You may be navigating our website and wondering what a tank liner is. This blog post will outline what this is, and why you should use tank lining in your water tanks. Most water tank liners are made of a water-resistant material called Butyl rubber or EPDM. Both materials are approved by WRAS (Water Regulations Approval Scheme).
We are sure you now have additional questions, such as what’s the difference between Butyl rubber and EPDM? What types of tanks would you use the two materials for? Not to fear, as all will be explained in this post.
What is a Butyl Rubber Liner?
The first material we will talk about is Butyl rubber. This odourless material is a synthetic rubber used in potable water storage tanks. It has excellent water resistance and the ability to create a tight seal in tanks to prevent leaking. The material is approved by the UK Water Regulations Approval Scheme for use in contact with potable water.
How about an EPDM Liner?
EPDM Liners are made from three different materials – ethylene, propylene and diene. Most commonly used in Sprinkler water tanks. By using an EPDM liner you are increasing the lifespan of your water tank by at least a decade. Echo Square provides both EPDM and Butyl liners with a 10-year warranty against leaking.
The Benefits of using Water Tank Liners
So, of course, you would like to know the benefits of using Water Tank Liners. We have listed the top benefits of using them in your water tanks. However, please make sure your water tank has been checked by an industry expert first, to ensure a liner is beneficial for you.
Water Resistance
As we mentioned earlier in this article, both Butyl rubber and EPDM are water-resistant. This allows them to provide tanks with a water-proof seal which stops the tanks from leaking. Because of their closely packed molecular structure, they are also resistant to the transmission of liquids or vapour.
Excellent Temperature Ranges
Both materials have a huge temperature range, starting from -30°C (brrrrgghh), to +120°C. For prolonged periods though, it’s recommended to have a maximum temperature of 60°C. For advice on ambient temperatures, please get in touch.
Durability and Elasticity
Butyl Rubber and EPDM will not be affected even when the material is stretched up to 300% of normal size. They also have outstanding resistance to abrasive wear, cracking, puncturing or tearing. It is recommended, however that during installation, clean rubber soled footwear is worn.
Resistance to Chemicals
Both materials are resistant to the use of chlorine, with sterilisation to BS7600 being acceptable.
Easy to Repair
If materials such as these are punctured in any way, then they are easy to repair without the need of long downtime. These materials can easily be repaired by a heat/pressure process. We can confirm that using this repair process doesn’t affect the integrity of the liners.
Conclusion
To conclude this blog post, it is highly recommended to use a lining in your water tanks. It can prevent the risk of tanks leaking, which leaves your tanks exposed, which can contaminate the water within.
If you need this service, you can contact us. To find more information check the Tank Lining page.
