Algae and Sludge Removal From Water Tank
Algae and sludge removal from a water tank is critical for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Water storage tanks are found everywhere; they can be in a home, apartment, housing society, office, hotel, hospital, school, factory, or a commercial building.
These tanks can face algae and sludge buildup issues, leading to the tank getting dirty and the stored water smelling bad, getting cloudy, or having particles.
This is where professional algae and sludge removal from the water tank comes into play. A good cleaning will help remove green algae, sludge, dirt, and other unwanted materials from the tank to make it presentable and the water potable.
But before diving into the removal process let us first understand what exactly are algae and sludge in a water tank?
What Is Algae and Sludge In A Water Tank?
Algae and sludge are two of the most common undesirable elements in a water tank. Algae is a greenish-brownish growth that occurs on the walls, floor, and other surfaces of a water tank, while sludge refers to the unwanted sediment that gets deposited at the bottom of the tank.
There are a variety of reasons why algae and sludge can occur in a water tank, and some of the primary reasons are mentioned below.
Irregular Tank Cleaning
One of the most common reasons why a water tank faces algae and sludge buildup problems is due to irregular and infrequent tank cleaning.
Poor Sealing Of Tank Lid
A water tank with a damaged or open lid is highly prone to facing problems like algae, sludge, dirt, and dust buildup.
Sediment In Water
Sediment, sand, rust, and other particles that are present in the water can also accumulate at the bottom of a water tank.
Exposed To Sunlight
Exposure to sunlight is one reason why sunlight can cause algae growth in the water tanks. Especially rooftop and plastic water tanks tend to get exposed to sunlight.
Rust From Pipes
Old and rusty metallic pipes are a significant contributor to rust, sediment, and sludge buildup in water tanks.
Stagnation Of Water
Stagnation of water for a long period of time can also lead to the development of a tank algae and sludge problem.
Now that we know what causes algae and sludge in a water tank let us discuss some signs that suggest it is time for a professional service.
Signs Of Algae And Sludge In A Water Tank
Here are some signs that indicate a need for algae and sludge removal from a water tank.
• Green spots on the walls of the tank
• Dark spots on the walls of the tank
• Thick and dense sediment at the bottom of the tank
• Cloudy water in the tank
• Brown or yellow water in the tank
• Bad or foul-smelling water in the tank
• Presence of floating particles in the water tank
• Presence of muddiness near the outlet of the tank
• Blockage of the tank’s filter
In some cases, a water tank can appear clean from the outside when in reality, there is a thick layer of sediment and sludge at the bottom of the tank. Therefore, it is essential to get a professional inspection done for the early detection of such issues.
Why Algae And Sludge Must Not Be Ignored?
Algae and sludge can severely impact maintenance and make the task of storing clean and healthy water much more challenging.
They can,
• Make the tank dirty,
• Give foul smells to the water,
• Result in less storage capacity,
• Cause blockage of the outlet,
• Trap dirt, sediment, and other unwanted materials,
• And, make it difficult to carry out future cleaning and maintenance activities.
Hence, algae and sludge removal from a water tank must be carried out to ensure the tank continues to offer the best possible service.
But what should one do if the tank contains algae and sludge?
Can We Just Drain The Water From The Tank To Remove Algae And Sludge?
Unfortunately, no. Simple draining of the tank is not enough to get rid of all the unwanted materials like sludge, sediment, algae, and more. A complete cleaning and proper maintenance will help to achieve the desired results.
So, the next question is, what is the process of professional algae and sludge removal from a water tank?
Algae And Sludge Removal – Professional Process
An experienced professional will carry out the following steps for algae and sludge removal from a water tank.
Step 1 – Inspection
The first thing a professional does is carry out an inspection of the water tank. This is done to understand the size, material, thickness of sludge and algae, height of the tank, ease of maintenance, wall condition, floor condition, and tank lid. All these factors will decide how the cleaning process will take place.
Step 2 – Drainage Of Water From The Tank
The next step involves the drainage of the stored water from the tank so that the walls, floor, and other surfaces can be inspected and treated accordingly. Depending on the size and capacity of the tank drainage can be a timely process.
Step 3 – Heavy Sludge Removal
The next step is to remove the heavy sludge that has accumulated at the bottom of the tank. Using heavy-duty wet vacuum machines the thick layers of sludge are extracted from the tank. This process is vital, especially for the tanks that have not been serviced for a long time.
Step 4 – Algae Scrubbing
Using proper scrubbing tools the walls and other surfaces of the tank are treated to remove all traces of green algae. Particular emphasis is given on the corners, joints, and other places where dirt and algae tend to get trapped.
