More than 100,000 water storage tanks have been built in the past 100 years, a figure that surpasses the number of large water storage tanks made from any other construction material. Many steel water tanks have been in operation for over a century and continue to be used today.
Indeed, the lifespan of a stainless steel water storage tank, under the right conditions, can span a century or more. While not every one of them can be expected to last a century, with regular upkeep, they all have a chance.
If you want to keep your water tank in top condition and ensure its longevity, adhering to industry standards is a surefire way to make it possible.
What are Industry Standards?
A key to extending the lifespan of water tank is a good inspection, professional tank cleaning, and routine maintenance. Nothing fabricated and installed will continue to operate without quality checks.
Most potable water storage tanks constructed in the United States adhere to specifications set by the American Water Works Association (AWWA). These standards are developed and maintained under the direction of the AWWA Standards Committee on Steel Elevated Tanks, Standpipes, and Reservoirs, which is composed of members representing consumer, general interest, and producer groups.
Industry standards provide guidelines for these activities, such as how often inspections should be conducted and what cleaning and maintenance procedures should be performed. AWWA recommends inspection every three to five years to extend the lifespan of a water tank.
Water Tank Lifespan and Safety
For a water tank’s lifespan to be extended beyond its expected expectancy, constant maintenance, and inspection are required. To ensure water tank safety, you must also consider three essential factors: material, location, and usage.
Material
You do not want to get a tank that lasts only one to five years, so you better veer away from water storage tanks constructed from plastic barrels. These are generally cheap, but they are only helpful if you are looking for a short-term water storage solution.
A polyethylene water storage tank is excellent because it is made from UV-treated, food-grade, and non-biodegradable plastic. With this composition, you can be confident that it will not break down for some time. Poly tanks should last for a decade or so, but if you are attentive to their routine maintenance, it could be up to thirty years.
However, a stainless steel water tank is a great choice if you want to ensure that your money will not go to waste. It is made from steel, so it is naturally more durable and has a longer shelf life than other water storage tanks. A well-maintained stainless steel tank has an expected service life of over three decades. Most of the time, this unit also comes with a long-term warranty.
Location
The lifespan of a water tank is also influenced by the geophysical conditions of the site where it is installed. If the tank is placed near a body of saltwater, be aware that the salty air can accelerate corrosion. In coastal areas, you may need to invest in additional protective sheeting to shield your tank from the effects of saltwater. However, if you opt for a stainless steel tank, this shouldn’t be an issue.
For locations with constant sunlight or dry conditions, the UV treatments on a polyethylene water storage tank will only last for a limited time. Prolonged exposure to intense UV rays will cause the plastic material to degrade faster. Therefore, protecting a polyethylene tank from excessive heat is crucial to prolong its durability.
Usage
The service life of a tank is also dictated by how it is used. A unit that contains clean and fresh water for human consumption will typically have a much longer lifespan than a unit with harsh chemicals or salt.
Installing a food-grade tank liner is highly recommended if you use a stainless steel tank for potable water storage. This ensures water tank safety and prevents oxidized steel or zinc from contaminating the water supply. However, a tank liner is unnecessary for a polyethylene water storage tank because it is already constructed from food-grade plastic materials.
Looking for Industry-Approved Water Tanks in Your Area?
For many of us, water tanks are a long-term investment that we don’t simply buy and forget about after a year of use. As a valuable asset, we want to ensure it remains free from contamination and corrosion.
Keep your water tanks in optimal condition and extend their lifespan with the help of our experts at Raven American Tanks! With over 20 years of experience in the industry, we are equipped to handle your project needs, no matter how simple or complex they may be.
Give us a call today and let us know how we can better serve you!
