Water Tank Pads
Everything you need to know about designing, constructing and maintaining a water tank pad.
Concrete Paver Pad
Concrete pavers can be used as a base for our slimline, modline, square & round water tanks.
You must prepare an area before laying your pavers; the area must first be cleared, dug down to firm ground and levelled, concrete and sand mix spread out with a minimum thickness of 75mm.
As with a concrete pad, the entire base of the water tank must be supported, and the overall size should be at minimum 100mm larger than the dimensions of the tank itself.
You can then lay your pavers. There must not be a gap greater than 5mm between each paver. Once laid, ensure you water the area to set the concrete (ensure your hose is on the spray function as the jet function will dislodge the concrete and sand). You may place your tank on the pad at this stage; however, it is recommended that you only fill your tank up to 100mm (roughly two ribs) for a minimum of 48 hours to allow the pavers to settle and set.
Crusher Dust
Crusher dust pads are a great cost-effective option for our round tanks. You cannot use a crusher dust pad for any tank shape other than round.
A crusher dust pad must meet the following requirements. It should be a minimum of 100mm thick with particles no larger than a 3mm diameter, a minimum of 100mm greater diameter than the tank, and have a border of treated pine (or equivalent) and be compacted and level.
You must place a border around the pad as it prevents erosion from heavy rain, or burrowing animals. The tank may be filled at any stage after placing it on the pad, however, be mindful not to dig the edges of the tank into the crusher dust when placing it on the pad. It is recommended that a coarse aggregate be placed over the exposed area of the crusher dust, this will help prevent erosion.
Concrete Pad
Coast and Country Water Tanks highly recommends using a concrete pad for all of our water tanks as it provides the best support for your water tank.
The pad needs to be a minimum of 100mm wider and 100mm longer than that of the water tank. If the area is sloping, it is CCWT's recommendation that you consult a builder or engineer before attempting to build your concrete pad. A concrete slab will need time to cure, please allow a minimum of five days before placing your water tank on the pad.
Water Tank Stand
With water tank stands, it is essential to ensure that the stand is strong enough to support the weight of the tank. This is typically done by consulting a structural engineer who can evaluate the construction and footing of the stand to make sure it is sufficient tow withstand the maximum potential weight of the water tank. Additionally, the top of the stand must be flat, smooth, and level to ensure the stability of the tank. Tank stands come in various sizes and can be custom-made with different leg lengths to accommodate uneven or sloping terrain.
Please remember:
Any damage to your water tank that occurs due to the water tank pad not meeting the minimum requirements outlined will not be covered by your warranty.
All repair costs are quoted on a case-by-case basis and may be substantial.
Important Things to Consider
1. Water tank pads must be level. Sloping pads will void your warranty. Water will travel to the lowest point and place increased pressure on a single point. This will, eventually, result in the failure of your tank's structure over time.
2. All sections of the water tank must be fully supported. The weight of the water will concentrate in unsupported areas of the tank, pull the base away from the wall, and destroy your seal. Damage can vary from a small leak to structural damage that may be unrepairable.
3. Coast and Country Water Tank's steel bases are made from BlueScope's Double-Sided AQUAPLATE®, which means a polymer film is bonded to the steel, creating a separation between the steel and the tank's base. The material used to construct the pad must be smaller than 3mm (crusher dust, concrete or sand) to not damage the bottom of your water tank.