Water tanks experience natural deterioration over years of use, which can progress to the point where it seems obvious to buy a new water tank, rather than attempt to fix the one you have. But as the saying goes; ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. But if it is broke, should you replace it?
In this article, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of buying a new water tank and evaluate whether it’s actually worth it or whether water tank lining can solve all your problems.
Why do water tanks deteriorate?
Water tanks, especially those made of galvanised steel, are susceptible to rusting and corrosion due to the combination of the constant presence of water within the tank, internal temperatures, and the growth of bacteria.
Rust
Rust weakens metal by reducing its overall mass, and deteriorates concrete by imparting tensile stresses that cause it to expand and crack. Depending on the length of time rust is allowed to develop, the more irreversible and detrimental this damage is.
Aside from rust, other elements can affect the condition of your water tank. Another detrimental element is algae.
Algae
Algae essentially consume the metal inside your tank, which can cause immense structural damage if left to breed. Algae are usually introduced to water tanks through organic matter. So it can be difficult to control the ingress of it. But with regular maintenance, eradicating the problem before it takes hold is easy.
Sediment
Sediment tends to form in hot metal water tanks and boilers. This is due to the build-up of naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium, which settle at the base of the water tank and harden.
Sediment build-up can be difficult to detect, but some of the most common indications are fluctuating water temperatures and rising energy bills. As sediment builds up, your tank will be forced to work harder to function normally and remain unaffected by the sediment.
If your water tank is constantly overworking, it may eventually completely break or be forever altered in terms of its efficiency. So it’s important to have your water tank regularly checked by a qualified professional.
Improperly Installed Water Tank Lining
Water tank lining is integral to maintaining your water tank, and should always be installed in a new water tank as a preventative measure for the problems we discussed above. However, if your water tank lining isn’t installed properly, this could cause problems of its own.
Water tank lining is made from a mixture of chemicals that can accelerate the rate of deterioration if not allowed to adhere and dry properly after installation.
These chemicals can impact all types of water tanks, and encourage corrosion rather than prevent it.
There are many reasons why a water tank may deteriorate, and most of them are naturally occurring.
So is it worth buying a new water tank, only for these problems to persist, or is it worth endeavouring to target the source of the problems and solve them in your existing water tank?
The Benefits of Buying a new Water Tank
Deciding whether to purchase a new water tank or simply go to the effort to fix your old one can be a costly choice. However, it should be noted that installing a new water tank will be considerably more expensive than targeting the source of your problems. However, there is more to this decision than cost.
Compliance
Many water tank replacements are done due to older models no longer remaining in compliance with HSE or WRAS regulations. These acronyms define a list of safety requirements that your water tank has to meet. If your older water tank no longer meets these requirements, you could be putting yourself and those who visit your building at risk.
So, buying a new water tank will ensure complete compliance with these regulations.
Energy Efficiency
As technology rapidly advances and we discover ways to achieve even more optimal energy efficiency, your old water tank may be more outdated than you realise.
Older machinery of any sort is likely to use more energy than a newer model. So, buying a new water tank could save you money on operating costs in the long run.
Space efficiency
Older water tanks tend to be far larger to hold the machinery that powers them.
But modern water tanks are far smaller in size and require less room to function, allowing you more space to occupy with the things you need.
However, despite these savings on cost and space, deciding to purchase a new water tank isn’t necessarily as simple as that.
The Negatives of Buying a new Water Tank
Buying a new water tank may seem like an easy fix on the surface. But commissioning a full restoration and relining of your water tank is more beneficial as a long-term solution.
Initial Cost
To have your water tanks replaced, you could be faced with a bill of several thousand pounds. High-quality water tanks aren’t cheap, and you may notice a gap in your wallet for a while.
Downtime
Should you choose to replace your old water tank and install a new one, excavation work may be required. Unless you have a backup source of water in place, your building will be without water until the replacement tank is installed.
Absence of lining
If you choose to install a new tank, it will likely arrive without water tank lining installed. Although you may have a warranty for the tank itself, the lifespan it could achieve will be hindered by the absence of water tank lining, which is used to enhance the durability of your tank.
Why Install Lining Instead of a Replacement?
Water tank lining provides a protective barrier between the walls of your water tank and the contaminants that naturally occur in the water. Its purpose is to increase the lifespan of your water tank, which it achieves very successfully.
The installation of water tank lining after a complete restoration will be far cheaper than replacing your entire tank and give you more years of use with your current water tank than you thought it had in it.
In addition to this, there are several reasons why we would recommend having lining installed as opposed to completely replacing your tank.
Bacteria control
If your water tank has been experiencing problems due to the build-up of bacteria and mould growth within. The water tank lining will target the problem at the source and control bacterial growth inside your tank.
We use our very own solution, Acothane DW to line all the water tanks we work on. This is a specially designed solution suitable for all types of water tanks that prevents bacteria from growing on the walls of your tanks.
Lessened downtime
The process of installing tank lining takes far less time than a complete replacement would. So if your building is dependent on your water tank for any reason, we guarantee that we’ll have you back up and running quickly.
How can COVAC Help?
Here at COVAC, our team of expertly qualified water tank experts can assist with installing water tank lining and refurbishing your tank quickly, confidently, and for competitive prices. We have over 25 years of experience in the industry and have built an outstanding reputation with our customers for providing long-term anti-leaking, corrosion, and erosion solutions.
If you’re interested in finding out more about our services and what we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us now!
