8 mistakes to avoid when maintaining water tanks
Being an essential good for human life, the quality of the water required can never be too much.
The maintenance of water tanks should be done at least once a year, but this procedure can and should be more frequent depending on the state of conservation and water quality.
This concern should be very well established and cannot be neglected. However, besides the frequency, there are other common mistakes that need to be clarified.
Keep reading the article and anticipate the undesirable. It is easier and more practical than it seems!
Check, identify, act
The condominium or the owner should always be aware of pathologies and deficiencies in the reservoirs in order to not compromise the quality of the water and the safety of the structure.
They can occur in different ways and at various stages of the structure’s life, from the time of construction and planning to the maintenance phase.
The main mistakes pointed out in this article serve as support to understand how best to proceed in a given situation and apply the best practices and strategies.
1. Incorrect location
If the site is not the most suitable in the first place, it is very likely that problems will arise quickly and regularly. In this case, if you want to install a water tank, you should think very carefully about the location you choose for the installation. Preferably it should be a basement or another place that is not subject to large temperature amplitudes.
In addition, the chosen location should ensure adequate ventilation (protected against the entry of small animals, objects and other contaminants) to ensure the contact of air with water and provide access for future maintenance interventions.
2. Careless inspection
Diagnosing the state of conservation is very important! This is only possible if you do a thorough and preventive inspection. Using a checklist, write down all the observations and create a photographic record of the registered anomalies.
Among the most common constructive pathologies found in reservoirs, we have, for example, the deterioration of materials, cracks in the walls and the degradation of waterproofing coatings, mortars, and paintings.
3. Lack of planning
Regardless of whether it is a new construction, a repair or an intervention, we must have a structured plan for the cleaning and maintenance of the reservoir. It seems obvious but it doesn’t always happen. This plan should contain a history of interventions and monitoring data of the water quality of the reservoir in order to schedule and anticipate all operations and define the necessary materials to be used.
This plan will serve to support the datasheet for the tank in question to be constantly updated so that all the information is available and can be consulted whenever necessary.
4. Misplaced shutdowns
Before proceeding with cleaning the internal structure of the reservoir you should ensure that, with the exception of the bottom discharge, all reservoir piping is properly closed to prevent contaminants and sediment from entering.
Furthermore, ideally, the shutdown should be performed outside of the most critical water consumption periods and all residents should be made aware of the planned work.
5. Unsuitable products
Not taking water quality safety seriously is a very common and undervalued mistake. The selection of products for tank cleaning must be carefully selected to avoid causing damage to the coating materials leading to a faster deterioration of the system and consequent infiltrations and contaminations.
Nevertheless, regardless of the products selected, it is important not to allow chemical substances to remain and be released into the water intended for consumption. They must comply with regulations and be harmless to the environment.
6. Unfavorable conditions
There is no point in choosing the best time and having a well-prepared plan if we don’t ensure that we have the ideal conditions to move forward with the maintenance process.
These are some points that you should consider: sufficient lighting, adequate ventilation, personal protective equipment, adequate and clean clothing and shoes. If you intend to enter the tank, hygiene measures should be adopted and you should wear properly disinfected shoes, gloves and equipment.
7. Inadequate waterproofing
The tendency for sediment deposition and the development of microorganisms may alter and condition the quality of water, especially when we do not ensure a proper lining of tanks, with materials certified for contact with water intended for human consumption.
At Prudêncio, we work with Köster TPO waterproofing membranes, which meet the most stringent hygienic requirements for drinking water environments. Additionally, they are guaranteed for 15 years and provide extreme durability.
We recommend this system also because it is very easy to maintain by cleaning with running water after the tank has been emptied, using sponges or soft brushes. In case you notice more accumulated debris, a household detergent can be used to help remove it.
8. Lack of water quality control
Once the cleaning and maintenance process is completed, it is important to emphasize that you should fill the reservoir to the minimum level of one meter and collect water samples for later analysis. Therefore, it is essential to prepare a dated report describing the state of the tank from start to finish, with general considerations for future improvements.
The good performance of a water tank depends on a good waterproofing system
Leaks and infiltrations do happen, but by preventing them and with the right tools, you can detect anomalies in time to repair them with the least amount of effort, resources and time.
Summing up the listed mistakes, it is very likely that you seek help from expert and certified companies to ensure the proper maintenance of water tanks.
The solution proposed by Prudêncio guarantees quick application and start of use allowing your tank to be operational in 24 to 48 hours, something impossible to achieve with other coatings.
If you suspect a problem or need a reliable partner to ensure the condition of your tank, contact us.