I have a tank in the attic and it has a copper drain pipe that goes through the studs to the basement. Water has begun to drip down the drain pipe. What is the tank and why is water coming out of the drain pipe? We are on public water and the house is on a hill. Thanks


I want to add to my question the fact that the water heater is in the garage.

Please explain in more detail. That "copper drain pipe" sounds like a supply to me. Is there a booster pump involved? What does the copper pipe connect to in the basement? What's your house PSI?
Back to you, tom

PM, is there an old well on your property?

I haven't crossed the attic crawl space for fear of slipping off a rafter and breaking drywall, but, this copper pipe connects from the tank and goes down to the basement. It is an open pipe with nothing at it's end. That is why, I think it is a drain or overflow pipe. There never was a well on this property.

It looks like a pressure tank, about 30-36 inches high and 18 in diameter.

I think SB is probably right. Sounds like an old pressure tank which was no longer needed at some point and disconnected. What you are seeing is probably the old supply line. Is that the only line coming into/out of the tank?

The other possibility is that this is an old water heater and what you are seeing is the drain pipe for the PRV. But I would think that to be unlikely.

My question is this: What's feeding the whatever kind of tank it is to make it drain?

I will let you know as soon as I get to the tank. If I shut the water off to the house, drip stops.

Are you in the UK or USA?

Take a picture of it and post it. Thanks...

What's supplying the attic tank? Does it have a shut off valve on the supply line? Any other pipes involved? WE need more details about the tank and the pipes connected to it. Good luck, Tom