catchment liner question

[terracore]

How long do properly covered catchment liners normally last?  Our tank appears to be leaking and I can't determine where.  I'm pretty sure it's the original liner about 14 years old.

Suggestions?

[HiloJulie]

Our first (10,000 gallon galvanized tank) lasted 21 years. It died because one small root grew up on the bottom and eventually punctured the liner. 

If that had not happened, I don’t know how much longer it would have lasted. 

I would recommend that when getting a new liner, whatever the diameter of the tank is, go with the next bigger diameter tank liner. This will give you a good 2 plus feet or more of “overhang” on the outside of the tank reducing any potential slippage of the liner back into the tank which happened to us on 3 occasions with the old liner.

[Durian Fiend]

My 30 year old tank has the original liner. A very small leak has developed over the past couple years, so I should drain it down, inspect the tank and replace at least the liner.
Losing all the water and the prospect of a very costly tank replacement are both painful to contemplate, hence my tendency to procrastinate.

OTOH it'd be better to do on my own schedule than experience a bursting water tank, as seen at Hawaiian Acres Association.

[Punaperson]

My first tank liner lasted about 20 years, the second one about 15, now on the third.

Depending on the location, many small leaks can be patched with kits that were available at Ace. To find the leak, get some food grade coloring, available at supermarkets in the baking section. Put drops every 2-3 feet around the inside edge of the tank, and watch where the plume travels. The red and orange are easier to see than the blue or the green.

['elepaio]

20k with domed out bottom, on year 18. Fit it properly with vac it in place. No need over size if done correctly.
Signed,
Former liner pool installer.

[Punawilliams]

How long do properly covered catchment liners normally last?  Our tank appears to be leaking and I can't determine where.  I'm pretty sure it's the original liner about 14 years old.

Suggestions?

FYI ours started leaking when the "spider" frame that holds up the cover rusted and broke, then fell into the tank. It poked a tiny hole resulting in a slow leak. We went to various catchment companies inquiring as to pricing on replacement and Waterworks quoted an outrageous price but followed with, but this patch kit costs $9.99.  I said, "We'll take that".  Drained our tank, pumped the last water out then wet vaccumed it out. Dried it with paper towels then cleaned it with a bleach solution by hand looking for the hole. It was about a 1" slit but we found it, patched it and would have been all done except for the pair of scissors used to cut the patch got dropped on the way out of the tank.  After the 2nd patch, waited a day, filled that puppy and it has been beautiful ever since. This was a life saver. I know people say oh, just go ahead and replace it but why do that if you don't have to?  Sure, you may end up with a couple days with an empty tank but to save a thousand dollars?  Well worth it and would do it again. Ours is probably as old or older than yours.  If you have the money to spend, that could be a different story. But like a washer or dryer that dies. Why not spend the $13 to change a replacement part vs. thousands for new appliances? Call me cheap, but I'd rather spend the bucks on something else where I have no choice.

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How long do properly covered catchment liners normally last?  Our tank appears to be leaking and I can't determine where.  I'm pretty sure it's the original liner about 14 years old.

Suggestions?

FYI ours started leaking when the "spider" frame that holds up the cover rusted and broke, then fell into the tank. It poked a tiny hole resulting in a slow leak. We went to various catchment companies inquiring as to pricing on replacement and Waterworks quoted an outrageous price but followed with, but this patch kit costs $9.99.  I said, "We'll take that".  Drained our tank, pumped the last water out then wet vaccumed it out. Dried it with paper towels then cleaned it with a bleach solution by hand looking for the hole. It was about a 1" slit but we found it, patched it and would have been all done except for the pair of scissors used to cut the patch got dropped on the way out of the tank.  After the 2nd patch, waited a day, filled that puppy and it has been beautiful ever since. This was a life saver. I know people say oh, just go ahead and replace it but why do that if you don't have to?  Sure, you may end up with a couple days with an empty tank but to save a thousand dollars?  Well worth it and would do it again. Ours is probably as old or older than yours.  If you have the money to spend, that could be a different story. But like a washer or dryer that dies. Why not spend the $13 to change a replacement part vs. thousands for new appliances? Call me cheap, but I'd rather spend the bucks on something else where I have no choice.

Added note:  We purchased one of those fiberglass (?) green tanks about 500 gallons for the price of a new liner. We used it while cleaning our tank and we use it as "back up" and piped in overflow to it. We water our livestock from it and if needed, have an additional water source from a tank that will last pretty much forever. It was a good investment. My husband also piped my greenhouse water from it and added a nice little solar pump and fan. Now I water my greenhouse daily from it. Every time it rains good and there is overflow, it fills that 500 gallon tank. It is a great arrangement. That is what we spent the $1000 on instead of an unneeded liner. Someday we will need a liner, perhaps, but not for many many years.