Winter can be tough on tanks, especially when low temperatures creep in and stay for a while. Water expands as it freezes, which puts pressure on tank walls, joints and linings. If a tank isn’t looked after during these colder months, small problems can develop into something quite a bit worse by the time the weather warms up. Keeping an eye on your tank over winter isn’t just helpful, it’s necessary.
Regular tank inspections during the winter months help stop issues from slipping under your radar. Cracks, damaged seals and corrosion are all common winter problems that get worse if left untreated. It’s cheaper and easier to deal with minor issues early rather than face full system repairs down the track. Let’s look at practical ways to keep your tank safe and working throughout the season.
Inspecting For Winter-Related Damage
One of the first steps in winter tank care is checking for damage. The repeated freezing and thawing cycle can push water into tiny cracks that become bigger problems over time. Even sturdy concrete tanks can suffer from winter-related stress.
A proper winter inspection should include:
1. Cracks and fissures
Walk around your tank and examine all visible surfaces. Look closely at corners and stress points. Small cracks may widen during freeze periods and lead to leaks or wall separation.
2. Tank seals and linings
Check all joints, sealants and internal linings. If they seem brittle, cracked or loose, the cold might have worn them down. Ignoring these signs can lead to serious leaks during freeze-thaw cycles.
3. Rust and corrosion
Metal components like bolts, ladders or brackets are prone to rust, especially with winter moisture lingering around. Rust threatens the strength of fittings and can impact what’s stored inside the tank.
Spotting these issues early can prevent bigger failures later. We’ve had customers uncover a cracked seal mid-winter—had they waited, water loss and product contamination could’ve followed.
Preparing Your Tank For Cold Weather
Once inspections are done, taking preventive steps is your next move. Winter lasts for months, so it’s worth getting your tank fully ready before the worst of the cold hits. Here are a few reliable ways to prep:
– Insulate the tank and pipes
Use insulation sleeves or wraps on exposed pipes and tank sides. Choose materials that can handle wet weather for long periods. This helps avoid freezing in weak spots.
– Keep water levels stable
Too much water or too little can cause stress during expansion. Aim for a balanced level so that pressure on walls and fittings stays even.
– Use tank heaters
If your tank holds water that’s used over winter, install a small heater to keep internal temps from dropping too low. This is especially useful in frost-prone inland regions.
– Clear overflow paths
Blocked outlets cause buildup and pressure inside the tank. Check all overflow exits and remove ice or debris that might cause blockages.
– Secure tank lids
Loose or broken lids let in snow and pests. Keeping lids closed protects water quality and reduces frost exposure inside the tank.
Prepping only takes a short time but saves you the trouble of emergency repairs during a cold snap. A checklist helps stay on track and keeps downtime to a minimum.
Winter Maintenance Best Practices
Getting your tank ready for winter isn’t a one-off job. Ongoing maintenance through cold weather makes sure earlier prep doesn’t go to waste. Without follow-up checks, even well-insulated tanks can run into issues.
One constant concern is ice. Ice buildup on tank tops, lids and entry points adds weight and repeated stress, which can weaken the tank structure. It also makes inspections harder. Use soft brushes or tools to remove snow and ice. Stay away from metal tools that can damage surfaces.
Leaks are harder to manage in the cold. Cracks expand quicker in low temperatures. Escaping water can freeze, enlarging the opening. Look for signs like wet soil at the tank’s base, misting near lids or pools around valves. These all point to leaks that need attention fast.
It’s also a good time to keep an eye on the tank’s contents. Contamination can sneak up when temperatures drop. Water slows the breakdown of organic matter in the cold, which might mask problems. When warmer weather comes back, those problems can grow quickly. Test your stored contents at least once during deep winter.
Here are some key tasks to help keep tanks in good condition all season:
– Clear snow and ice from tops, covers and entry points
– Check often for signs of leaks after cold nights
– Look for frost near seams or panel joints
– Test water quality part-way through winter
– Make sure overflows are working and not blocked
– Keep lids fully shut and protect openings from wind and animals
Doing regular checks goes a long way. It’s easy to assume the worst of winter has passed, but a mid-season cold snap can bring just as much trouble.
Calling The Professionals
Sometimes, no matter how prepared you think the tank is, there’s value in getting a second set of eyes. Some problems hide quite well, especially during winter when visibility is lower and surfaces are slippery or frozen. This is where trained teams come in handy.
Even if your tank looks alright, that doesn’t tell the whole story. Things like bridge weld points, liners or joints could have unnoticed wear. Overflow pipes and inner walls might show stress deeper in. Professionals use specialist gear to see these problem spots without needing to drain the tank or get inside. That means no disruption to your use but full visibility on what’s going wrong.
They can also review whether any past patches or fixes are holding up. A seal applied last summer might now show signs of cracking due to freeze stress. It’s better to know for sure than to gamble through another month of frost and wind.
There’s peace of mind that comes with expert care. Whether your tank is for industrial work or residential supply, knowing it’s holding up under winter pressure is something most people can’t assess alone. If you don’t live on the property year-round or can’t inspect the tank regularly, scheduled professional maintenance is even more helpful.
Keeping Your Tank Safe All Winter Long
Winter is full of weather extremes. But that doesn’t mean tank issues have to spoil your season. With the right mix of inspections, preparation and follow-ups, there’s way less chance of damage sticking around or compounding. Keeping a close eye on cold-weather cracks, testing water and acting early can save you nasty surprises later.
Reliable tanks are ones that get looked after year-round. If liners show signs of giving out or if small cracks are turning into bigger repairs, finding and fixing now saves even more trouble when the weather shifts again. Cold conditions don’t leave room for delay. A steady maintenance plan is the best defence against tank failure.
Even when conditions are harsh and the tank isn’t top of the mind, a bit of care helps things run trouble-free into spring. If you’re unsure what damage signs look like or want to be certain, bringing in trained eyes is always the smarter call. Don’t let a loose lid or silent crack become next season’s big worry. Act early and your tank will perform with no fuss, no matter how cold it gets.
As winter sets in, make sure your tanks are ready to handle the cold with preventative measures and routine checks. Staying on top of maintenance can help avoid costly issues and extend your tank’s lifespan. For expert help keeping your tank in good shape this season, ATM Tanks offers reliable tank inspections to catch problems early and keep things running smoothly.
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