Care and maintenance of water tanks

Water tanks, whether for domestic or industrial or agricultural purposes, should be cared for from the day of purchase in order for them to have a maximum useful life.

Water tanks should be cared for from the day of purchase in order for them to last a long time

Loading, transporting & offloading water tanks

Damage can occur to water tanks during the loading, transportation and offloading.  Some water tank types are more susceptible to damage during this period.  Steel water tanks can incur dents, fibreglass water tanks can crack and cheaper polyethylene water tanks can split along seams (better quality poly water tanks are ‘rotomoulded’ and therefore do not have these weak points).  Ensure that the transport company loads, ships and offloads the water tanks with due care and that any damage incurred during transport will become the transport company’s liability.

Installation of water tanks

Care must be taken to ensure the water tanks are correctly installed on a level, firm base or on a water tank stand.  Poly or ‘plastic’ water tanks are generally more forgiving when it comes to installation as they are lighter, easier to handle and less likely to be dropped and their inherent flexibility makes them less likely to be damaged during this process.  Where water tanks need to be placed on high water tank stands, ensure that the contractor/builder handles and lifts the water tanks up onto the tank stands with the utmost care and that safety is taken care of (heavier steel water tanks and fibreglass water tanks could cause serious structural damage is dropped from a height, not to mention serious injury or death).  Plastic water tanks, being lighter, will not cause much damage if dropped from a height but any accidents would void the tank’s guarantee.

Maintaining and inspecting water tanks

Once installed, water tanks will require regular inspections depending on the type of water tank, environmental conditions as well as the quality of water being stored in the water tank.  Steel water tanks may be prone to corrosion, especially along welds/seams and should be painted with rust-resistant coatings.  Cheaper steel water tanks may be uncoated on the inside which could reduce service life where the water contains a high mineral content.  Check for sun damage although better quality polyethylene water tanks are usually UV-protected – an important requirement for harsh African conditions.  Also check that sludge/sediment is not building up inside the water tanks.  Plastic water tanks that have small holes or cracks can sometimes be repaired using the plastic welding technique- your local plumber may have the expertise and equipment.  Serious cracks/splits in any type of water tank should not be repaired as the structural integrity could be compromised – rather replace the water tank (a burst water tank can suddenly unleash tonnes of water!).

Disposing of old water tanks

All water tanks will reach the end of their service lives sooner or later, depending on the type and quality.  Stainless steel water tanks generally last the longest although not always.  Good quality plastic or polyethylene water tanks could last 15 or 20 years or more.  Steel water tanks can be sent to a metal scrap yard for recycling.  Poly or plastic water tanks can and should also be recycled when they reach the end of their service lives.

When choosing a water tank type and brand do not base your decisions on price – the cheapest water tanks will disappoint and will not last long.  We recommend water tanks and other products made by JoJo Tanks (South Africa).  JoJo water tanks are guaranteed for 5 years, are UV-protected and have a food-grade, FDA-approved internal lining to inhibit algae growth and keep the water fresher for longer.  JoJo water tanks are made from the highest quality materials yet are still affordable.  Click on the links below to view the wide range of JoJo water tanks and other JoJo Tanks products available in South Africa.