Maintaining your facility’s cold water storage tank is crucial for ensuring a safe and reliable water supply. Over time, tanks can deteriorate due to factors like corrosion, leading to potential water quality issues and inefficiencies. Relining a commercial cold water tank is a cost-effective and efficient solution to extend its lifespan and maintain compliance with water safety regulations.
Understanding the Relining Process
Relining involves applying a protective coating to the interior surfaces of the tank, restoring its structural integrity and preventing further corrosion or deterioration of the substrate. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
1. Inspection and Assessment
A thorough inspection is conducted to evaluate the tank's current condition. This step identifies corrosion, leaks, or structural weaknesses. A professional assessment determines if relining is the best solution or if a full replacement is necessary.
2. Cleaning and Surface Preparation
The tank is drained and thoroughly cleaned to remove any debris, sediment, or existing coatings. Proper surface preparation ensures that the new lining adheres correctly and provides a durable protective barrier.
3. Application of the Lining Material
A specialised WRAS-approved, solvent-free polyurethane coating is applied to the tank’s interior in three stages; the stripe coat, first coat and final coat. This creates a seamless, corrosion-resistant layer that safeguards the tank against further deterioration. At Titan Mechanical Services, we use our own WRAS-approved polyurethane coating, offering exceptional durability and a 10-year guarantee.
4. Curing and Final Inspection
After application, the lining is allowed to cure, forming a robust and flexible barrier. A final inspection ensures that the coating has been applied uniformly and meets all regulatory quality standards before the tank is recommissioned.
Benefits of Relining Your Cold Water Tank
1. Cost-Effectiveness
Relining is significantly more affordable than a full tank replacement. It addresses issues like leaks and corrosion without the high costs associated with installing a new tank.
2. Minimal Disruption to Operations
The relining process is far less invasive and quicker than a complete tank replacement, reducing downtime for your facility. Businesses with high water demand, such as hospitals and manufacturing plants, benefit from the faster turnaround time.
3. Improved Water Quality
A newly lined tank prevents bacterial growth, biofilm formation, and contamination, ensuring that the stored water remains clean and safe for use.
4. Extended Tank Lifespan
By addressing internal deterioration early, relining significantly extends the service life of your existing tank, maximising your investment and maintaining compliance with safety regulations. At Titan, we offer a 10-year guarantee on most of the relines we undertake.
Signs Your Tank Needs Relining
Not sure if your tank needs relining? Here are some key warning signs to look out for:
Visible Corrosion or Rust – Indicates that the protective layer has been compromised, leading to structural weakening.
Leaks or Damp Areas Around the Tank – Suggests internal deterioration that may worsen over time.
Delamination of the Gel Coating Within GRP Tanks – A sign that the interior lining is breaking down, affecting water quality.
Non-Compliance with Water Safety Regulations – If your tank fails compliance tests due to contamination risks, relining is a cost-effective way to restore it.
At Titan Mechanical Services, we’ve helped numerous clients restore their aging water tanks before they reached a critical failure point. One of our clients, a large manufacturing facility, faced severe water quality issues due to a corroded tank. Our team carried out a full inspection and completed a WRAS-approved relining process over a long weekend, avoiding disruption to their essential services.
Relining vs. Replacement: Which One is Right for You?
1. Tank Condition
If the tank’s structure is still sound but corrosion and leaks are present, relining is the best solution. However, if the tank has severe structural damage or is at the end of its lifecycle, a full replacement may be required.
2. Budget Considerations
Relining is usually more cost-effective than a complete replacement. If your budget is limited, relining allows you to extend the tank’s life without the expense of installing a new one.
3. Downtime & Business Operations
Facilities that cannot afford extended downtime (such as hospitals, schools, and large commercial buildings) benefit from relining because it requires minimal disruption compared to a full replacement. The installation of a temporary bypass or tank are additional options that can keep services running whilst the works are undertaken.
Want to see more examples of tanks being relined? Then visit our case studies page…
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