WATER TANK LINERS

TANK REPAIR OR REPLACE?

carsonadmin · May 2, 2023 ·

Tanks are used for various purposes, including storage of water, fuel, and chemicals. However, over time, tanks may experience wear and tear that can lead to leaks, cracks, and other issues. When faced with a damaged tank, property owners must decide: should they repair the tank or replace it altogether? Or is there another affordable solution?

Damaged tanks can be a big issue and an especially serious issue for industries that rely on them for storing high-volume liquids or gases. Leaks and cracks can lead to product loss, environmental damage, and costly repairs. However, instead of replacing the entire tank, dropping in a liner can be a more beneficial and cost-effective solution. Liners can be made from various materials such as PVC and various types of high-grade polyurethane, and are designed to fit snugly inside the tank, creating a barrier between the stored product and the damaged tank walls.

There are pros and cons to either option, and the decision will ultimately depend on a variety of factors, including the size and type of tank, the extent of the damage, and the property owner’s budget and timeline

Damaged tanks: Are there other alternatives?

One of the main benefits of using a liner is that it can extend the life of the damaged tank. Liners are designed to be durable and resistant to chemicals, abrasion, and temperature changes, providing a long-lasting solution to tank damage. Additionally, liners can be customized to fit any size or shape of the tank, meaning that tanks of any age or design can be repaired with this method. This can save companies a significant amount of money, as replacing a damaged tank can be a costly endeavor.

Dropping in a liner can be a quicker solution than replacing a damaged tank. Liners can be installed in a matter of days, depending on the size of the tank, whereas replacing a tank can take weeks or even months. This means that industries can quickly resume their operations without experiencing prolonged downtime. Overall, using a liner to repair a damaged tank can be a cost-effective, durable, and efficient solution that benefits both the environment and the bottom line of a business.

When to replace a tank

Repairing a tank is not always the best choice. Depending on the extent of the damage, repairing a tank may only be a temporary fix, and the tank may experience additional issues down the line. Additionally, depending on the size of the tank and the nature of the damage, permits may be required to complete the repairs, which can add time and cost to the process. The tank may require excavation and removal of the old tank, which can be time-consuming and expensive. Additionally, the sentimental or historical value may be attached to certain types of tanks, such as Redwood tanks, which may make it difficult to justify replacement. Yes, replacing a tank may be necessary if the existing tank no longer meets local regulations or safety standards.

However, replacing a damaged tank may be the best option, especially if the tank is older, larger, or structurally compromised. By replacing the tank, property owners can ensure they have a new, fully functional tank that is less likely to experience issues in the future.

Depending on the type and size of the tank, permits may be required to complete the replacement process, which can add time and cost to the project.

What to consider when a tank needs maintenance

Size of the tanks

The size of the tank is a key factor in determining whether to repair or replace it. In general, tanks that are smaller than 3,000 gallons are more cost-effective to replace than to repair, as the cost of repairs may outweigh the cost of replacement. Additionally, smaller tanks may not have the structural integrity to withstand repairs and may be more prone to additional damage down the line.

Permits

Depending on the size and location of the tank, permits may be required to complete repairs or replacements. Property owners should check with their local authorities to determine what permits are required and what the process will entail.

Structural Integrity

The structural integrity of the tank is also an important consideration. If the tank has extensive damage or is structurally compromised, repairs may not be possible or may only be a temporary fix. In these cases, replacing the tank may be necessary to ensure its safety and longevity of the tank.

Cost and Timeline

Finally, property owners must consider their budget and timeline when deciding whether to repair or replace a damaged tank. While repairing a tank may be less expensive in the short term, it may not be the most cost-effective option in the long run. Similarly, while replacing a tank may be necessary for safety or regulatory reasons, it may not be feasible for property owners with limited budgets or tight timelines.

Need expert advice? Give us a call.

SELECTING THE RIGHT MATERIAL

carsonadmin · March 23, 2023 ·

When it comes to lining a pond, the first and more popular option is a flexible liner made from Reinforced Polyethylene, Reinforced Polypropylene, CSPE, PVC or EPDM Rubber. There are other cheaper materials available; however for the purpose of building a lasting pond, it is advisable to use one of these flexible materials.

Reinforced Polyethylene (RPE) Liners

Reinforced polyethylene liners are generally considered the most durable liners available. In many cases, RPE liners don’t require a protective underlayment because of their higher tensile strength. Another advantage of reinforced polyethylene is they can be produced in very large sizes because of their light weight. However, a possible disadvantage to a RPE liner is that the material is slightly stiffer to work with which is only a problem if the pond has a lot of sharp protrusions, bends or corners or pipe penetrations.

