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cabair72 wrote:

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Wow!  Thanks the detailed reply.

 

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Raystown Roof Cleaning Central PA 1-800-236-0322 wrote:

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I've used these tanks for a long time also with out issue. I think there are issues though with leaking,...and it's due to the gasket at the bulkhead. I think it is probably also more common with the larger tanks that have more weight continually pushing on an inferior gasket material. Just speculating though, as I've seen both reports over the years about these bulkheads,...I just think everyone has different experiences is all.


Jeff

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Jeff and Scott and everyone else,

I sometimes play the devil's advocate here on the RCIA board. Most of the time I let others bicker and fuss over the details and let the chips fall where they may.

Occasionally I really need to put my foot down and EXPLAIN myself.

This is ONE of those times.

The chance of a Bulkhead leaking over time with the inevitability of being in constant contact with the chemical components we mix and use for roof cleaning is very good over time.

Each of us has our way of use and the way the tank is mounted may come into play? Some of our different views are based on experience, others on hearsay, and still other information trickles down through the grapevine, sometimes getting distorted in ways OVER time.

Here is my take on this whole subject.

First off, More SLOSH may provide higher pressure levels at the bulkhead which means a possible failure point and leak?

Who knows for sure?

The manufacturer. Why, BECAUSE they TEST for these and OTHER SCENARIOS.

For our purposes, whenever possible, tanks should be mounted to minimize liquid movement when in TRANSIT and while mobile.

They SHOULD be OPTIMALLY strapped down using a METAL band or hoop and QUALITY Galvanized bolts, washers and lock washers and nuts compatible with the weight/payload.

And for OUR purposes a NEW guy or veteran purchasing a NEW chemical storage tank should have the best, most RELIABLE INFORMATION, wouldn't you all agree?

We need to reference the manufacturers info on the tank and on compatiblity.

Therefore, so we do NOT CONFUSE others here with misinformation we should ALWAYS look at the MANUFACTURERS, Chemical Compatibility rating for the SPECIFIC tank we are getting ready to purchase.

So, it STANDS to reason, wouldn't you all agree that some tanks are possibly, NOT THE SAME as OTHER TANKS?

I have researched this, spoke to the manufacturers and the technical support personnel and have seen tanks fail in the field for various reasons.

From what I am reading, most others do not have the background or enough experience in various climates, over years of personal use and through seeing other systems failure points with different tanks in different scenarios to make this assumption?

Therefore, listen up, ONCE AGAIN, anyone buying a NEW tank SHOULD ALWAYS buy a tank with NO BULKHEAD in the bottom of the tank ANYWHERE. (This is for roof cleaners or those using and applying chemicals and carrying them in a MOBILE environment). If you are buying new tanks that are going to be used for Pressure Washing-Cleaning with their use PRIMARILY for water storage for use as a buffer tank then buy a tank with a pre-installed bulkhead as the gaskets will PROBABLY not see the use and constant exposure to cleaning agents that may eventually weaken or soften EDPM, SANTOPRENE, BUNA or OTHER gasket materials.

This is just common sense as it ELIMINATES the chance of ANY LEAKS occurring as there is no way for this to occur UNLESS the tank is punctured. or ruptured.

By you all that have been in business doing roof or pressure cleaning a relatively SHORT while using these tanks in this capacity and stating I haven't had this problem with leaking DOES not mean you will not in the FUTURE.

It is IMPORTANT to remember that I cleaned my first roof in the Pacific Northwest back in 1985. When did you do your first cleaning, build your first mobile unit or plumb or cut your teeth in this business?

I am really trying now and most always, to be patient, but some of the info you may think you know may not be as FACTUAL as some of you more recent cleaning contractors may think. I try hard not to offend anyone and that is not what I am trying to do now.

I am simply stating information and sticking to my guns here based on EXPERIENCE.

I have seen a lot in my roof cleaning and pressure cleaning past and all I am trying to do here is provide the best, LONG TERM SOLUTION, for someone buying and spending their hard earned dollars on a tank so that they get MAXIMUM BENEFIT and eliminate leaks down the road.

By PULLING your cleaning AGENT from THE TOP of the TANK you save yourself possible long term headaches?

And why NOT do this as it is RARE that once you buy tanks that you will need to buy them again, unless you are building another trailer or roof cleaning setup.

So why find out LATER, what could be AVOIDED by simple planning and intelligent per-planning, research and purchase the RIGHT tank for chemical storage the FIRST TIME rather than have to later, remove the bulkhead, add a new seal and reinstall?

Also, there is FACTUAL proven, Documentation that certain POLY tanks will FAIL PREMATURELY when exposed to SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE over time, i.e. splitting, cracking, checking, bulging and eventual RUPTURE.

So, please guys don't split hairs with me here or I will back all this up with an assortment of .PDF documentation,graphs, failure rates , charts, and chemical diatribe for you all to wade through to PROVE my point.

You have been in business doing roofs a relatively short time comparatively and this may be your FIRST, SECOND, or THIRD TRAILER BUILD at most.

I have participated or been around probably over 100 builds on flatbeds, open trailers, vans, enclosed trailers and have SEEN a lot of DIFFERENT SCENARIOS over time OCCUR.

Please, for the sake of the RIGHT info getting out there, can we agree that I MIGHT know SOMETHING here AND that this situation of possible leaking or tank failure MAY occur over time and that the BEST cast scenario would be that IF A PERSON wanting to buy a NEW TANK or a used TANK of ANY size may want PURCHASE one WITHOUT a PRE-INSTALLED BULKHEAD to ELIMINATE the potential of a LEAK, now or in a year and half or in FIVE YEARS in a tank being used for chemical just by SIMPLY, instead, Drilling and installing the BULKHEAD in the TOP?

And, that they may want to CONSIDER checking the CHEMICAL compatibility charts to make sure and to KNOW the materials used in the construction of the tank BEFORE purchase,RATHER than finding out after the fact they may have inadvertently or unknowingly bought a tank(s) that may not have the SPECIAL preventative compounds molded WITHIN the tank to SPECIFICALLY prevent degradation of tank materials to to SH exposure?

Enough said.

Respectfully,

David W.-

Operations Manager- Roof Clean USA

Assistant Admin.-RCIA