Regular tank cleaning isn’t just about ensuring that the water you are storing remains clean and free from contaminants. It is also an important factor in keeping your tank in good condition, with all input and output systems free from build-up, which can affect water access and the smooth operation of the tank.
Whether your tank is an emergency water storage solution, a fire protection system, filled with drinking water, or designed to hold waste and effluent, proper cleaning and maintenance remain the most important investment to prolong the lifespan of your tank and ensure that what you are housing in the tank stays safely in there.
In this article, we’re considering the importance of tank cleaning across these different uses, from maximising the health and hygiene of drinking water to minimising operation obstacles within a fire protection tank.
Why Regular Tank Cleaning is Essential
When you neglect proper tank maintenance, the efficiency of that tank becomes compromised.
This affects both the tank itself and what is stored inside, with a build-up of sediment increasing the risk of clogged systems, while a rise in contaminants that aren’t effectively removed and cleaned equates to unhygienic and unclean water.
The Dangers of Sediment Build-Up and Contamination
Excessive sediment in water, whether it’s water for consumption or water that is being used for something else, can have a negative impact on the health of both humans and the surrounding environment and its ecosystem.
In its simplest terms, sediment muddies the water and can become a carrier for harmful chemicals and pollutants that get into the water via these small but detrimental particles. But that’s not all.
Even when not being consumed directly by humans, sediment in the water affects photosynthesis, which is the natural process we rely on for plant growth at the very base of the food chain. Add to this the impact of contaminated water as it runs into waterways and rivers, the disruption to aquatic life, and the impact of contaminated water on filters and internal systems, and you start to unlock a world of issues caused by a simple lack of tank maintenance.
Proactive cleaning of a water storage tank, regardless of how that water is being used, isn’t just a regulation for cleanliness but also for ensuring the tank access points remain unblocked. This is especially crucial for fire protection tanks and industrial processes that rely on a steady supply of water.
Traditional vs Advanced Tank Cleaning Methods
Now that we know a bit more about why regular tank cleaning and maintenance is so crucial, let’s consider the different cleaning methods and their potency.
Manual cleaning is undoubtedly a challenging task, requiring downtime on the part of the tank (emptying and rendering it out of action for a period of time), as well as an intense level of labour on the part of your maintenance team. Traditional tank cleaning can also be fairly dangerous, requiring comprehensive safety checks and the use of PPE to keep the team safe. The interior of a tank is considered a ‘confined space’ under health and safety regulations. It is best, wherever possible, to avoid people having to work in confined spaces.
The alternative method, and the one we consider a more advanced approach to cleaning, comes in the form of our vacuum-based sediment suction system. This robot is designed to facilitate a visual inspection and thorough internal cleaning of water tanks, checking for obstructions and clearing them with its sophisticated suction system. This robot is propelled through water with integrated thrusters and provides video feedback to operators via both a rear and front-facing camera.
How Franklin Hodge’s Tank Cleaning Solution Enhances Efficiency
When comparing the two cleaning solutions outlined above, it’s hard to argue with the efficiency of Franklin Hodge’s automated vacuum cleaner. A time-saving solution that provides a video feed back to its operator, supporting targeted cleaning and with a built-in suction to clear obstructions and direct other cleaning tools, this robot system is a valuable investment tool for teams navigating large and complex tank systems.
But it’s not just the team’s own working time that is saved. This kind of automated solution also extends the lifespan of the tank by ensuring that obstructions are identified well before they cause a lasting problem to its structure and functionality. What’s more, it keeps water free from contaminants, optimising water conservation and ensuring that the water being stored is safe to use both now and in the future.
The suction system of an automated cleaner does this without needing to drain the tank, making it a solution that can (and should) be executed on a regular basis without interfering with the operational use of the tank.
To find out more about tank-cleaning services and solutions that keep your water free from contaminants and prolong the lifespan of your tank, get in touch with Franklin Hodge directly today.
