Keeping water tanks clean is a vital part of maintaining your home’s supply of fresh drinking water. Tanks can contain sediment or algae that can lead to bitter tastes and odors. When left unchecked, these contaminates can cause serious health problems for your family. It is recommended that you get your tanks cleaned on a regular basis and that large ones are cleaned by professional cleaning service companies.
The first step in the cleaning process is to empty the tank. This can be done by opening the outlet valve or tap on the bottom of the tank. This will allow the water to flow out freely and be drained to a location that will not cause flooding or erosion around the tank.
Scrub the interior of the tank – This is the most important part of the cleaning process. You will need to scrub the inside of the tank with an abrasive brush or sponge, preferably one that is not made from steel bristles as these can damage plastic tanks. Scrub every surface of the tank, concentrating on areas that are difficult to reach and especially those where sludge or slime may have collected. You may need to use a power washer during this stage of the process, but you can also use brushes or a mop with an adjustable handle.
Once you have scrubbed the tank and removed as much sludge and residue as possible, it is time to disinfect the interior of the tank. You can use a solution of bleach and water (1 tablespoon of bleach for each gallon of water), or you can simply rinse the tank with hot water. After the tank has been sanitized and rinsed, it should be tested with a chlorine test strip to ensure that there is no residual chlorine in the water. cleaning water tanks