Want Radiators higher than water tank is this possible?

[Diamond1]

We have recently purchased a property with a loft conversion that doesn't have radiators, the watertank is in the bathroom and a plumber said we could have a ball fitted to the water tank and then have two radiators upstairs and this is a cheaper option than having a combi boiler. Is this possible and it is safe or are we just wasting 500 quid?

[gasman]

I would not go for it personally i despise these gravity/phisic defying gadgets. that can and do go wrong all the time. it would be far cheaper to raise the header tank and site it as high as possible in a purpose made high level cupboard.

[Diamond1]

Thank you gasman for your reply, I have looked in the bathroom and there is only the cyclinder there. In the loft there is 1 tank is that the 'header' tank? What does a header tank look like and how big would it be? If it is the header tank then why would the plumber say I needed a ball also the tank an overflow pipe on the inside and he said he would put it through the wall on the outside is he ripping me off I don't understand!

Thanx :)

[gasman]

You should have two header tanks they are mostley plastic now a days black in colour, rectangular and one will be quite large approx 3ftx2ftx2ft ish this one will be for you're hot water and will supply the hotwater cylinder in you're airing cupboard. There should also be a small header tank probably next to the large one and maybe hiding behind it out of site !!! This will only be approx 18inch long and a foot high and wide. This will be you're central heating header tank and as long as it is higher than any radiator fitted then you will be ok. So have another good look round and see if you can see the small header tank and if it is 1 meter higher than where you want to put a radiator by aprox a min of 1meter then fine. if it is too low then simply raise it to the higest location possible. The overflow pipe from both header tanks should terminate to an outside location where water damage would not occur to property or furniture or be a problem in the event of a future ball valve failure and resulting in an overflowing header tank.

[mjmills]

Always thought the heating system is a low pressure pumped system 200pa and that height of rads over the water tank will make no difference.

How water is of course a different matter.