It was not long ago when water tank painting required tanks to be drained before work began. Condensation on the exterior made it impossible to paint a tank in service. Even quality coatings would fail duetothe moisture. This was another reason water tank painting was typically confined to summer, even though summer weather leads to peak water demand in most communities. As discussed in a previous post, difficulty developing a coating that adheredwell and cured quickly in winter was another big factor.

Painting a water tower can be challenging work. Water tank painting has traditionally been among the more complex commercial painting services. There is rarely a “good” time for a water tank to be out of commission. The requirements of coating application may be in conflict with the needs of those who rely on the water tower.

Advancements in containment and heating have made it easier to paint water tanks later in the year. This is significant because taking tanks out of service in the summer creates a variety of issues. Water tank painting is important, but it must be balanced against the ability to deliver water at the seasonal peak of demand. Downtime can cause significant service interruption.