There’s no question about the durability and safety of professionally installed water tanks. What you should worry about, though, is how to keep your newly installed water tank in pristine condition. Have you thought about this matter when you decided to get a water tank installed in your property?
The key is to have it cleaned regularly! A routine tank inspection will let you know if your tank needs cleaning. Keeping water storage tanks clean and functional is not only a matter of law, but also of public health and safety.
In this article, we’ll go over the steps to cleaning water tanks, ways to disinfect them, what materials you will need, and how often you need to.
What Materials Do You Need to Clean Water Tanks?
Stored water can get contaminated in many ways and builds up solids like sediment, algae, and microbial growth, making the water inside unsafe to use. Water filtration may help remove such impurities, but it is always better to have a thorough water tank cleaning to keep your water tank and its contents in good condition.
While hiring experienced water tank cleaning services is always a good idea, you can always clean it yourself if you want to save money. You can find most of the cleaning supplies you need around your house. Here are what you will need:
- Bleach
- Mop
- Gloves
- Safety Glasses
- Wet and Dry Vacuum
- Pressure Washer (optional)
- Sump pump (optional)
Steps on How to Clean Water Tank
Water tank cleaning is relatively easy. Just think of it as cleaning your bathtub. You scrub the outside, but it is more important to ensure that the insides of the tub are thoroughly cleaned.
To get you started, here is a step-by-step guide on how to clean your water tanks:
Step 1: Drain the Water Tank
Open the outlet valve and drain the water out of your water tank. Try to flush the water without flooding the surroundings. A clogged water tank may make this process longer, so make sure to remove any sediments in the valve to hasten the process. To avoid wasted water, you can use the drained water for other uses, such as watering your garden or washing your car.
Drain as much water as possible. You can remove the residual water at the bottom of the tank by using a sump pump or a wet/dry vacuum. The dryer the tank, the better!
Step 2: Clean the inside of the tank
Using a combination of bleach and hot water, clean the tank by scrubbing the insides using a mop or pressure washer. This is to remove any build-up of slime and dirt on the sides and corners of the tank. Make sure to use gloves and safety glasses for protection when you do this.
Let the mixture sit for about two hours. This will kill all the remaining bacteria and contaminants inside your tank.
Step 3: Rinse the tank
Rinse the tank with clean water. You can do this by filling the tank with hot water, but a pressure washer can achieve the best results. Make sure the bleach is completely removed. Keep doing this until the water becomes clear. Clear out all the water from the tank using a wet/dry vacuum.
Step 4: Disinfect the tanks & pipes
Now that your tank is clean, it is time to disinfect it. Fill the tank again with clean water and add your bleach solution. Run the mixture through the water taps and pipes until you smell bleach in the water. This is done to disinfect the pipes. To disinfect the tank, allow the mixture to soak for at least 4 hours.
Step 5: Empty and Refill the Tank
Completely drain the tank and dispose of the water properly. Fill the tank with clean water and flush it until the smell of bleach is gone. Fill the tank again with fresh, clean water, and you’re done! Your tank is now clean and ready to use.
How Often Do You Need to Clean your Tanks?
Regularly cleaning water tanks is necessary to maintain them in good condition and keep the water inside pure and safe. It is recommended to have your water tanks disinfected and cleaned at least once a year.
Tanks situated in areas where the water supply has high levels of sediment may require more frequent cleanings to prevent algae growth and accumulation of silt.
You will know if it is time to clean your tank once you see that the water coming out of the pipes is cloudy. It is often a sign that sediment has pooled at the bottom and your tank needs cleaning. While you can certainly do the former, it is still best to do water quality testing to be sure.
Raven Tanks offers the best services for all your water tank needs!
Your water tank deserves the best treatment to keep it in pristine condition. Raven Tanks is the leading water tank specialist in Australia that can help you with all your water tank cleaning needs. With Raven Tanks, you are guaranteed to have a high-quality result. Keep your tank dirt freeby contacting Raven Tanks now!
