Water tank stands: Wood or Steel?

Water tanks sometimes need to be elevated on water tank stands or towers to increase water pressure. In South Africa both steel tank stands and timber/wooden tank stands are popular. Here are some notes on why we recommend properly designed & built steel water tank stands.

Safety: A steel tank stand that has been designed and manufactured according engineer principles is generally safer than an equivalent timber tank stand. Steel materials have known properties and weight-bearing thresholds whereas wooden structures can be quite variable (age of wood, whether wood has been dried/cured properly, type of wood, type of cut, etc). Remember a 5000 litre tank exerts 5 tonnes of downward pressure (and a 10000 litre tank exerts 10 tonnes).

Longevity: A properly maintained steel water tank stand should outlast most timber tank stands by many years. Timber tank stands are vulnerable to weakening if constantly wet and are also vulnerable to rot caused by other environmental factors. Termites and wood borer can seriously affect the structural integrity and service life of a wood tank stand.

Design & height limitations: Steel tank stands can be made in just about any height with the appropriate length & specification steel components. Timber tank stands are limited by the lengths of timber poles available for the really high tank stand requirements.

Portability: Steel tank stands can be bought in CKD kit form, allowing for much easier transport than cumbersome timber poles (especially for high tank stands). It will generally be less expensive and easier to transport the components of steel tank stands compared to timber tank stands.

Compatibility: Steel tank stands are generally more compatible with modern building designs. An exception may be in a game lodge setting where timber water tank stands may be more aesthetically pleasing.

It should be noted that the above notes refer to professionally designed steel tank stands such as those manufactured by JoJo Tanks. A poorly designed steel tank stand can be dangerous and can fail, potentially causing substantial damage. Beware of steel tank stands (and timber tank stands for that matter) that are made by backyard ‘engineers’ with no experience.

JoJo steel tank stands are designed and manufactured by a registered structural engineer with more than 30 years of experience (all JoJo Tanks steel tank stands are made to match or exceed minimum engineering standards and engineer’s certificates are available for each height). JoJo tank stands are available for 5000 litre vertical tanks and 10000 litre vertical tanks in the following heights: 1.5m, 3m, 4.5m, 6m & 9m. Click on the links below to view other high quality JoJo Tanks products available in South Africa.

JoJo Tanks South Africa offer a wide range of products such as plastic water tanks and chemical tanks to suit every household, business or agricultural need, including silo tanks and silo tank stands as well as other high quality JoJo Tanks products.  See JoJo Tanks’ VERTICAL TANKS, HORIZONTAL TANKS (transporter tanks), STEEL TANK STANDS and OTHER JOJO PRODUCTS and see JoJo Tanks’ NEW 6000 LITRE UNDERGROUND TANKS. Also see our FAQ and WATER TANK PRICES.