Asbestos water tank and cistern removal
We remove asbestos-cement cold-water tanks and cisterns from lofts across London. When a tank is too large for the hatch, we cut it in situ under wet suppression — the method that keeps fibre release to a minimum. UKATA-trained, fully insured, licensed waste disposal.
Asbestos water tank removal
Asbestos-cement cold-water tanks were a standard fitting in UK loft spaces from the 1940s through to the early 1980s. In good condition and left undisturbed, they pose little immediate risk. The problem comes when they need to come out — and the most common complication is that the tank was installed before the loft hatch was fitted, making it physically impossible to remove in one piece.
When a tank cannot be removed whole, it must be cut in situ. That is where training and method matter. Cutting dry asbestos-cement releases fibres into the loft space and, if the hatch is open, into the rest of the property. We use wet-cutting throughout, with continuous water suppression at the cutting point, RPE rated to FFP3 as a minimum, and a sealed work area. The HSE Asbestos Essentials task sheet A15 covers this specific operation and confirms it is non-licensed work when carried out correctly.
Asbestos-cement tanks fall under CAR 2012 as a non-licensed asbestos-containing material. No HSE licence is required for removal, but the work must be carried out by trained operatives using the correct method and the waste must be disposed of through a licensed carrier. We handle all three.
What this service covers
Cold-water tank removal (whole or in situ)
Where the tank fits through the hatch, we remove it intact. Where it does not, we section it in situ using wet-cutting methods under a contained work area.
Cistern removal
Smaller asbestos-cement cisterns — including toilet cisterns in older properties — are removed whole and double-wrapped for disposal.
Loft clearance after removal
After the tank is out, we vacuum the loft space using an H-class vacuum to remove any residual dust, then wipe down surfaces before leaving.
Licensed waste disposal
All asbestos waste is double-wrapped, labelled, and transported to a licensed disposal site. You receive the consignment note as proof of legal disposal.
Sampling and identification
If you are unsure whether your tank is asbestos-cement, we can take a sample during the site visit and have it analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory before any removal work begins.
Replacement coordination
We remove the old tank and leave the space clear. If you need a replacement plastic cistern fitted, we can coordinate that as part of the same visit.
From our work
The tank that had been there since the house was built
We were called to a 1960s semi in Bromley where the homeowner had just had a new boiler fitted and the plumber had told them the loft tank needed to come out. It was a large rectangular asbestos-cement tank — roughly 900mm × 600mm × 450mm — sitting on a timber frame in the apex of the loft. The hatch opening was 550mm × 750mm. The tank was not going through the hatch in one piece.
We set up a mini-enclosure around the tank using polythene sheeting taped to the rafters, put on FFP3 respirators, and began wet-cutting the tank into sections small enough to pass through the hatch. The water suppression was continuous throughout — a fine mist at the cutting line, not a flood. Each section was wrapped immediately as it came free, passed down through the hatch, and double-bagged at the bottom. The whole job took about four hours. The loft was vacuumed with an H-class machine before we left.
The homeowner had been told by two other contractors that the tank "couldn't be removed without making a mess." It can be — it just requires the right method and the patience to do it properly.
How we remove an asbestos water tank
Site survey
We visit the property, confirm the tank material (sampling if required), measure the tank and hatch, and decide whether whole removal or in-situ sectioning is needed.
Containment setup
We seal the work area with polythene sheeting and set up a negative-pressure mini-enclosure around the tank to contain any dust generated during cutting.
Removal or sectioning
Where the tank fits through the hatch, we remove it whole. Where it does not, we section it in situ using wet-cutting, wrapping each section immediately as it comes free.
Clearance and disposal
We vacuum the loft with an H-class machine, wipe down surfaces, and transport all waste to a licensed disposal site. You receive the consignment paperwork.
Why choose Diamond for water tank removal
We know the hatch problem
Most asbestos-cement tanks in pre-1985 properties were installed before the loft hatch was fitted. We plan for in-situ sectioning from the outset — it is not a surprise on the day.
Wet-cutting as standard
We do not dry-cut asbestos. Wet suppression at the cutting line is non-negotiable on every job, regardless of how small the tank is.
UKATA-trained operatives
All operatives hold current UKATA training certification for non-licensed asbestos work.
Licensed waste disposal included
The consignment note is part of the job, not an add-on. You receive proof of legal disposal as standard.
Sampling before removal if needed
If there is any doubt about the material, we sample first and have it analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory before any removal work begins.
What affects the cost
For indicative costs, see our London asbestos removal cost guide. All jobs are quoted after a free site survey.
Related services
Asbestos cement sheeting & cladding removal
Removal of corrugated and flat asbestos-cement sheets from roofs, walls, and cladding.
Asbestos waste collection & disposal
Licensed collection, transport, and disposal of asbestos waste from residential and commercial properties.
Asbestos testing & sampling
UKAS-accredited laboratory analysis to confirm whether a material contains asbestos before removal.
Frequently asked questions
Need an asbestos water tank removed?
We cover all of London. Free site survey, same-week appointments, licensed waste disposal included.
182 Evelyn St, London SE8 5DB · Diamondasbestosr@gmail.com · Company No. 17239791