Draining cold water tank in loft

Metal tank?,ideally it would better replacing it,with a new one that complies with Byelaw 30 UK,Byelaw 60 in Scotland ,it will then have a snap on lid,etc.
You will never get the exsisting 100% clean.



Byelaw 30, is a legal requirement in the UK, so your landlord is require to sort the problem.
If the water supplier considers that there is a significant risk of water being contaminated or wasted by these fittings (even if they complied with Water Supply Byelaws in force at the time they were installed) the water supplier can insist on improvements.

 

It is a criminal offence to breach the regulations and offenders may face prosecution, your landlord has a legal requirment to sort the problem.

 

Throughly clean it, should be able to get a lid or make one from a bit of ply to keep crud out.

The brown stuff from bath cold tap could from rusty pipes, it fed from the mains, not the header tank, which feeds your hot water cylinder.

 

Use a sponge to wipe it all out. dont do the small one though as thats for your central heating.
The brown water is usually a sign that there is galvanised iron pipes somewhere in your hot water system. I removed this one just last week.

 

wet & dry vac is great for cleaning out water tanks.

 

Yuck .

 

No grit should be there,unlikely you get rid of all of it.

But, if water board repairs their water main, then ocassionally you might a get bit of grit, even if they flush their pipes.

 

Can't have a airlock, as it's fed direct from water main.

Stop cock fully on.

I prefer to use Full Bore ball valves ¼ turn operation, instead of traditional stopcock.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/full-bore-lever-ball-valve-15mm/80413

 

Close it and open it again. See if it helps.

Mr. HandyAndy - Really

 

Stop cocks can cause all sort of problems.

 

I am totally satisfied with your comment.

 

Your landlord is responsible for a water hygiene regime to be put in place at your property. This is covered by acop l8, hsg274. Ideally your cwst should be inspected every 6 months and if there is debris present that can feed microbial growth or if there is evidence of water stagnation (biofilm) then the tank should be cleaned and disinfected, consider reduction of stored water if stagnation is occurring. The water should also be at a maximum of 20 degrees c. I work in this area and clean tanks regularly, also carry out remedial works on water systems after a water systems risk assessment has been carried out. Something else your landlord should have in place. All the relevant info can be found on the HSE website I believe.
There are a few methods of cleaning and disinfection to consider but you should isolate the feed to a hot water cylinder or make sure it's switched off and cold if using chemicals as they can damage the heating elements if exposed when hot. Hot water cylinders should be set at 60-65 degrees c to kill off any bacteria, and a blow down of the cylinder performed periodically. Hope this helps

 

The OP hasn't been seen for the last two and a half years and is missing in action - possibly as a result of drinking the water.