Concrete Tanks and Ease of Installation In Comparison To Plastic Tanks
Installing a new waste water treatment tank is a decision which requires some planning and forethought. One of the considerations you should have is the ease with which the tank can be installed. Ease of site access is a major consideration as you will need to be able to get either crane access to lift in the tank as well as access with heavy machinery to dig the groundworks.
If the tank is a replacement tank, this is a very important consideration as, if the original tank has ruptured you will need to allow for substantial groundworks to dig out and clean up and repair the area in preparation for the new tank to be installed. Environmental regulations will also need to be complied with to fully inspect and restore the area prior to installation of a new tank.
Provided the ground is not extremely rocky and has been properly levelled and prepared for your new concrete Waste Water Treatment tank, there really shouldn’t be a major issue and installation should go smoothly. You may in some cases need a concrete base, but this is a one off cost and will provide a solid base for your tank if your site is prone to subsidence. You can also use risers for deep installation if required. If your current system is outdated or failing, a concrete treatment replacement tank is a very good long term solution which has a lifetime guarantee of at least 40 years.
You will require a truck mounted crane to lift the tank into place so site access works maybe required if your site access is not straight forward. The advantage of a concrete tank is that if you have a high water table a concrete tank provides the perfect solution because unlike a plastic tank it will not float should groundwater levels rise. Concrete tanks are incredibly strong and do not leak or crack in the same way that plastic tanks are prone to. So are a much better option thank plastic tanks which can fail over a 10 -15 year period of time.
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for excavation and to ensure that the installation is compliant with building control regulations ensuring that any pipework is diverted into the correct culverts. Moreover, it’s also important to understand the morphology of the area and whether or not that area is prone to flooding or subsidence.
If the site has any geotechnical complexities it is wise to obtain specialist advice prior to choice and installation of your concrete waste water tank. You will require a 100 mm depth of washed sand or crusher dust to provide a suitable base for the tank. Any installation machinery should only be operated by trained professionals and the site should be cordoned off to prevent unauthorised access during the installation period. Also take account of the weather conditions on the date of installation and ensure that conditions are favourable to avoid any ground slippage during heavy machinery use.
Clearing all debris and obstructions from the site and ensuring that a clean-cut hole is created will enable easier tank installation. A construction engineer will be able to advise on the suitable set back distances from boundaries and buildings nearby. Ensuring that any rocks or uneven ground has been cleared at the base of the site as any protrusions in the base or sides of the cavity could damage the tank when it is installed. If the structure requires footings to be underpinned, you will need to submit the tank specifications to the engineer.
