Straight answers to the questions we hear most from condo, apartment, hospital, hotel and commercial building managers about their domestic hot water storage tanks.
The inside of a commercial hot water storage tank with a failing lining and corrosion on the steel.
Who relines commercial hot water tanks in Canada?
Hydrastone Inc. specializes in inspecting, maintaining, repairing, relining and replacing domestic hot water storage tanks in commercial, institutional and multi-residential buildings across Canada. We have teams serving Ontario, Calgary and Vancouver, and our home office is in Guelph, Ontario.
Can a large commercial hot water tank be relined instead of replaced?
Usually, yes, as long as the tank has a manway and the steel shell is still structurally sound. A technician enters the tank, cleans and prepares the interior, repairs damaged areas and applies a new cement lining. That restores the protective barrier between the water and the steel and extends the tank’s service life without the cost and disruption of a replacement.
When does a tank need to be replaced?
Replacement is usually the right call when corrosion has spread into the tank body and the steel is flaking or pitting, or when the tank has leaked through the shell in more than one place. Hydrastone also handles complete tank replacement when a tank can’t be saved.
What is Alkrete?
Alkrete is the cement-based potable water lining that Hydrastone manufactures. It’s certified to CSA and NSF/ANSI 61 standards, and it’s the same lining Canadian tank manufacturers apply to domestic hot water tanks at the factory. When we reline a tank, we’re restoring the same lining system it was built with.
How often should commercial hot water tanks be inspected?
For most buildings, we recommend an inspection and maintenance visit every two years. Anodes deplete and linings deteriorate inside the tank, where you can’t see it during a normal walk-through, so regular inspection is the only reliable way to catch problems while relining is still an option.
What are the warning signs that a hot water tank needs attention?
Residents losing hot water or getting inconsistent temperatures, rust staining, visible corrosion around fittings, and water pooling around the base of the tank. A tank with an incomplete service history is also worth inspecting, because it can look fine from the outside while it deteriorates inside.
Can small glass-lined tanks be relined?
Smaller glass-lined tanks usually don’t have a manway, so they can’t be entered and relined. They still benefit from maintenance, including anode replacement, sediment cleaning, checking fittings and relief valves, and a written condition report.
What types of buildings does Hydrastone work in?
Condominiums, apartment buildings, hospitals, universities, hotels, office towers, airports and sports arenas. Our clients are mainly property managers, building owners, institutions and facility teams.
Does Hydrastone offer a free assessment?
Yes. We’ll complete a free tank assessment, identify visible signs of deterioration and give you a written recommendation for maintenance, repair, relining or replacement planning. Call 416-902-8265 in Toronto, 778-996-8265 in Vancouver or 403-466-8645 in Calgary, or email info@hydrastone.com.
