Are Plastic Water Tanks Better than Concrete Water Tanks?

No home can survive without water tanks. It is impossible to carry on with our daily chores without water tanks. That is why all professional home repair services provide water tank cleaning services.

The two most common types of household water tanks are concrete or cement tanks and plastic tanks. Sound knowledge of their differences and their pros and cons is critical for you as a homeowner. It would help you make the most economical decision.

In this post, we will discuss both these types of water tanks in detail.

Remember, all kinds of tanks need cleaning. Get your tank cleaned by professionals on an annual basis. It is a strenuous task, so do not try to do it yourself. Open Google and type anything like, ‘home repair services near me’, or ‘the best home repair services near me’.

Concrete Tanks

First, we will discuss cement water tanks or concrete water tanks. They generally are durable and strong. Also, they are not easy to handle because of their huge size.

5000G tank may weigh about 8 tons. These tanks are usually installed underground. However, smaller ones can be installed above ground as well.

The new cement tanks may have higher levels of pH of water. Often they impart taste and leach lime. As a result, you probably need to flush the tanks before use.

Companies often deliver concrete water tanks to the site in a complete ready-made form. Movers crane them off from the truck and put onto a prepared sand base. Sometimes, these tanks come in one to three pieces.

Concrete sections are sealed primarily with a rubber or synthetic sealing ring. It can also be some form of Sealant. Hereafter, the sealant is applied to the inside of the tank at the join. The purpose is to stop the water from leaking out.

The two most common complaints are cracking and leakage. You can repair the cracks if it is easy to drain the tank. In the worst-case scenario, the plastic liner could be required. It is the worst-case scenario because the plastic liner is expensive. Besides, not all home repair services provide this. 

So does it make plastic tanks more preferable? The answer is yes. Because the standard for concrete tanks allows for a certain amount of leakage, but the standard of plastic tanks allows no leakage at all.

Plastic Tanks

Plastic water tanks are one of the most common types. They have been in the market for around two decades. The construction material of plastic tanks must be at least of food-grade. As the purpose of water human consumption, the plastic material must comply with the requirements of the potable-water standard.

The best non-corrosive tank material is Polyethylene (Poly). It is designed for long life. It will not rust or suffer from corrosion, like the metal and concrete tanks do in their lifetime. Poly tanks are light in weight and easy to handle. No heavy equipment is required.

Usually, Poly tanks are made in one single piece. They have no joints or seams where part of the tank has been welded together. Moreover, no sealants are used to join any parts of the tank together.

At the end of their service life, Polyethylene tanks can be recycled. However, recycled plastic cannot make water tanks. It is because potable water regulations only allow virgin plastics to be used.

But many other product applications are there for recycled plastic. It can have new sun and heat protection added and go on for another lifetime.

The Pros of Concrete Tanks

1. You can build them the ground.
2. The insulation value of concrete makes the water cool. However, this is subject to weather conditions. In countries like Pakistan, this sole advantage eclipses all the cons of concrete tanks. Intense summer is the reason, of course. People crave cool water.

The Cons of Concrete Tanks

1. Earthquakes can damage them permanently.
2. It is not easy to fit the new outlet.
3. Installation or building is difficult.
4. They are expensive.

The Pros of Plastic Tanks

1. They are very easy to maneuver into a position. 
2. To retrofit the outlets is relatively straightforward.
3. The flexibility allows them to withstand earthquakes.
4. Buying and installation are cost-effective.

The Cons of Plastic Tanks

1. They can not keep the water cool.
2. They can not be fully buried. Planting may help you hide them.

The Final Word

Hopefully, now you have a clear understanding of both mainstream types of household water tanks.

You might be thinking, ‘Can I easily find home repair services near me for my water tank maintenance?’. Well, the answer is promising.

Water tanks cleaning and maintenance is a whole industry and core feature of home repair services.

No objective answer exists to which type of water tank is better. It can be different for different individuals. Some of the contributing factors are geographic location, budget, and nature of use.