Step 5 – Pressure Washing
Pressure washers are used to loosen up and remove any stubborn dirt, algae, or sediment that may have been left behind during the previous step.
This step is suitable in case of large RCC tanks.
Step 6 – Vacuum Cleaning
After the scrubbing and pressure washing process all the loosened dirt and water are sucked out using wet vacuum machines.
Step 7 – Sanitization
After the removal of all dirt, sludge, and algae, the tank is sanitized to ensure that it is safe and fit for future use according to its service needs.
Step 8 – Final Rinsing Of The Tank
A good rinsing of the tank is performed before the final step.
Step 9 – Final Inspection
The last step involves a final inspection to check if all dirt, algae, and sludge have been removed from the tank.
Now that we know the complete process of algae and sludge removal from a water tank let us look at the process in case of an RCC tank.
Algae And Sludge Removal From RCC Water Tanks
Algae and sludge removal from RCC water tanks tend to be more difficult as compared to plastic or sintex water tanks due to the fact that the surface of RCC tanks is slightly rough as compared to plastic tanks. As a result, dirt, algae, and sludge tend to get trapped in it more easily.
The process of professional RCC tank cleaning involves the following steps.
1. Inspection
2. Draining out the stored water
3. Heavy sludge removal
4. Algae scrubbing
5. Pressure washing
6. Vacuum cleaning
7. Sanitization
8. Final rinsing
9. Final inspection
So, this is the professional process for algae and sludge removal from an RCC water tank. Now let us understand the cleaning procedure for underground water tanks.
Algae And Sludge Removal From Underground Tanks
Since underground water tanks are heavily exposed to sediment, dirt, and other unwanted materials, they tend to accumulate thick layers of sludge at the bottom. While sunlight exposure is less for underground tanks, there are still chances of algae growth in such tanks. Hence, professional underground tank cleaning is advised.
The professional cleaning process for underground water tanks may involve the following steps.
1. Inspection
2. Draining out the stored water
3. Heavy sludge removal
4. Algae scrubbing
5. Pressure washing
6. Vacuum cleaning
7. Sanitization
8. Final rinsing
9. Final inspection
Since underground water tanks are heavy structures and difficult to reach, it is always advisable to hire professional underground tank cleaners.
Algae Removal From Overhead Water Tanks
As overhead water tanks are the most exposed of all water storage tanks, chances of algae growth are significantly higher. Moreover, sunlight exposure can be very high for such tanks. In case there is a crack or improper sealing of the lid, algae can develop inside the tank. Hence, regular overhead tank cleaning services are recommended.
On the other hand, for plastic and sintex water tanks regular cleaning is required to ensure that green algae, sludge, dirt, and other unwanted materials do not enter the tank.
Algae And Sludge Removal For Housing Societies
Housing societies have a lot of overhead and underground water tanks that serve hundreds of people in the society. As such, in case any of the tanks face a sludge or algae problem, it can be a challenge to deal with it. Professional housing society tank cleaning services can clean your RCC, underground, overhead, and plastic water tanks. It is highly advisable to conduct regular cleaning services for such tanks.
Algae And Sludge Removal For Commercial Properties
Commercial properties such as offices, hotels, hospitals, restaurants, schools, and malls are highly dependent on the water stored in overhead and underground water tanks. A professional commercial water tank cleaning service can help facility managers keep track of the maintenance schedule of the water tanks in their respective properties.
This can be especially beneficial for commercial properties with large tanks, multiple tanks, high water demand, and difficult access.
Algae And Sludge Removal For Factories And Industrial Units
Factories and industrial units can be huge in size and have various utility water tanks for a variety of purposes. Such tanks require specialized cleaning equipment. Algae and sludge removal from such tanks can be efficiently done using industrial-grade wet vacuums and pressure washers.
Benefits Of Professional Algae And Sludge Removal From Water Tank
Hiring a professional algae and sludge removal service come with a number of benefits such as the following.
1. Efficient removal of heavy sludge and sediment buildup
2. Efficient removal of stubborn algae
3. Deep cleaning of walls, floor, and other surfaces
4. Easy maintenance in the future
5. Time-saving
6. Suitable for large tanks
7. Suitable for commercial, society, RCC, and industrial water tanks
8. And more…
Thus, there are numerous benefits of hiring a professional algae and sludge removal service for your water storage tanks.
