Importance of water tank refurbishment

Potable water is the term used to define safe drinking water. To be called such water needs to be of a sufficiently high quality, which is free from any harmful organisms, impurities or other pollutants. Potable water stored in water storage tanks designed and maintained to meet all Regulations governing the storage of water.

Over time water storage tanks need to be refurbished due to rust formation, bacteria colonisation, lime scale and debris accumulation. Water hygiene is an important part of maintenance. 

There are different types of storage tanks all designed for specific purposes and generally dependent on what they are needed for. Many large water storage tanks are made of galvanised steel and lined with a rubber liner to contain the water and minimise the onset of corrosion. This type of tank refurbishment is straightforward with just the liner needing replacing with either a Butyl or EDPM rubber liner material.

Russetts Development offers a comprehensive water tank refurbishment service.

Tank refurbishment vs replacement

Refurbishment or replacement is an essential process water storage tank owners are likely to undertake at one point or another. As with any industrial enhancement project, a water tank will not last indefinitely – it is only through regular maintenance that you can benefit from safe water storage in the long run.

There are a few difficulties associated with the repair of a water tank. The first and most obvious is what to do with the contents of the tank, then there are questions regarding the treatment of cracks, corrosion, leaks, replacing liners, cleaning the sidewalls and so on. The internal surfaces of steel and galvanised steel water storage tanks often become corroded due to the natural break-down of previously applied coatings. It is also important that the water retaining structure doesn't leach unwanted chemicals or toxins into the tank contents.

If you need advice on how best to go about getting maximum usage from your water tank by keeping it in good condition and saving time and money on refurbishment rather than replacement, we hope this article provides answers.

Water tank liners – the key to refurbishment

Let’s investigate the three most common issues that lead to the need for water tank refurbishment:

• Cracks in the sidewall. Depending on the material you select for your tank, sun damage and sudden impact may lead to cracks appearing in the tank itself.
• Leaks – these may arise due to corrosion when the lining perishes, or is not correctly installed. This leads to a weakening or straining of the material itself, before eventual collapse.
• Lining separation – If the lining is not correctly attached to the surface of the tank, it will peel away, which reduces the performance of the material as a whole

You may have noticed that the apart from the first item on the list, the most common problems arising from water tanks pertain to the material used to line them. The lining serves numerous roles – it prevents the liquid from damaging the sidewalls, it helps strengthen the actual shape of the container and it prevents leaks when the walls begin to deteriorate.

Refurbishment of your water tank must start with the expert installation of a high-quality liner. At Russetts Developments Limited, we have over 20 years’ experience in the fabrication, supply and even installation of the best quality lining across a broad spectrum of products. Not only do we offer various materials, from Butyl and EPDM, we also work across a variety of industries, so we know how to handle work of any scale, including all the challenges associated with water tank repair and refurbishment.

Once you have selected the correct lining, refurbishing your water tank becomes easy. In many cases, a new liner will fix leaks, but it is always useful to take the time to fix individual cracks and weak points whilst the tank is empty –a secondary tank may be the solution if you are dealing with vast volumes.

For more information on how to correctly repair your water tank, contact us today.