What To Do With A Leaking Cold Water Tank?

Leaks can be an issue across a range of cold water tanks, including steel tanks, concrete tanks, GRP tanks and cooling towers. Unfortunately, a leak can compromise the potable water as well as costing you a lot of money if it isn’t addressed promptly.

In this blog, we’re sharing our advice on what you should do with a leaking cold water tank.

What Causes Leaks?

The main cause of a leak within a cold water tank is corrosion. This is particularly popular with steel and galvanised steel tanks that have been in use for many years.

Erosion of pipes is also a common cause of leaks. Concrete tanks and cooling towers can also experience corrosion, which creates holes and causes leaks.

If you don’t fix a leak, your cold water tank will not meet hygiene standards or water safety regulations, creating a mountain of problems further down the line.

Contact A Water Tank Specialist

If you suspect a leak, your cold water tank will need an inspection immediately. This should be carried out by a specialist water hygiene contractor. Opt for a water hygiene contractor that has plenty of experience and can offer a bespoke solution.

Choose a water tank specialist that offers a range of services, including repairs, relines, modifications and replacements. Otherwise, you may end up forking out for a brand new cold water tank when all you really needed was a tank repair.

Each cold water tank is different but most can be repaired as long as the tank is still structurally sound. (If a water hygiene contractor tells you that you need a new tank, it might be worth getting a second option).

At Cold Water Storage, we offer both water tank repairs and replacements, so we give non-biased advice. With more than 30 years of experience, we always aim to provide a bespoke and affordable service. Our team will carry out an initial survey and then give you a choice of options.

Repair The Leak vs Replace The Tank

As mentioned previously, most cold water tanks can be repaired if you have the right knowledge and skill. A repair is usually the best option as it is more affordable and prolongs the life of your existing tank, plus, it minimises downtime.

For example, if the leak was caused by correction, we might repair it with the following process:

• Remove all the scale corrosion from the sides of the tank and dispose of it.
• Shot blast abrasion to all the internal surfaces and then vacuum out debris.
• Weld repair all holes in the tank.

Following repairs of this kind, we then reline the cold water tank to extend the life of the tank (for at least 10 years) and ensure the tank meets hygiene standards.

The tank relining product we use at Cold Water Storage offers a flexible lining and coating specifically designed for water tanks. It is a Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) approved solvent-free polyurethane coating intended for relining potable and drinking water tanks.

This clever lining and coating provides fantastic future protection against erosion and corrosion.

Alternatively, if upon inspection, it is found that your cold water tank is no longer structurally sound, we may offer a replacement. We will only ever recommend a replacement if we strongly believe it is the best option.

The Cold Water Storage team will remove your existing tank and install a GRP cold water tank. Manufactured in Britain, GRP tanks are built from WRAS approved sectional GRP panels approved for potable water storage. This tough and durable material will last for years to come.

The Cold Water Storage Promise

Before we set about repairing or replacing your leaking water tank, we can install a temporary mains bypass or a temporary tanked system. This will ensure continuity of water supply and limit any downtime.

Cold Water Storage also promises to manage the project repair, reline or replacement project from start to finish. Our experienced in house project managers will spec out the work, develop Risk Assessments and Method Statements and provide a timetable for delivery before closely overseeing the project.

Then, upon completion, the project manager will provide you with signed paperwork and a full completion report with photographic evidence. This gives you peace of mind that the work has been carried out to the initial specification.

Check out our range of case studies to view projects, repairs and replacements we have successfully carried out in the past.

Get In Touch

If you have a leaking cold water tank, get in touch with Cold Water Storage today. You can call us on 0113 229 5062, email us at info@coldwaterstorage.co.uk or fill out our online contact form.