Generally, how long will a water storage tank's interior coating protect the interior?

• A. 1-2 years
• B. 6-8 years
• C. 3-5 years
• D. 9-12 years

Answer: (C)

Interior coatings act as a barrier between the water and the tank’s metal, preventing corrosion and keeping the interior in good condition. Over time, exposure to disinfectants, varying water chemistry, cleaning, and abrasion wears that barrier down, reducing its protective effectiveness. Because of these factors, the coating’s ability to protect the interior generally falls within a few years, so plan for re-coating roughly every 3 to 5 years. Shorter intervals are uncommon unless the water is highly aggressive or the coating was poorly applied, while longer intervals increase the risk of coating failure. So, the 3-5 year range is the most typical expectation.