Updated on: September 17, 2024

How To Deal With A Leaking Fire Sprinkler Tank

how to deal with a leaking fire sprinkler tank

Do you suspect that something might be wrong with your fire sprinkler tank? This article will help you decide if you are experiencing a water tank leak and inform you on how to fix a fire sprinkler leak.

A well-maintained sprinkler tank should endure multiple decades. But when left untouched for prolonged periods, deterioration can occur quite rapidly, and the problems with your tank can spiral out of control. However, fast thinking and swift action can greatly improve your chances of solving your problems quickly. 

Water tank leaks aren’t often the end of the world but should be fixed quickly to ensure that your water tank is still fit for use. However, fire sprinklers are an important health and safety measure that shouldn’t be neglected and forgotten.

How to identify a leaking sprinkler tank

If you notice any water on the surface of your tank or the floor around it, you’re dealing with a water tank leak. If you’d still like to ensure there is a leak before contacting us and there isn’t a visible puddle on the floor, you could wipe a paper towel across the seals and valves. The towel will soak up the water at the source of the leak. The seals and the valves are the first places where corrosion and leaks are likely to occur, so they’re the best places to look first.  

However, the most fool proof way to identify the sources of leaks in your fire tank is to consult a professional water tank repair technician. 

Here at COVAC, we employ a team of highly-skilled experts that are knowledgeable in various degrees of sprinkler tank deterioration and will be able to advise you as to whether the problem you’re facing is fixable, or whether you should simply replace your tank. 

Our technicians know how to fix a sprinkler leak and the steps to take to identify the problem and provide a full and detailed diagnosis. They will do this by utilising ultrasound equipment that will detect abnormalities on the surface of the tank. 

Once the leak is identified, our team will advise you about your options.

Infographic showing steps on how to identify whether your sprinkler tank is leaking.

Why do sprinkler tanks leak?

Similarly to any type of water tank, sprinkler tanks leak because of corrosion and natural deterioration. 

Corrosion and deterioration occur naturally over the years and can be helped, but not completely avoided. The reason deterioration is bound to happen is because the water is in constant contact with metallic components, sand, rock, or naturally occurring bacteria. This contact causes a reaction called oxidation.

Water tank leaks can happen as a result of oxidation. A process in which rust, sediment, and algae can form and cling to the internal walls and floor of the tank. This can cause the material in the tank to blister, crack, or otherwise become weakened and encourage leaks. 

HOW TO FIX A FIRE SPRINKLER TANK LEAK

You mustn’t attempt to fix a fire sprinkler tank without professional intervention. The training required to properly fix a water tank leak is not something that comes naturally and you could find it necessary to spend even more money than you had initially anticipated, should something go wrong. 

Aside from the monetary aspect, you could put yourself in danger if you don’t know the specific safety protocols involved in sprinkler tank repair. 

Here at COVAC, we provide a 10-year guarantee on all of our services. That’s because we are confident that we can offer you the best service possible while ensuring that your sprinkler tank remains of a high standard for many years.

How to avoid further problems

Now that you know how to fix a sprinkler tank leak, it is important to understand what steps you can take to ensure that your tank doesn’t require any more repairs in the near future. The first thing that you can do is arrange yearly tank inspections. 

Yearly tank inspections can help you to identify any issues that may arise within your tank that could cause leaks, such as sediment, algae, or rust, and solve them quickly before they become unmanageable. 

As well as annual tank inspections, water tank lining is a great way to ensure that you don’t encounter any more leaks. Our steel fire sprinkler tanks are coated with ACOTHANE DW coating to ensure that your tank can function for years to come without the risk of corrosion developing. 

Corrosion can provide the essential nutrients for bacteria such as legionella to grow, which is why it is so important that your tank lining is high-quality and installed correctly. At COVAC, we can point you in the right direction and help you to prevent any more potential issues from occurring in the future.

How COVAC Can Help You

At COVAC, we offer a range of services designed to address water tank leaks and corrosion effectively. If you suspect a leak in your water tank, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today. With our unwavering 10-year guarantee on all services, you can trust us to provide the support you need.




  • UKAS ISO 14001

    Cert No. 22946

  • UKAS ISO 14001

    Cert No. 22946