Water tanks provide a reliable water supply and help you conserve water for later use. So, if you have water tanks installed at your home, it is important to know that they need to be maintained just like any other home system. But do you know why it is so important to clean it? Or how do you clean it, and what materials do you need? Keep reading and you will know.
Table of Contents
- Why regular water tank cleaning is essential
- Materials and equipment needed for tank cleaning
- Steps to clean a plastic water storage tank
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Why Regular Water Tank Cleaning is Essential
Cleaning the plastic water tank regularly helps you maintain the water quality at your home. The WHO (World Health Organization) also agrees that waterborne diseases like typhoid and cholera are more likely to happen in unclean water storage systems, just like a water tank. This is why having a clean water tank at home helps you stay safe from life-threatening diseases. Cleaning it once every 6 months removes bacteria, algae, sediments, etc., and keeps the water clean.
Materials and Equipment Needed for Tank Cleaning
Before we discuss how to clean a plastic water tank, let us see what materials and equipment you need for cleaning.
- An empty bucket
- Sponges and clean pieces of cloth
- A strong brush for scrubbing
- A pump to drain water
- A ladder in case the top of the tank is higher
- Chlorine test strips
- A cleaning solution, either a chlorine bleach or a non-toxic alternative
- A high-pressure nozzle hose and, most importantly
- Boots and gloves to protect yourself
If you want know more about cleaning supplies, click here
STEPS TO CLEAN PLASTIC WATER STORAGE TANK
STEP 1: Draining the water tank
The first step in the water tank cleaning process is to remove all the water from the tank. Drain the water using a pump or with a bucket, and the water should be disposed off safely to prevent corrosion or bacterial contact in case the water was stagnant for a long time.
Pro Tip: Removing all the water from the water helps you see the dirt and debris left behind for cleaning.
STEP 2: Removing the remaining water
In case the pump cannot remove all the water, you can use the cloth to drench it in water and wring it out. It may take some time, but it is an important step for the next process.
STEP 3: Cleaning inside of the tank
Now that the water is not in the tank anymore, you might see a sludge at the bottom of the tank that is made up of algae, debris, or sometimes even mud. Remove this sludge from the tank and make sure that the bottom of the tank is clean before the next cleaning step.
STEP 4: Scrubbing the inside surface
The inside surface of the tank may have algae buildup, so scrubbing the walls of the tank is necessary with a brush or a sponge. You can use the cleaning solution in this step because it is an effective way to make the tank clean.
Water Tank Maintenance Tip: Choose the brush according to the size of the water tank. For example, use a brush with a long handle when you are cleaning the tank from the outside. Do not scrub the tank using brushes made with steel bristles, as they can release microplastics inside the tank.
STEP 5: Scrubbing corners
Use small brushes to scrub the corners of the tank (it is usually at the top of the tank). This way, you can make sure each and every corner is cleaned thoroughly without leaving any debris or algae patches behind.
STEP 6: Rinsing thoroughly
If you have used bleach or other cleaning solutions, rinsing is required to remove water tank odor and chemical residue that could affect the quality of the water. Use the high-pressure hose to rinse the tank from top to bottom, especially the corners and the joints. Rinse it a couple of times to remove the cleaning solutions and debris.
STEP 6: Rinsing thoroughly
If you have used bleach or other cleaning solutions, rinsing is required to remove water tank odor and chemical residue that could affect the quality of the water. Use the high-pressure hose to rinse the tank from top to bottom, especially the corners and the joints. Rinse it a couple of times to remove the cleaning solutions and debris.
STEP 7: Disinfecting the tank
Disinfecting the tank: The final step is to disinfect water tank with a cleaning agent like bleach. The ratio should be 50 ppm (parts per million) to the amount of water in the tank (in this case, ¾ of the tank should be filled with water). After 24 hours of adding this bleach, check for the appropriate amount of chlorine in the water. Drain all the water once again and use a clean cloth to remove the remaining water. If you’d like to know more about how to clean bathroom tiles, read our guide.
Conclusion
In conclusion, poor maintenance of your plastic clean water storage tank may result in the buildup of bacteria, debris, and algae, which increases the risk of waterborne diseases. By following this guide, you can easily clean and maintain the water tank hygiene and prevent the buildup of sludge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- For a 950-liter tank, use 950 ml of bleach
- For a 1,900-liter tank, use 1.9 liters of bleach
- For a 2,850-liter tank, use 2.85 liters of bleach and
- For a 3,800-liter tank, use 3.8 liters of bleach
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *