Removing a hot water tank?

Question

How heavy is a hot water tank. It has been emptied and ready to be disposed of. Problem is getting it downstairs. Would my other half and I mange it. Also would this be something the council would pick up

Answer 1

If it's a lagged copper cylinder, firstly don't let your local council take it, it's worth quite a lot in scrap terms, most common sizes are  36x18.

Take it along to your local scrap merchants, i think their current value is about £30.00 in London;  their's a copper shortage in the UK, at the moment, hence the good prices they are giving for scrap.

Syphon the water out with a hose pipe, (once the immersion as been removed that is) or drain it off from the drain off tap at the bottom of the cylinder.

Once empty the cylinder is quite light in terms of bulk weight, it's just a little cumbersome for one person to carry, and can be quite messy if there's a spillage.

Answer 2

2 people can move it no problem-set it out by street someone will pick it up for scrape metal

Answer 3

A hot water tank weighs about 80 pounds empty.you should be able to handle it.

Answer 4

Is it a direct or indirect?

If its indirect you will have to drain the coil which is part of the ch/hw circuit via the boiler.If its indirect you wont have to.

It will have a bit of water left in the bottom so be carefull but yes 2 people can lift them easily! Dont leave it for the council though! Its worth at least £20 -£30 at a scrap merchants!!

Answer 5

I think you can manage if you have or rent one of those heavy moving furniture dolly. Be sure you are behind the dolly as you move it down the stairs, not in front of it.

Answer 6

Check the weight first! I live in a chalky water area and my cylinder had a load of glass-like formation inside. It weighed a ton. If it is heavy you could hire an electric sheet metal 'nibbler' from a tool hire firm for half a day and cut it up into manageable pieces.

Answer 7

They're not heavy, assuming it's standard size (36x18) you should be able to manage it by yourself. If it's got foam insulation then knock it all off with a hammer or axe and take it to your local scrap metal merchant, copper prices are quite high at the moment, I weighed a standard cylinder in this afternoon and got 40 pounds so definitely not worth leaving it for the council to collect.

Answer 8

You & your other half will be able to carry it,but don't let the council collect it you can get about £30 scrap money for it  & the council would charge you £10 for taking it away but the blokes that take it would pocket the money