What Different Types of Underground Tanks Are Available?
Installing an underground water tank on your property is a wise investment. Besides lowering your monthly utility bills, it gives you peace of mind whenever there’s an outage.
The four main types of underground tanks are concrete, composite overwrapped, metallic, and polycarbonate.
Concrete Tanks
Concrete tanks are the most popular domestic storage solution. Construction involves excavation of the installation site and levelling of the base. After this, the contractor lays the foundation and starts building the walls, reinforcing the corners with solid steel bars. The last step is to apply waterproof cement.
The most significant advantage of concrete underground tanks is flexibility. If your region has rugged terrain or you have limited land, readymade tanks are not practical choices. Concrete tanks are the best choice because you build them on-site, allowing you to set your preferred dimensions and shape.
Besides, concrete is durable and algae-resistant. An underground tank can last for up to 50 years with little maintenance. Also, unlike plastic, its resistance to algae means water doesn’t lose its taste when preserved in these tanks.
On the downside, concrete tanks take time to construct. You might wait for up to 12 months to start using the structure.
Composite Wrapped Tanks
Composite over-wrapped tanks consist of two or more materials with different physical properties. The most commonly used materials are plastic, glass fibre, and carbon fibre, mixed in varying proportions to create a rigid composite. The wrapping acts as a shield that protects the composite and extends its lifespan.
Metal composites are also used to make tanks, although they are costlier. In these cases, manufacturers blend metal with other materials, mostly clay and natural compounds. A mixture of metal and earthenware is called Cermet.
Composite tanks are durable and easy to install. However, they are costly and can be susceptible to corrosion.
Metallic Tanks
The primary materials used to construct metal tanks are aluminium and steel. Construction involves excavating the site and assembling the metallic sheets on-site. These tanks are ready to use after the assembly of the metal sheets.
One of the lesser-known uses of underground water tanks is keeping wastewater. Metallic tanks are excellent at this, as their good conductivity helps them to absorb heat. In addition, the high temperatures create favourable conditions for decomposers, enabling the quick breakdown of solid waste in the sewage. So if you want an underground septic tank, consider choosing metal.
On the downside, metallic sheets, especially steel, are prone to rust. Rust contaminates water, making it unsuitable for human consumption. Over time, it weakens the structure, causing leaks that require expensive repairs.
Aluminium tanks are rust-resistant but cost more than other underground storage options.
Polycarbonate Tanks
Plastic tanks are the most affordable water storage solution, above-ground and underground. Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic polymer made by melting different plastics. It was developed to replace glass but has benefited other sectors due to its robustness and lightweight nature.
Like other plastic tanks, polycarbonate units are ready to use after installation. So you don’t have to wait months to start enjoying the benefits.
The most significant disadvantage of polycarbonate is its thermal expansivity. It expands when exposed to high temperatures, and this can cause issues if you live in hot regions.
Wrapping Up
Water is a critical resource to every household – without it, there’s an increased risk of disease and a filthy environment. Underground water tanks are gaining popularity due to their discreetness, flexibility, and variety.
Concrete units are the best if you’re planning to install a tank. They guarantee clean water and a long lifespan, with little maintenance required. Even better, they’re more affordable than metallic tanks.
