Get a Manway!

Domestic Hot Water Storage Tank Maintenance

I'm amazed by the amount of large Domestic Hot Water Storage Tanks we see in Condominiums, Hotels, Hospitals and Recreational Centres that lack manway covers.  You cannot properly maintain a Domestic Hot Water Storage Tank without a manway cover.

Every 2-3 years a Domestic Hot Water Storage Tank should be opened to replace the existing anodes that are used to protect the unlined areas of the tank.  After 10-15 years the cement lining begins to fail, therefore it no loner provides beneficial protection to the tank. At this point the tank should be relined to prevent further damage from occurring. If both services are maintained ...a tank will outlast the building.

Without the manway access for maintenance you have one option, replacement.  This is expensive and inconvenient.  Large tanks without manway covers are not easily replaced.  They are usually in a penthouse boiler room or in the basement boiler room.  In order to replace a DHWST, you would have to: smash out walls, hire a helicopter or crane, shut down a street, have certified welders in to cut out the old tank or manufacture one on site...and most importantly...be without hot water, while these procedures are taking place.  Very expensive an inconvenient.

The solution is simple.  If you are having a new tank installed...make sure it has a manway.  If you have a large DHWST without a manway...one can easily be installed.

Remeber...

One emergency situation will cost you more than 15 years of preventative maintenance.

So to wrap this up...

Get a Man-Way!

Jason Rusnak
Director of Business Development
Provincial Tank Lining and Inspections Inc.
226.668.1032
www.ProvTank.com