Reinforced Polypropylene (RPP) Liners

Reinforced polypropylene liners are generally used for potable water applications. RPP can be easily box-welded into 3D shapes. Box-welding is the process of taking a flat liner and creating a 3D shaped box through the process of heat welding the seams. The main advantage of box-welding is that all the corners are nice and clean with no folds or wrinkles. If you’ve ever worked with a flat liner like EPDM rubber and tried to bend it around corners and ledges, you’ll know that you will never get it completely flat. RPP is the preferred material if a pond has pipe penetrations. It also has an extremely long life-span.

Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene (CSPE) Liners

Chlorosulfonated Polyethylene liners are geomembranes formerly known as Hypalon. CSPE or HypaFlex is a high-performance material designed for long-term applications, including floating covers and exposed liners. CSPE provides truly outstanding UV protection and long-term performance. HypaFlex is backed with an industry-leading 30-year weathering warranty.

PVC Liners

PVC liners are usually the least expensive option compared to other flexible liner materials, but their biggest downside is their lack of UV stability. What that means is that the pond liner must be completely buried with no direct sunlight contact; otherwise, the liner will begin to break down, shortening the life span.

EPDM or Rubber Liners

EPDM rubber liners are quite heavy. They are typically quite UV resistant which is a definite plus over some PVC liners. As a fishpond liner, EPDM is a good choice due to the lack of plasticizers in the liner. It is also possible to join two or more sheets together with some pond liner tape. In the case of large pond liners, it is often essential to combine multiple sheets to create a liner in the desired shape and size. Because rubber is so much heavier than material mentioned above, it is often more difficult to find and ship large pieces of EPDM due to weight concerns. If you need a large piece, it might be better to go with an RPE liner since it’s stronger, lighter and more cost effective.

LEAKY WATER TANKS

carsonadmin · March 22, 2023 ·

The US uses 322 billion gallons of water a day. Across the country, hundreds of water tanks are used to store accessible water for both personal and commercial use. Food and beverage preparation, household use, agriculture and irrigation, fire suppression, and industrial manufacturing are the most common uses.

By the end of this article, you’ll gain more insight into:

Why a water storage tank leaks
Options to repair a leaky tank
How to prevent leakage in a water tank

Why a water storage tank leak

There are several reasons a water storage tank may leak. Some of the most common reasons include corrosion, continual overfilling or excessive pressure, piping failure, and lack of proper maintenance.

Corrosion

Naturally, over time, especially when not properly maintained, things begin to corrode. Deterioration of water storage tanks becomes most prevalent when exposed to extreme changes in natural elements.

Overflow and excessive pressure

When water storage tanks are built, they are designed to hold a particular amount of pressure. When that pressure exceeds that threshold, trouble happens. A continual overfilling of water can also cause additional wear on the tank speeding up the eventual deterioration process.

Piping failure

In addition to the storage tank itself, the pipes that provide input and output of water, need maintenance and replacement over time. Pipes and their connecting fittings deteriorate allowing for brittleness and cracks. One corroded pipe can cost thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Improper maintenance

Poor upkeep of a water storage tank can cause leakage. Not replacing fuel filters, pipes, and addressing the wear and tear of the tank itself (both inside and out), can bring a slew of issues.

Options to repair a leaky tank

If you’re reading this article searching for a solution to replacing a water storage tank, you’ve come to the right place. Water storage tanks that have begun to leak are fixable. Here are a few options.

Water tank liners

One of the most cost-saving ways to repair a water tank leak is through the use of a custom-fabricated, industrial-grade water tank liner. These liners are a less costly alternative to tank replacement or tank coating. Liners from Carson Manufacturing contain no solvent or glue and require minimal downtime. They are durable and long-lasting and go through rigorous inspection and testing.

Water tank coating

Depending on the type and external conditions of the water tank, a fluorourethane, polysiloxane, ceramic, or epoxy coating may be suitable. It is crucial to select an application that is conducive to the usage of the tank.

How to prevent leakage in a water tank

Most seeking solutions to water storage tank leaks are probably doing so in a reactive state. However, preventing leakage before it happens is best.

Here are a few ways you can prevent first-time or continual leaks in water storage tanks.

Add a water tank liner: Before the leak starts, consider adding a water tank liner. This liner acts as a second tank and can long preserve the life of the tank itself.
Maintenance: Staying on top of regular maintenance is crucial to prevent leaks in all water storage tank components.
Don’t be excessive: Don’t overfill tanks, and don’t add unnecessary pressure.

Do you want to save yourself thousands of dollars and costly downtime? Let’s chat.