Our maintenance crews regularly repair, service, and install storage tanks. In this blog, we’ll share some of our experiences with you to help you avoid some of the problems we see. We’ll also explain some of the lasting solutions to some of the common problems encountered with water storage tanks.

Accumulated sediment in the storage tank

One of the most common issues associated with storage tanks is the accumulation of sand or sediment in the storage tanks. In some cases, this can be mitigated by installation of a filter on the inlet to the storage tank, but in many cases, this is more expensive and less practical than simply draining and rinsing the storage tank out every few years. After the tank has been drained and rinsed out, a pressure washer can be used from the manhole to wash down the walls and floor of the tank, and then it can be rinsed out again before refilling. Make sure you have a supply of clean pressurized water available before draining your tank in order to clean it! If you plan to clean your tank out yourself, make sure to read up on and use appropriate safety measure before attempting to enter a storage tank.

Leaks around tank fittings or broken fill/discharge piping.

Leaks around tank fittings or bent/broken pipes that connect to the fill or discharge ports are extremely common! The primary cause is that the piping was not connected with an appropriate flexible connector at the storage tank. While the storage tank connections are reasonably strong, they are not designed for continual, high stress situations. It is normal for piping to shift slightly as trenches settle or during earthquakes. Flexible connections or piping is required at the storage tank connection points! Many installers cut corners and try to save money, but this leads to broken pipes or damage to the storage tank. Insist and ensure that your storage tank has flexible connectors installed at each of the tank connection points.

Tank tipping or settling

It is not unusual to inspect a storage tank and find that it is tilted in one direction or another or has settled unevenly into the dirt or hillside that it was haphazardly installed on. The pipes connected to the tank are stressed or broken, the tank bulges on the downhill side or may have even slide a few feet downhill. Keep in mind that water is very dense and a storage tank filled with 5000 gallons of water weighs more than 40,000 pounds! A storage tank installed haphazardly on a hillside is a definite hazard. Storage tanks should always be installed on a leveled base according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Storage tanks over 5000 Gallons in Napa County will also need to have seismic restraints and a seismic base installed to ensure the tank does not move in an earthquake. The area where the tank will be located should have the soil throughly compacted and then a gravel or cement base installed prior to setting the storage tank in place. Take care to ensure that any water run off from rains or the tank overflow is properly directed away from the tank base area to ensure that erosion will not undermine the soil/base underlying the storage tank. Doing this work up at the very beginning of the project will save a lot of time and expense later on and prevent damage to the tank or piping from tilting and settling.

Green or black algae growing in the storage tank

In some cases, storage tanks have been selected that use a white or transparent plastic. The materials do not block light and thus algae can grow, coating the inside of the tank and flowing to your house where it will come out in the sink, toilets, and shower heads! In other cases tank lids have been lost or removed or the tank has been constructed in a fashion which allows sunlight to enter to the tank.The best solution to algae growth is to limit the exposure of water to sunlight. In some cases this means replacing the storage tank with a material that does not allow light into the storage tank. Chemical additives are only a temporary stop gap and can contaminate the water.

Dead animals in the storage tank

In our neck of the woods we experience long dry summers. The natural sources of water available for animals to drink from can be distant or spread out. Storage tanks without lids or that have openings/holes in the top allow easy access for squirrels and other animals to climb inside, but they can’t get out once they have fallen in the water and are wet! Storage tanks close to trees and brush can be easily accessed by animals climbing up the tree or ivy. Make sure you keep storage tank lids on and carefully screen any openings with a metal mesh. Cut back brush and tree limbs from the storage tank as well. If you do get an animal in the storage tank, the best way to deal with it is to fish it out with a pool net and then heavily chlorinate and then flush and pressure wash the storage tank. The tank should then be chlorinated again and then refilled. Once a bacterial sample has been analyzed and shows that the tank is free of bacteria it can be used again for potable water.

Bullet Holes in Storage Tanks.

For some reason, storage tanks can be an irresistible magnet for boys with arrows or guns that need a convenient target. While metal tanks are more resistant to attack, plastic tanks are quite susceptible. You may want to screen the tanks behind a fence, trees, or a hedge and choose a neutral/natural color to minimize visual recognition. The good news is that HDPE plastic tanks can have holes and minor cracks repaired rather easily with the right equipment! Our crew at Oakville Pump Service has successfully repaired many of these tanks! First, the storage tank must be drained below the hole. A plastic disc is installed on a specialty tool and the plastic disc is spun at very high speeds then plunged against the storage tank/hole. The tank and disc melt together forming a perfect seal! Holes in steel tanks may require welding or the hole can be enlarged with a hole-saw and a tank adaptor with a plug or valve installed to stop water from flowing.

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Fire Damage to Storage Tanks

When a fire comes through, many tanks are damaged from the heat involved. Plastic tanks melt and metal tanks warp with interior plastic linings damaged by the heat. Concrete tanks often survive unscathed, however, the piping connections may be melted or damaged by fire. Plastic and metal storage tanks damaged by fire will need to be replaced! Now, just because you have a fire does not automatically mean that your storage tank will be destroyed! Taking a few precautions to clear any trees, brush, and wood from the vicinity of the storage tanks and put gravel or rocks around the storage tank can help save your water system! It is also important to protect/fire harden any piping by burying it if possible or by ensuring it is metal and less susceptible to fire damage.

If your storage tank needs repairs or you’re thinking of installing a new tank in Pope Valley, Angwin, Calistoga or other parts of Napa County, give our experienced crew at Oakville Pump Service a call we can help you get it done properly the first time!