WHAT IS THE WARRANTY ON YOUR TANKS?
All water storage and hauling tanks carry a two year warranty from date of purchase. Should a defect appear within the warranty period, Innovative Plastics will supply a new, equivalent tank in replacement thereof. Innovative Plastics liability is limited to the value of the tank itself and specifically excludes the cost of installation and/or removal or consequential damages.
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY TANK IS UNDER WARRANTY?
All water storage and hauling tanks are warranted for two years from date of purchase, so it is very important that the customer retain the invoice received at the time of purchase and the original invoice kept until time of warranty has fully expired.
WHAT MATERIAL IS USED TO MAKE YOUR TANKS?
Innovative Plastics uses a linear, high-density polyethylene resin that provides outstanding environmental stress crack resistance. The resin is UV stabilized but by keeping the tank sheltered or indoors you will prolong the life of your tank.
ARE YOUR TANKS FDA APPROVED AND IS IT SAFE TO STORE WATER IN AN ABOVE GROUND TANK?
Yes, it is safe to store water in the above ground tanks and below ground cistern tanks shown on our website. The resin used to manufacture these tanks meets FDA specifications for safe storage of potable water.
DOES THE COLOR OF A TANK HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANCE?
Our standard color for premium weight tanks is a natural or white. Do not be misled into thinking that a color increases the life expectancy or UV resistance of a tank. However for water storage tanks Green or Black will decrease the amount of algae growth inside the tank as the dark colors better protect the water from the sun’s UV rays that cause algae growth.
HOW MUCH DOES WATER WEIGHT PER GALLON?
Typically you would weigh out a gallon of water at 10 lbs. Therefore if you are considering a water hauling tank you would need to keep in mind that a 200 gallon tank full of water will weigh 2000 lbs. As well with water storage tanks you would need to consider the strength of the sub structure in which the tank will be resting. A 5400 gallon water storage tank full of water would weigh 54000 lbs.
WHAT IS THE WALL THICKNESS OF YOUR TANKS?
Because the wall thickness varies from top to bottom on a tank, it is not the best gauge for determining the quality of a tank. The very bottom of the tank is the thinnest part of the tank and is made that way to flex when the tank is empty or full. Generally the wall becomes thicker as you go from the top to the bottom of a vertical tank. This is done to increase resistance to head pressure created by the height of the liquid in the tank. The radius of the tank is thicker to increase strength where it is most critical. The actual weight of the tank is also not a good comparison when shopping for tanks. Just because a competitor may use more material in the tank does not make it a better tank. That is determined by the resin, mold design and the steps taken during the roto-molding process.
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE THAT YOUR TANKS WILL WITHSTAND?
Polyethylene storage tanks have a maximum storage temperature of 120 degrees F. Contents with a temperature in excess of 120 degrees F-even for a short period of time-can weaken the tank's structural integrity and make it susceptible to deformation and failure.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO MY TANK IF I LEAVE IT OUTSIDE IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES?
The tank itself does not have a minimum temperature rating. If you plan to keep the liquid in the tank and you know that it will freeze, make sure that you leave room for expansion. The most likely part to crack on the tank is the bulkhead fitting which can be easily replaced. However we do offer heat tracing and foam insulated services for those who require an assurance that the fluid inside the tank does not freeze.
WHAT CHEMICALS CAN I STORE IN THE TANKS?
Several fertilizers and chemicals can be stored in above ground tanks. We strongly recommend that you contact the chemical manufacturer to see if their product is compatible with high density, linear polyethylene. If they cannot answer your question, please refer to the chemical chart for assistance. Please refer to the chemical list at the bottom of this page for assistance.
CAN I STORE PETROLEUM PRODUCTS IN THE TANKS?
We recommend that you do not store petroleum products in our tanks because they will soften the tank walls.
HOW MANY YEARS WILL MY TANK LAST?
There is no good way to determine the life span of a polyethylene tank. Many variables can have an effect on the tank - what type of material is being stored in the tank? Is the tank used indoors or outdoors? If the tank is outdoors, what part of the country are you located in? Tanks used outdoors in Arizona or Florida are subjected to more intense sunshine than in Minnesota for example. UV rays will have a detrimental effect on the life span of any poly tank. Is the tank being used strictly for stationary storage or for transport? Each of these factors will have an effect on a polyethylene tank.
I HAVE A TANK THAT IS SEVERAL YEARS OLD. HOW CAN I DETERMINE IF IT IS STILL SAFE FOR USE?
If a tank is beginning to show its age, you will be able to see fine fissures or hairline cracks referred to as crazing. Look for crazing on the dome of a vertical tank in the area where sunlight is most intense. The top of a transport tank, which has been allowed to set outside all year, is a good place to look as well. These fine cracks will become more intense and visible as time goes on and will become stress cracks. Giving the tank a good hit with a baseball bat is as good a test as any. The resilience of a good tank will be obvious. A tank beyond its life expectancy will sound dull when struck and could crack as a result. It is better to check early and be safe versus losing valuable chemicals and incurring cleanup expense. When a tank is determined to be unsafe or you know it is getting old, it is best to make it a non-drinking water only tank.
HOW SHOULD I PLUMB MY TANK?
Flexible connections should be used between the tank fitting and the pump to allow for expansion and contraction of the tank as it is filled and as liquid is withdrawn. A good quality flexible hose is best. We also recommend proper support under heavy valves and fittings that may be attached to the tank fitting. Please refer to the warning labels on our tanks for details. These plumbing recommendations will also extend the life of the tank by reducing stress on the tank.
CAN YOUR TANKS BE PRESSURIZED?
No, our tanks cannot be pressurized.
CAN YOUR TANKS BE BURIED?
Tanks specifically designed for above ground use cannot be put underground. If it is put below ground, the weight of the earth around the tank will cause the walls to collapse. We do make septic and cistern tanks that are designed to be buried. See Plastic Cistern & Sewage Tanks.
WHAT TYPE OF SURFACE IS REQUIRED FOR PLACEMENT OF A VERTICAL TANK?
Inspect the surface to ensure a smooth, level area that will supply full bottom support. A properly constructed concrete pad that is capable of supporting the contents of the tank is the best support and is recommended above 2,000 gallons. Other materials such as very flat blacktop, or contained, packed sand or pea gravel have been used successfully. All surfaces must maintain uniform support through freeze/thaw, erosion and other disturbances.
CAN I PAINT MY TANK?
Painting a tank is not something that we recommend but we know that it is frequently done. Once painted, the tank would not be covered under warranty
DO I NEED TO CLEAN MY TANK BEFORE USE AND IF SO, HOW DO I CLEAN IT?
Generally our manufactured tanks are ready to be used immediately, however due to some outside storage and transportation of tanks we cannot guarantee that the tanks will be perfectly clean upon arrival to the end user. If you are planning on using your tank for potable water storage, you may want to rinse it with a very mild bleach solution to sanitize the tank and then rinse it again with clean water following the bleach solution rinse.
COMMON DO'S AND DON'TS WITH POLY TANKS:
LIMITED WARRANTY
Subject to conditions identified below, Innovative Plastics Marketing (1992) Ltd. Hereby extends to the original ultimate user of a product storage or containment tank a
TWO YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY ON SAID PRODUCT
This limited warranty commences on the invoice date and extends foe a full 24 - month period there from.
Innovative Plastics Marketing (1992) Ltd. warrants to said original ultimate user that the product is free from defects or material and workmanship under normal use and service.
Proper installation is essential to the satisfactory performance of this tank; therefore, this warranty shall be null and void unless