James A. Wood
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Visalia, California
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« on: August 17, 2011, 11:06:29 PM » |
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I found this tank in a wall my client had opened up in this house that is about 75 years old. The house is in one of the older original neighborhoods in town. Has anyone else seen one of these and could you tell me what was used for? It has an inlet and outlet on the top, one with a valve that is opened and closed by pulling a chain attached to a horizontal bar on the valve. Looks to me like it was used for water. (See attached photo)
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Dominic Maricic
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« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2011, 02:09:30 AM » |
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I'd say it's a gas tank for an electric welding machine.
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« Last Edit: August 18, 2011, 05:25:21 PM by Dominic Maricic »
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Stephen Stanczyk
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« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2011, 03:38:49 AM » |
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75 year old home. Wait for a while. Bob will be here shortly and let you know. He is the only one that was around at that time....  |
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There is nothing sweeter than the smell of fresh cut grass on a baseball infield, the click of a wooden bat and the taste of a hot dog at a warm sunny daytime double-header.
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James A. Wood
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« Reply #4 on: August 18, 2011, 08:38:07 AM » |
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The tank is galvanized and has welded seam so it can't handle the high pressure of a gas welding cylinder. There is a water pipe near the base of the tank. It might be a reserve water storage tank or a pressure balancing tank. But not certain.
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Jeffrey R. Jonas
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« Reply #5 on: August 18, 2011, 11:15:59 AM » |
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I see these and similar every now and then. Without being there in person for a 'hands on', this could be a hot water holding/or/pressure tank for a boiler system. Did/does the home have radiators? Typically nowadays you will see the newer tanks installed hanging from the floor joists above the boiler itself. Resembles an old vehicle gas tank. The tank style pictured was used approx. 70-100 years ago. Before that, they were these big monster cast iron units. Dom... I believe "Electra-Weld" is only in welding supply related businesses now, but they were heavily involved in the building of welded pressure tanks, or should I say 'vessels' in the old days.  Yes, Bob probably see's a lot more of these than I do, being in the big city and all. |
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Jeffrey R. Jonas 507.213.7468 nspector.jeff@gmail.com Owatonna Minnesota Home InspectorURL : www.owatonnahomeinspector.com Title: Critical Eye Property Inspections Description: Providing home inspections in all of Southern Minnesota, including: Owatonna, Waseca, Mankato, Faribault, Northfield, Elko, Cannon Falls, Red Wing, Mantorville, Byron, Rochester, Stewartville, Austin, Albert Lea, Ellendale, and New Richland. Keywords: Owatonna Waseca Mankato Faribault Rochester Minnesota URL Path: owatonna-waseca-faribault-rochester-minnesota-home-inspector.html |
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James A. Wood
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« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2011, 01:56:51 PM » |
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I think that sounds logical Jeffrey, I am not doing the inspection on this house and the house has been remodeled and updated several times. I will investigate more and see if there are or have been any radiators in the house. Thanks for your insight.
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Bob Elliott
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« Reply #7 on: August 18, 2011, 05:40:13 PM » |
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I have no idea and am also wondering what the circular object on the left is as it appears to have been a port into the home at one time. Which room is this behind? How many stories tall is the home as it may have been used for water pressure? I do not see why they would hide an expansion tank. Other wise just go with Nitrous oxide.  |
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Jeffrey R. Jonas
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« Reply #8 on: August 18, 2011, 06:27:03 PM » |
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Bob, it sorta resembles Transite, so am assuming it is where the boiler flue exited the home.
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Jeffrey R. Jonas 507.213.7468 nspector.jeff@gmail.com Owatonna Minnesota Home InspectorURL : www.owatonnahomeinspector.com Title: Critical Eye Property Inspections Description: Providing home inspections in all of Southern Minnesota, including: Owatonna, Waseca, Mankato, Faribault, Northfield, Elko, Cannon Falls, Red Wing, Mantorville, Byron, Rochester, Stewartville, Austin, Albert Lea, Ellendale, and New Richland. Keywords: Owatonna Waseca Mankato Faribault Rochester Minnesota URL Path: owatonna-waseca-faribault-rochester-minnesota-home-inspector.html |
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Bob Elliott
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« Reply #9 on: August 18, 2011, 06:47:46 PM » |
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OK
Columbo. Lol
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James A. Wood
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Visalia, California
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« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2011, 06:54:41 PM » |
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The cavity where the tank was found backs up to the living room and it is a single story house. There is a transite vent pipe that is to the right of it that come from under the floor and goes through the ceiling. There is also a brick flue chase above the tank but I don't think it has anything to do with the tank. Above the tank in the brick is a chase through the brick for a stove pipe that is sealed off. Thanks for all your input on this, I will be there again in a few days and will get more info to put up here for discussion.
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James A. Wood
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Visalia, California
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« Reply #11 on: August 18, 2011, 06:58:05 PM » |
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I just had another thought. Maybe they were moonshiners and this was part of a still during prohibition.
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Gary L. Rusk
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« Reply #12 on: August 19, 2011, 06:46:50 AM » |
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Jeffrey is right on, I see 10 - 15 of those a year, most are not in use. They have been replaced with forced air so the home owner can have their AC.
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Gary
HSS Property Inspection & Consulting
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