However, if you're storing water in tanks, the responsibility of keeping your resource clean solely lies with you. Therefore, you need to ensure the water tank system you're using is maintained at all times. Different tanks will require different levels of cleaning as some can be installed on rooftops while others are placed under decks or underground. You can click here to see various kinds and to understand better what maintenance practices to do.
Taking Care Of Your Water Tank
Even though there are some specific cleaning tips for several water tanks, there are still those that'll apply to any water tank. Here are some essential practices to maintain your system:
1. Clean The Roof And Other Catchment Areas
Whether you're harvesting water from the roof or any other source, you need to ensure the areas are clean and free from trees, leaves, and grasses. Such materials in and around can flow into the tank, causing blockages, odour, and infections.
First, you can start by clearing the bushes. Second, you can use wire mesh at the inflow pipe, so it'll trap any materials and keep them out of the tank. The smaller debris can easily be picked up and won't be a big problem.
2. Use Quality Coating
The coating in your system is important in ensuring the tank is free from corrosion and rust. For cases of metal tanks, rusting may be expected, and this could give your water a metallic taste, which isn't a feature of a healthy fluid. As such, you need a coating that can withstand being exposed to water for a long time.
If you're using concrete tanks, the coat should also be of high quality to not break and fall into the water. You can combine it with waterproof compounds to prevent water seepage into or out of the tank.
3. Regularly Drain The Tank
Some people may find it necessary to refill their tanks before the water inside is completely used. This is understandable as no one would want to run out of supply, but this could lead to debris and other dirt accumulation, which isn't suitable for your tank.
Therefore, when you've used up most of the water, drain the remaining part as it may have accumulated contaminants at the base. Moreover, you can use the excess fluid to scrub and wash the tank before completely draining it.
4. Wash With Hot Water
Another problem facing water tanks is fats and oils attaching to the surfaces. Other than them being points for debris that can cause clogging on inflow and outflow pipes, they also become an environment for moss, algae, and moulds to grow in.
To avoid this, wash your tank at least twice a year with hot water and detergents. The heat of the water, as well as the chemical structure of detergents, will dissolve the oils, making it easy for drainage. In addition, it also helps to disinfect the tank, making it suitable for storing water for longer periods. After you've washed it, you can then leave it to dry to remove any odours before storing water again.
5. Repair Leaks Early
When your water tank breaks or develops a leak, you may neglect it if it’s still in the early stages. You may not find any reason to worry as not much is being lost. However, as the pressure increases, the leak may develop into a big problem that'll require technical skills to correct.
To prevent such cases, it’s important to conduct inspections around the tank. You can identify any leak and repair it regardless of how minor it may look. Also, these leaks can be entry points for germs, insects, and rodents, so it’s important to be taken care of immediately.
Conclusion
Maintaining your water tank system is essential as it'll enable you to have access to a clean supply and have a functioning plumbing system in your home. Even though some of the procedures such as repairing leaks may require technical support, most of them can still be done independently.
Follow these tips along with other valuable resources, and you'll have a water tank system that'll serve you so well. Always remember to inspect your tank as well as the connected pipes regularly for an optimum storage system.
