Steel Versus Poly Water Tanks: Which Way Should You Go?
Sadly, most people in the world must come to terms with the fact that water is becoming severely scarce. Cities, towns and populations are growing at an alarming rate that cannot be matched by the available sources of water. For this reason, it is advisable to make good use of the any water that you can use through conservative use and proper storage. Investing in a water tank is a good way to do this, as it also allows you to optimise the use of alternative water sources like boreholes. Here is a thorough look at steel and poly tanks to help you make the right choice when buying:
Strength and Durability
The last thing you want is to pump lots of money into a water tank that will only last a months or days. This makes strength and durability an important consideration when you are choosing a between a steel and poly tank. Chromium is a constituent element of steel that makes the tanks highly resistant to chemical corrosion. However, a steel tank can still corrode or undergo pitting if any section is in contact with iron or metals susceptible to rust. Poly, on the other hand, is naturally resistant to corrosion and the addition of ultraviolet radiation stabilisers keeps it from becoming brittle when exposed to lots of sunlight. Regardless of contact with metal that can rust, poly will always maintain its structural integrity.
Installation of the Tank
Water tanks, regardless of what they are made of, need to be installed on solid and sturdy foundations that can hold immense weight. There is a thin line between steel and poly in terms of weight. Poly tanks are available as one-piece units that can be sustained by a foundation of crusher dust. This is a mixture of crushed rocks. On the other hand, a steel tank has more foundation demands. They require compact foundations that must be kept free of moisture, treated timber, dissimilar metals, chemicals and treated timber.
Maintenance Needs
Steel and poly tanks differ in terms of maintenance. Steel requires a protective coating as a back up to the layer of galvanic coating. Paints and other protective coatings must be replenished with time to keep rust from spreading and developing in any case. On the contrary, poly is a maintenance free material that will give you less to worry about. It's the go-to material when you have less time to attend to your tank.
