How to Clean a Plastic Water Storage Tank? Importance and Reasons.

Water tanks or water storing containers are one of the basic needs of a house as a source of water supply. Over time, the water storage tanks get polluted with dirt, algae, fungi, and other bacteria or water contaminants that are harmful to your health. Drinking this dirty water from tanks can lead to a serious health issue so it’s recommended to clean your storage tanks properly. Whether you have any type of water tank, like; plastic, concrete, underground, or metal, this guide for methods to clean a water tank will work for all. This will remove and disinfect the dirty water tank from dust, algae, and bacteria.

Why Is It Important To Clean A Water Tank?

Water tank cleaning is crucial to maintain hygiene and avoid contamination. The cleaning process of water tanks eliminates harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. The importance of water tank cleaning is wide like increasing the lifespan of the water container tank, preventing algae growth, and providing safe drinking water. It controls legionella and E.coli resulting in safe and clean stored water for daily use. Some other benefits are.

• Prevents Corrosion and Rust
• Makes Water Supply Safe and Reliable
• Essential for Health And Sanitation
• Prevents Water-Born Disease
• Prevents Problems With Plumbing
• Increases Water Flow

Reasons to Clean a Water Storage Tank

When it comes to when to clean a water storage tank then there are many factors to consider like microbial growth and other sediment buildups. Also, it depends on the conditions of your storage tank and how much algae, silt, or slime has grown inside it. You should clean your water tanks at least once a year and some ask to clean them twice a year.

You can inspect your tank interior by yourself as well as determine the smell in the water supply coming into your kitchen and bathrooms. Note: if any of the contamination is growing then plan for cleaning it from your storage tank as soon as possible. If your tank is taking direct sunlight then it is best to clean it at least twice or three times a year to get a clean water supply in the entire home.

Additionally, make sure the pipelines/supply lines are not blocked with any dust and debris. Inspecting and cleaning water tanks is not a complicated task, people can do it by themselves. Reasons to clean your water tank.

• Bad smell coming from the water
• When a new water supply line installed
• When an existing water supply line repaired
• Bacterial growth has been tested positive
• The tank has not been cleaned for over a year

What Things Needed When Cleaning a Water Storage Tank?

When you think about cleaning your water tank at home without any help from a maintenance company then you will need some of the tools to do the job professionally. Some cleans may require fewer tools and expert-level cleans need some tools like an extender or mop to reach the bottom of the tank. Here are some things you will need in a DIY water tank cleaning project.

• Floor mop or extender with a sponge head
• Adjustable or angled rod
• Bucket
• Liquid bleach
• Two gallons of water
• Disposable gloves
• Eye protection gadgets
• Vac pump
• Pressure washer
• Chlorine strips
• Dry towel

If you do not need any extra cost then some of the tools are optional, you can do the drainage or washing manually instead of buying a pressure washer. The vacuum pump is also optional for cleaning tanks that need normal care. Additionally, you will need to make a bleach solution before starting cleaning. Use one tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water.

How to Clean a Plastic Water Tank?

DIY Cleaning a water tank is relatively easy even if you have not experienced it before. Simple tank cleaning can be done by hand and some techniques to disinfect the interior. It is best to know about the process to get the job done perfectly. Which steps are involved in cleaning your water tank, here’s a brief guide to understanding what you should do for proper cleaning of your storage tanks at home.

Drain the water tank

If you are thinking of cleaning the water tank then first drain the tank using a pump that will flush the water. It is the best tool for clearing the storage. Afterwards, you can use a dry towel to wipe up all the moisture and sediment or leftover moisture. It is the first step towards water tank cleaning that is crucial before starting any disinfection or cleansing tank surface.

Scrub the interior

This step is crucial to get a neat and clean tank by scrubbing the interior with the help of power washers. If you don’t have this tool then you can use a hard-bristled brush or mop. Also, you can use any other tool with an adjustable handle and angle to reach walls and every corner of the tank to remove scrum. You may have fewer tools to scrub the interior yourself but the process is not complicated. Make sure the purpose of this action is completed like removing dirt, slit, and slime from your tank and it looks like new.

Rinse out the tank

This is the most important step when cleaning your storage tank. Use cold water for the removal of dirt from your tank that has swelled throughout the scrubbing process. You can take it easy to rinse the tank because you will need another round of rinsing later. But keep your tank completely rinsed before opting for the next step to get peace of mind.

Bleach the interior

The bleach solution is also a major part of cleaning your water tanks. Using 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water is recommended to scrub the interior. The bleach is a chemical substance so use disposable gloves and eye protection when doing this job. It is best to reach every corner of the tank using your hands if you don’t have a power washer. However, a floor mop with an adjustable handle is necessary to complete the job correctly.

Let the solution sit

Once you bleached out the tank then leave it for at least two hours to sit and mix the solution properly in the tank for a better result. This step will help kill stubborn bacteria from the storage tank. The microbial growth also affects when you stay away from your tank for a specific time. You are cleaning your tank for the removal of algae, and bacterial growth, and this way you will get your goals.

Optional: Clean the water supply lines

The water supply lines are also used continuously to carry water in taps resulting in clogged with contaminants and algae growth. They can be dirty so it is best to clean them with bleach solution. Use a pump to run the solution in your water supply lines or pipelines to get rid of clogged or dirty water lines without calling a maintenance service. This way you will get clean water in your entire home taps.

Rinse out the tank

After bleaching the tank and supply lines, it’s time to rinse out again. It is recommended by our expert tank cleaners to clean the surface or overall tank because the bleach is toxic especially when drinking water. So, it’s important to clean out your storage tank properly using hot water for pipelines and taps. If you do not care then you can face skin irritation because of the chemical mixed water. Make sure all the bubbles are gone use the water without any hesitation.

Partially refill the tank

After doing the job of sanitization, rinsing, and hot water treatment, It is best to get full-proof safety by refilling the tank with water. This step can be optional for some homeowners but the experts recommend it to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Optional: Measure chlorine levels

The chlorine level is crucial for getting a disinfected and properly rinsed tank. You can check the water tank that there is no more bleach solution. For this, use chlorine strips to check the water supply lines. If the result of chlorine levels is nominal then proceed to the final step otherwise the higher level of chlorine indicates that there are still signs of bleach solution and repeat rinsing of water tank.

Refill the tank

The final step is to refill the water tank and leave the taps open for a while to empty. After that, use the water supply in your home freely. These steps can lead you to a well-maintained water tank. The cleaning process is simple and anyone can handle it by themselves.

Fixwell is your water tank cleaning company

The water tanks in your homes are important to use daily like kitchen, bathrooms, and washing purposes. If they are dirty you can get uncomfortable with water supply lines that smell bad, bacterial mix water, and clogged taps. You can do a DIY water tank cleaning or if you are unsure then Fixwell can help you with our water tank cleaning service. You can contact us for emergency needs at 055 524 40476.