Corroded and Leaking Cold Water Storage Tanks. London Tavern
Specialist Coatings GB Ltd. Fast turnaround for emergency tank repair to leaking cold water storage tanks. 20 years + new working life expected.
The Client
Two leaking cold-water tanks at the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich, London, required emergency repairs. During major renovations at the tavern, it was unexpectedly discovered that the cold-water storage tanks in the roof void were badly corroded and leaked water. The tanks were a pair of galvanised steel welded tanks of unknown age. Both were leaking in various places in the tank walls and around the pipe connections. The emergency was precipitated by a wedding scheduled at the venue for the following weekend. The landlord didn’t have time to replace the tanks, so an alternative solution was needed.
Challenges
This had to be treated as an emergency repair situation because the client had a wedding booked the following weekend and there was no time to replace the tanks.
As the tanks were positioned within the roof void of the business, the only access was via a roof hatch. On inspection, both tanks exhibited extreme and advanced corrosion. Due to the impending wedding, all work had to be completed within a single site visit and as quickly as possible. Due to the unanticipated expense, the client wanted a long-term and reliable repair solution.
Solution
We arrived on site Monday morning to find that the tanks had been drained for us over the weekend and were dry and ready for the start of our work.
Specialist Coatings (GB) Ltd: Corroded steel water tank repair and lining service.
We began by removing the loose rust and rust scale from the tank before cleaning it with a brush and vacuum in preparation for the application of our tank lining and repair system.
Our water tank joint repair system comprises several different resin layers, including an anti-corrosion coat and a woven fibreglass reinforcement bandage. In situations where holes and significant steel loss are present, we also incorporate galvanised steel plates to strengthen and reinforce the tank. This impervious, resin-based technology was developed specifically to treat heavily corroded tanks that may have been leaking, such as those found on this project. The work is finished in a light blue colour.
The Results
These were amongst some of the worst condition tanks that we have ever worked on.
Following cleaning and our surface preparation work, it was discovered that both tanks had significant steel loss in several areas. The first tank had seven holes in the steel, and the second tank had five.
We completed the work in just three days. The tanks were filled with water the next morning, and all leaks had been repaired. Our strong, yet flexible, anti-corrosion tank lining system will rejuvenate these tanks for many years to come. The owner will not have to incur the expense or inconvenience of replacing them. With suitable care, these refurbished tanks could last twenty years or more.
Specialist Coatings (GB) Ltd: Corroded steel water tank repair and lining service.
