Cost of removing a water tank

Upgrading to a new heating system? Have an old or leaking water tank? Here, we'll look at the average cost to remove a water tank, including disposal.

If you’re upgrading to a new heating system - or your water tank is old or leaking - you’ll need to remove your old water tank. In rare cases, your water tank may even be made from hazardous materials such as lead or asbestos, in which case, removing it is essential.

In this guide, we’ll look at the average cost of removing a water tank, including disposal. We’ll also cover the cost of installing a combi boiler and removing a water tank at the same time.

How much does it cost to remove a water tank?

The cost of removing a water tank largely depends on where it is and how easy it is to access. Water tanks tend to be heavy and bulky, so it can be tricky to remove them. It can be especially difficult if they’re up in the loft.

And then there’s the expense of disposing of or scrapping the old tank. This should be included in the price you pay, but always make sure to ask in advance.

Cost to remove a cold water tank

If you have a conventional boiler, also known as a regular boiler, it will have both a cold water tank and a hot water cylinder (also called a hot water tank).

Your cold water tank feeds water into your hot water cylinder for your boiler to heat up when you need hot water. There's also an expansion tank to hold water if too much is heated up at once.

On average, you can expect to pay around £200 to £350 to remove a cold water tank. This includes tidying up any related pipework.

Cost to remove a hot water tank

Conventional boilers and system boilers both have a hot water cylinder, also known as a hot water tank. If you’re upgrading your heating system and no longer require your hot water cylinder, a professional can remove it for you.

Removing a hot water cylinder can cost between £100 and £170, depending on whether you’re removing it completely or simply replacing it.

Cost of installing a combi boiler and removing the water tank

Combi boilers are popular as they don't have a cold water tank or a hot water cylinder. This makes them ideal for smaller spaces.

To replace your heating system with an efficient new combi boilerand remove the old water tank, you can expect to pay around £2,800.

However, the total cost will depend on how complicated the job is and how easy or difficult access is. Your location can also be a factor, as heating engineers in London, for example, tend to charge more.

Cost to remove an old water tank from the loft

Cold water tanks are normally located in the loft. This can make them especially hard to access. After all, most loft spaces are accessed via a ladder and many aren't boarded, making them precarious for tradespeople.

Often, large water tanks will need to be cut up to fit through the loft hatch. This can be difficult and time-consuming as galvanised steel is tough to cut. If your tank is made from asbestos, on the other hand, it will need to be removed by professionals as this is a hazardous material. Read our guide to asbestos removal costs to learn more.

If you're not looking to convert your loft, the cheapest option could be to move your tank to a corner of your loft instead of removing it completely.

Either way, to get an accurate quote for the cost to remove an old water tank from your loft, reach out to the Checkatrade-approved Instaloft Ltd.

They'll advise you on the best option for your budget and your loft space.

FAQs

How long does it take to remove a water tank?

It usually takes less than a day to remove a water tank, assuming there are no access problems. On the other hand, it could take up to two and a half days to remove a water tank and install a combi boiler at the same time.

Can I remove a water tank myself?

If you have a crew of strong assistants to help you, and you know what you’re doing, you can remove a water tank yourself. However, we wouldn't recommend it. Water tanks tend to be heavy and awkward to remove, and scrapping them appropriately can be tricky due to their size. There’s also the issue of any remaining pipework, which will need to be tidied up properly to avoid leaks.