Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank

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Comfr3y

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Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank
« on: November 22, 2014, 10:33 »
Morning

I've got a few small holes in an old galvanised metal cold water tank I want to use as a rainwater butt.

Any ideas on waterproofing?

I'm thinking that gluing a membrane inside is easiest - the metal s thinning so patching dosent seem a long term idea not sure if there's a spray membrane.

any thoughts from bright sparks?

comf

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davetoddy

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Re: Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2014, 10:55 »
pond liner

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8doubles

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Re: Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2014, 11:56 »
From the outside,
Gutter bolt
Washer to cover size of hole (can be cut from thick plastic )
Tank
Silicone mastic
Washer
Nut

On every hole!

Wire brush and silicone on the inside for the rest of the thin bits !

A metal tank is a thing you will have to keep maintaining !


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Kevin67

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Re: Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2014, 12:27 »
It depends on the extent of the thinning of metal and the life you can eek out of it against the weight of the water which will bring about a quicker demise.

Is it so important to have this right now? You might come across a cheap or free plastic barrel or other suitable container in your journeys over the next few months. The time you spend fixing and maintaining will just be wasted.
« Last Edit: November 22, 2014, 12:28 by Kevin67 »
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AlaninCarlisle

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Re: Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2014, 12:46 »
I had the identical issue of a tank that was more patches and washers than virgin material. A trip to recycling yard and an old 500 gallon oil-tank solved the problem

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Comfr3y

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Re: Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank
« Reply #5 on: November 23, 2014, 13:45 »
good thoughts = thanks. not so crucial to use this particular but its been sitting there challenging me. i'll line it i think. cheers

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Kristen

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Re: Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank
« Reply #6 on: November 25, 2014, 10:06 »
Large irrigations tanks often use a grain silo, lined with Butyl liner - I presume there is a fair bit of "wastage" folding up the sides! but no need to attempt to make the overlapping corrugated galvanised sheets water tight - so hopefully that bodes well for lining a leaky butt :)



http://www.rainwaterharvesting.co.uk/rainwater-storage-tanks/tank-corrugated-steel-tank-63644-litre/73-24-05/39/
« Last Edit: November 25, 2014, 10:07 by Kristen »

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LotuSeed

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Re: Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2014, 11:05 »
Pond liners aren't all that cheap, especially for the good, heavy duty stuff. The thinner stuff can freeze and crack in really cold weather too. (I'd assume being kept above ground where it would be exposed to temperature extremes would make it worse). Also if the barrel has any sharp or rough, rusty spots on the inside, that can compromise the integrity of the liner.
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JayG

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Re: Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank
« Reply #8 on: November 25, 2014, 13:13 »
Yes, pond liner isn't cheap although my PVC one has remained intact for about 10 years so far, but it does have an additional liner (a bit like horticultural fleece) to protect it from sharp objects underneath.

Might not be cost-effective when you price it up, but if you do go for it be prepared for an almighty wrestling match if the weather is cold (meaning less than about 20C!  ::))
Sow your seeds, plant your plants. What's the difference? A couple of weeks or more when answering possible queries!

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R Tallentire

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Re: Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank
« Reply #9 on: December 04, 2014, 09:56 »
I had the same problem with an old "dolly tub" used as a butt. I just put a council bin liner in, fastened to the top with clothes pegs. I didn't expect it to work but it did. Seemed to accelerate the rust though, the bottom of the tub is now lace curtains.
R Tallentire

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shedmeister

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Re: Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2014, 14:30 »
Clean around the holes and mig weld them.  Never fails
May the fork be with you

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mjg000

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Re: Lining a Leaky old metal Water Tank
« Reply #11 on: February 11, 2015, 19:54 »
I've given up on my leaky old water tank and now use it to dump all the bramble cuttings which seem to sink down year by year and go on giving me space!



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