Storage tanks handle all types of liquids, from basic H20 to harsh chemicals. They’re designed to last, but even the best products can leak or rust from exposure to the elements or because of age. When a tank needs repairs, you can try to patch it, but those types of repairs may not be permanent. As an alternate to replacing the tank, fiberglass liner repair may be just what you need to get up to 20 more years of use out of the tank. Read more »
When selecting a water storage tank and tank linings for your business or residential property, you will need to weigh a variety of factors. One of the most important details is the location of your tank. Specifically, you can choose to have a water tank placed above ground or underneath the ground surface. Aboveground and underground tanks each offer an array of pros and cons, so consider the following before you decide. Read more »
Pipe infrastructure is designed to last a long time, but they weren’t necessarily designed to handle modern water usage. When tanks or pipes need repair, consider fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) to handle tank rehabilitation. Read more »
Water is vital to our lives. Reportedly, 327 billion gallons of water are used daily in the U.S. Water storage tanks are widely used commercially for purposes that include drinking water, fire suppression, agriculture, food manufacturing, and chemical manufacturing, among many others. Many municipalities utilize commercial water storage tanks to service their water needs.
Epoxy pipe lining is a popular alternative to replacing old pipes. The epoxy coats the old sewer pipe, creating a new pipe with minimal digging and inconvenience. In theory, commercial epoxy liner repairs make sense. In practice, there are many things to keep in mind about the advantages and disadvantages. Here are some things to know.
Many older water towers are included in heritage listings as historically significant, making people think that current water towers are becoming obsolete. Water towers hold water for community use, but they actually do much more than simply hold water. Let’s talk about how a water tower works and when you might need a coatings contractor in the Bay Area. Read more »
While a well-constructed and maintained domestic water tank can last for decades, eventually, even the best tanks may develop issues that require professional attention. In this article, you’ll learn some signs tank repairs are necessary and how to be proactive on dealing with them. Read more »
Fiberglass tanks bring a host of benefits to property owners and managers. And when it comes time to repair one, the tank rehabilitation process can be easy and relatively downtime-free. This article looks at specific reasons why fiberglass tanks bring so much to the table and why Picon, a Bay Area coatings contractor, recommends them. Read more »
Fiberglass-reinforced plastics (FRPs) are composite materials used in commercial and industrial applications. FRPs have been used for many years to repair or reline tanks that hold water or other chemicals, but there are many other uses of this strong and corrosive-resistant material. A coatings contractor in the Bay Area can help you use FRP in your applications and make FRP repairs. Read more »
Over time, concrete infrastructure can deteriorate because of factors such as weather conditions and corrosive substances. While this does present some challenges, like the potential for tank downtime, there are also tank repair methods that can greatly lessen the pain.
The Challenges
Concrete tanks play many infrastructural roles, with some primary ones being storing drinking water, fire suppression water, or wastewater for a municipality. In the case of drinking and fire water tanks, the climate can pose a challenge: Freeze-thaw cycles are just one way that changing temperatures can stress concrete, eventually necessitating tank leak repair. Other potential issues include spalling, which is the development of flaking, or crack formation, which may be the culprit of shifting soil. And wastewater tanks may face even more issues, as the abrasive chemicals necessary to treat human waste can also inflict stress on the tanks charged with wastewater storage.
Many of today’s public and commercial water tanks have been in service for decades, giving the aforementioned forces plenty of time to cause damage. And because of the critical roles tanks play, no matter the type of water they store, project planners can understandably be hesitant to undertake water tank repairs or replacements that will knock the infrastructure out of service for an extended period. As an example, tanks that store fire suppression water can’t safely go out of service for long—but at the same time, maintenance projects are necessary to keep them in good shape.
Overcoming the Challenges
One option to deal with an aging tank is to replace it entirely. That may be a good option for particularly aged tanks, but it can also be time consuming and expensive.
Luckily, there are less burdensome repair routes, which involves techniques like the installation of liners and coatings. By applying a lining to a degraded portion of a tank, professional installers can often extend the tank’s life. Coatings, meanwhile, provide an extra layer of protection. Oftentimes, once a crew has access to a tank, such projects can be completed in under 24 hours, letting the tank move back into service quickly.
No matter the methods the project ends up using, it’s important to contact professionals before a tank degrades too much. Setting up a tank inspection is a good first step.
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