Keeping water towers in their best condition to get a full service life out of them involves expert water tower engineering, good maintenance, and frequent inspections to monitor their condition.
Inspections done by water tower engineering services assess, first and foremost, the physical state of the tower, but there are other factors that must also be considered.
Beyond how well the physical structure itself is holding up as the years pass, inspections performed by a qualified water tower engineering company must also look at the less obvious concerns that can affect how the tank functions.
Overlooked areas where contamination can be introduced into the vessel top the list.
-
Tank Vents - While tank vents are critical for keeping air pressure balanced as water enters and exits the tank, these vents are prime places where contamination can be introduced. Vents must be shrouded or capped, but also covered with a corrosion-free mesh to seal this entry point off. A well-affixed small mesh guard covering the open parts of the cap can most successfully prevent water, insects, and animals from entering the tank while permitting free airflow.
-
Overflows - Although tanks are designed by water tower engineering to have a low overflow pipe, and adding extensions to divert that water into a drain is routine, the end of the extension should not be closer than 24” off the ground. Overflows diverted directly into the ground or positioned closer than 24” of a drain grate risk contamination by backwash in the event of a flood that covers the end of the overflow.
-
Access Points - All points for accessing on, and into the tank must be securely locked and sealed to prevent unauthorized access and accidental or intentional contamination.
-
Telecom Installations - Tanks used to support telecommunication installations must be carefully inspected at all attachment points, as these are frequently done sloppily in ways that introduce water and other contaminants into the tanks. Water tower engineering inspectors many times find that telecom installations interfere with tank access, as well.
Don't Overlook These Vital Areas
Commonly overlooked, these are four areas where an inspector from a qualified water tower engineering company will look to ensure a tank is serviceable.
Any issue that could lead to the accidental introduction of contaminants into the vessel, whether via animal, human, or even a flood or other natural event, must be anticipated and these key locations properly guarded.
Experienced water tower engineering technicians can help to predict where contamination is most likely to occur and determine what must be done to prevent it.