5 Reasons Why You Should Clean Your Galvanised Water Tanks

Galvanised steel water tanks are incredibly useful for storing large quantities of water safely, which can then be used for a number of different things.

These water tanks are reliable and tough and have quite an impressive functionality period. The coating on these steel tanks is galvanised (hence their name), preventing the tank from any premature rust and corrosion.

However, that coating alone is not enough to protect water tanks completely. They need to be very well maintained in order to continue extending its lifespan. Using the correct methods and products is essential for an unbeatable service of maintenance to your tank.

This Cold Water Storage blog, we’re going to tell you why you should clean your galvanised water tank and explain why tank maintenance is so important.

Why Your Galvanised Tank Needs Maintenance

When getting a galvanised steel tank installed, the tank itself comes with an inner poly lining that provides additional protection against stored rainwater. So it limits the amount of rust and corrosion that can develop.

This lining also helps to prevent leaks at the weak points in steel tanks, the welded joints, as well as preventing zinc from mixing in rainwater that produces a metallic taste.

Sometimes, the lining can become dislodged so the material of the tank can come into contact with other metals. Then galvanic corrosion can occur, reducing the usefulness of the tank. Therefore, maintenance is incredibly important. Not just for cleaning the tank but also for checking the components to make sure they’re not damaged and functioning well.

Reasons Why You Should Clean Your Water Tank

Water tank cleaning is an essential part of tank maintenance, water hygiene, and Legionella control. Over time, multiple harmful materials can build up in the water tank which otherwise could be avoided through regular and thorough assessments.

Here’s 5 reasons why you should be cleaning your galvanised water tanks.

1.     Growth of Harmful Microbes

Water is already susceptible to biological contaminants so when other factors are involved, like rainwater or a storage tank, this susceptibility increases massively.

Even with a filtration system, foreign particles aren’t completely eliminated. Especially not if your tank is grimy and dirty.

Left uncleaned, your water supply is more easily polluted with bacteria, parasites, and other foreign materials that can cause diseases or water-borne infections.

2.     Impurities Build Up Quickly

Humidity can cause even stainless steel water tanks to catch dust and dirt. They may sound harmless but they can actually cause quite serious harm to you and others around you. Regular cleaning is completely necessary to decrease the risk of this build up.

It will reduce the amount of sediment and silt in your water tanks, things that often cause tank corrosion as well as irreparable damage to the structure of your tank.

3.     Restricted Water Filtration Process

A build-up of impurities doesn’t just cause harm to individuals but also the tank.

Many individuals believe that because their tank has a water filtration system, the water is always safe. But if the tank is in bad shape and the water is contaminated, the filter won’t be performing at its best.

In fact, any dirt or sediment in your water can build up inside the filter and cause the efficiency of it to be reduced. An underperforming water filter means that water isn’t being maintained well inside the tank independently from you assessing it, altering the condition of it from perhaps safe to unsafe.

4.     Bad Quality Overall

Interiorly, algae builds up inside the tank and sediment builds up at the bottom of the unit. In turn, this can cause water in your tap to be of poor quality. It will smell bad and won’t look clean.

Bacteria that breeds inside water tanks also yields other by-products like gases and chemicals. These by-products can generate foul odours in the water supply coming through from the tank.

Foul smelling odours and murky colouration of your water can indicate that it is polluted and that your tank needs cleaning.

5.     Rust and Corrosion

Not cleaning your tank doesn’t necessarily lead to rust and corrosion. However, without cleaning your tank, you also won’t be performing regular assessments and check-ups.

Cleaning regularly isn’t just a chance to assess the quality of the water and control hygiene but also to assess the tank structurally. If there’s any damage occurring by rust and corrosion or cracks and leaks. Even checking for other signs of wear and tear is possible.

Issues like these can still contribute to the water hygiene, not just bacteria growth. Namely because these issues can also be a cause of bacterial growth. So maintenance checks and cleaning actually give you the opportunity to analyse the condition of your entire tank rather than just its contents.

Cleaning Extends Tank Life

A galvanised steel water tank that is being consistently maintained year-round, scheduled with periodical intervals, too, extends its life.

It decreases the probability of tank damage and averts potential plumbing issues caused by blockages and leaks. And perhaps a top priority fact for some – it saves you time and money on repairs and replacements.

Your water tanks should be put through an intensive cleaning process every six months at least, per the standard recommended period of time.

Get In Touch with Cold Water Storage

Food for thought: Our spray-applied Polyurea coating is waterproof and offers exceptional protection against bacterial growth and corrosion. It’s the ideal solution when it comes to water tank protection.

And thanks to our 30 years’ worth of knowledge and experience in the water hygiene industry, we can guarantee expertise here at Cold Water Storage.

As well as an intensive Legionella risk assessment, we also provide water treatment services. We want to make sure that you’re complying with the water hygiene regulations.

If you would like to get in touch with our team, call us on 01943 872 311. Or you can send us an email at info@coldwaterstorage.co.uk. We’ll respond as soon as possible.