Cost Of Algae And Sludge Removal From Water Tank
The cost of algae and sludge removal from a water tank depends on a number of factors such as the size of the tank, type of tank, amount of sludge, level of algae, number of tanks, accessibility, and the location of the tank. Hence, it is difficult to provide an exact estimate without having all the details of the tank.
In general, a small plastic water tank with low levels of sludge and algae will cost less as compared to a large underground RCC water tank with high levels of sludge and algae.
How To Prevent Algae And Sludge Build-Up In Water Tanks?
Prevention can always be better and easier than cure. Similarly, in the case of algae and sludge in water tanks, it is always advisable to take precautions so that they do not form or develop in the first place.
Some of the key steps for preventing algae and sludge build-up in water tanks are mentioned below.
Always Keep The Tank Covered
A closed and properly sealed lid can help keep sunlight, dust, and unwanted materials away from the tank.
Always Keep An Eye On The Tank
Performing regular inspections of the tank can help detect any cracks or sludge or algae build-up at an early stage.
Do Not Wait For The Tank To Get Dirty
It is always advisable to carry out regular tank cleaning services rather than waiting for the tank to get dirty or develop an algae problem.
Keep An Eye On Inlet Pipes
Old pipes can lead to a whole host of problems for the water tank.
Do Not Keep The Tank Dirty For Long Periods Of Time
It is always better to clean the tank regularly rather than leaving it dirty for a long period of time.
Get An AMC For Regular Cleaning Services
A Water Tank AMC can help keep track and ensure that regular cleaning services are carried out on a scheduled basis.
Water Tank AMCÂ For Algae And Sludge Prevention
An Annual Maintenance Contract for a water tank can be highly beneficial for owners of underground, overhead, and RCC tanks. It involves inspection, regular cleaning, sludge removal, algae cleaning, pressure washing, and sanitization.
This can be a great service for housing societies, hotels, hospitals, schools, offices, factories, and commercial properties.
Algae And Sludge Removal From Water Tank In Delhi NCR
Delhi-NCR is home to millions of people who use water storage tanks of all sizes and shapes. With regular usage, dust, sediment, and other unwanted materials can accumulate inside the tank leading to a number of problems. Tank Clean India offers professional water tank cleaning services for residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
We offer algae and sludge removal services for RCC tanks, underground tanks, overhead tanks, plastic tanks, sintex tanks, society tanks, commercial tanks, and industrial tanks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are some of the frequently asked questions about algae and sludge in a water tank.
What Causes Algae In A Water Tank?
Algae generally develops due to exposure to sunlight, stagnant water, poor sealing, and irregular maintenance of the tank.
What Causes Sludge At The Bottom Of A Tank?
Sludge forms due to the accumulation of sediment, sand, rust, dust, and other unwanted materials at the bottom of the tank.
Can Algae And Sludge Be Removed Together?
Yes, algae and sludge can be removed together.
Is Draining The Water Enough To Remove Algae And Sludge?
No, draining the water from the tank is not enough to remove algae and sludge.
What Is The Cost Of Algae And Sludge Removal From A Water Tank?
The cost of algae and sludge removal from a water tank depends on a number of factors such as the size and type of the tank, level of contamination, and location.
Can An AMC Help Prevent Algae And Sludge Build-Up?
Yes, an annual maintenance contract can help prevent algae and sludge build-up in a water tank.
Why Choose Tank Clean India?
For residential, commercial, and industrial properties looking for professional algae and sludge removal services, Tank Clean India offers excellent water tank cleaning, maintenance, and repair solutions.
Professional cleaning can be beneficial for,
• Home water tanks
• Apartment water tanks
• Society water tanks
• Office water tanks
• Hotel water tanks
• Hospital water tanks
• School water tanks
• Restaurant water tanks
• Factory water tanks
• Industrial water tanks
• Warehouse water tanks
Our professional cleaning services can ensure that heavy sludge, algae, and dirt are removed from the tank making it easy to carry out future maintenance and inspections.
In conclusion, algae and sludge are among the most common problems experienced by water storage tanks. Algae generally develops on the walls and floor of the tank, while sludge refers to the unwanted sediment that gets deposited at the bottom of the tank.
Professional algae and sludge removal from a water tank involves inspection, drainage, sludge removal, wall scrubbing, floor scrubbing, pressure washing, vacuum cleaning, sanitization, and final rinsing. It is vital to get professional cleaning services done for an RCC, underground, overhead, plastic, society, commercial, and industrial tanks. If your water tank is experiencing green algae, thick sludge, sediment, dirty water, or foul smell, contact us for algae and sludge removal services.