The condition of a water tank’s interior significantly impacts the safety and purity of stored water for daily use. Failure to maintain proper cleaning and inspection can result in the buildup of both organic and inorganic residues, affecting taste, odor, and potentially posing health hazards.
Regular annual inspections of water storage tanks are crucial for assessing the condition of interior steel and coatings. These inspections minimize downtime, optimize water quality, and address corrosion issues promptly if detected.
However, choosing the appropriate type of interior inspection for your water tank, taking into account its unique needs and functionality, can be challenging. This article will explore the four available options for inspecting water storage tanks, helping you make a well-informed decision.
What is Corrosion?
Corrosion arises when a metal naturally transforms into a more stable form, often oxide, hydroxide, or sulfide, resulting in material degradation. Metals corrode when they interact with substances like oxygen, hydrogen, electrical currents, or contaminants such as dirt and bacteria. Additionally, excessive stress on metals can induce corrosion by causing material fractures.
Steel and aluminum are commonly used in the construction of metal water tanks. Corrosion of steel and aluminum within water tanks compromises the tanks’ structural integrity and significantly impacts daily water usage.
Role of Internal Inspections
The significance of carrying out comprehensive tank inspections cannot be overstated, given that many materials typically employed in tanks are susceptible to corrosion, cracking, or rusting if overlooked. Over time, sediment buildup along the tank bottom is a common occurrence. Alongside maintaining the tank itself, routine inspections of potable water tanks are crucial for efficient water management and preventing corrosion.
Failure to conduct internal inspections could potentially endanger utilities, resulting in considerable public health risks. Hence, it is imperative to conduct interior inspections to protect against water tank corrosion.
Types of Tank Inspections
Depending on variables such as tank design, materials used, intended purpose, external and internal conditions, and maintenance practices aimed at corrosion prevention, different inspection methods may be recommended.
- Visual Inspections
Visual inspections provide a straightforward assessment approach for water storage tanks. This entails accessing the tank’s cover, opening it, and visually recording observations. It’s advisable to capture images of the tank’s roof, walls, and bottom to document the structural material and evaluate coating system performance.
- Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Inspection
An ROV inspection involves deploying an unmanned submersible craft into a filled water tank. The craft captures images and videos of the tank’s walls and bottom to document the structural material and assess coating system performance.
- Dive Inspection
In a dive inspection, a diver submerges into a water storage tank filled with water. The diver then takes pictures of the tank’s roof, walls, and bottom to document the structural material and evaluate coating system performance.
- Washout Inspection
During a washout inspection, a water storage tank is drained, and an individual or team enters the tank to conduct the review. Pictures are taken of the roof, walls, bottom, and other structures inside the tank to document the structural material and assess the performance of coating systems.
Following the inspection, the crew can utilize power washing equipment to clean all interior surfaces of the tank, eliminating any sediment and organic materials.
Is it Time for Your Water Tank Inspection?
Corrosion is an unavoidable concern with metal water tanks, although the exact timing of its onset is unpredictable. However, Tanks Liners by American Tanks provides alternative options such as GRP Panel Tanks and Stainless Steel Storage Tanks.
Our skilled team, operating nationwide in the United States, focuses on water tank inspection and repair, offering exceptional maintenance services, corrosion protection, and control measures for water tanks. We are dedicated to guaranteeing the durability and dependability of your water tank.
Collaborate with us for all your water tank maintenance and repair needs! Reach out to us today to learn more about our extensive array of services.
Call Tanks Liners by American Tanks at +1 800 656 0167
Or email at info@americantankliners.com
