also check out my post here
http://www.howtomendit.com/answers.php?id=164444
LTGF
August 2008
turn the mains water off to your house is the simplest way, or tie the ball cock up that is in the tank than drain it. some installation have a isolation valve on the cold water feed pipe to the header tank(loft tank/not cylinder) draining is the easy part, filling it back up usually causes promblems. See how you go on, I'll book mark this page so if you need any more info, post a reply o this page.
LTGF
August 2008
I can answer this question...
stop water on c heating hot water tank so can replace seal?