Burlington / JcSwr / Lawley / Levern Pattern Cistern Restoration:

I offer restoration services for cast iron high level cisterns. To remove all rust, service existing fittings, remove old paint, repair small cracks and holes. This is the restoration process for the cisterns. The restoration process is scheduled to take no longer than 2 weeks. The cost per cistern at present for a standard restoration is £200, plus 45p per mile if to collect and remove. If required, a temporary well bottomed Dauntless Rubberline / Shires Rubberwell cistern could be loaned out, and fitted in place for an extra £100. However, if components are in need of replacing or recasting. Replacement fittings such as levers / bell syphons will be done by a local foundry, for the cost of recasting + 20% extra for travel.

2025 Prices:
- Lawley Lever: £80
- Burlington 3 Gal Lever: £130

If the desired cistern for restoration ends up becoming a very expensive process. A replacement cistern may be offered at a part exchange price, as long as the old cistern gets sent up to my workshop for any potential spares that maybe worth keeping for future projects. 

Once the cisterns are stripped, they then get finished with red oxide primer inside and out. In some instances, for exceptionally rusty cisterns, an additional coat of bitumen or a two piece epoxy tank liner gets coated on the inside. If any paints are recommended for the exterior. Send me the desired product, colour, and I will charge for the cost of paint as shown on the invoice + £50 for the additional time spent on the cistern. 

Please note: No modern products can prevent the cistern from rusting ever again wether or not that will be 50 years into the future, many painted cast iron cisterns were lead red oxide primed when new, plus a lead top coat was done for the outside. The best surviving examples consist of cast iron cisterns that were hot dipped galvanized when new. Every now and then, I will find an unrestored galvanized cistern that does not have a single bit of rust, inside and outside. However, I am not sure what the cost of galvanizing is at present, this is an area I need to look into.