Clean Your Tank Regularly - Your Rain Water Tank

Fix Leaks : As rain water tank get older they can to form cracks and leak. This can arise from ground movements or structural defects like rust (in the case of steel tanks). When fixing a tank, there are only a few methods that can be considered:


Application of a sealant

pros – inexpensive for concrete tanks if done properly and is some cases the water won’t need to be drained before application.

cons – will not generally work on poly tanks, and needs to be flexible to accommodate tank movement.

Welding (plastic or steel)

pros – This is an effective way to repair poly tanks, as done properly the weld is about as strong as the original plastic.

cons – need to remove water to make repairs, and join strength is dependent on the skill of the operator.

Use of a tank liner

pros – very flexible and will move accommodate ground movements easily. Custom made to fit any tank. Usually comes with a 10yr guarantee. Will fit any almost any tank that is still structurally sound. Does not usually need the same level of preparation as applied coatings do. Also if you can get inside the tank, you can usually install the liner yourself.

cons – you will have to empty the tank. Must be careful with abrasive surfaces as it is possible to puncture lining.

For More Detail Visit:-  Water Tank

Time to get your Swimming Pool Ready 2 simple things you should do with any swimming pool

Winter is definitely gone and summer is soon to be here. If you have a Pool Cover  now is the time to prepare it for the heavy use of summer. There is nothing like the joy that having a swimming pool in your own backyard can bring. Not only can you cool down on hot days, but they enhance the look of your backyard. But swimming pools can be expensive to maintain, especially when the chemistry gets out of balance. Before you dive on in, thereThese are 2 basic things you can do to maintain a healthy swimming pool and reduce the time you looking after it.

Chemical Balance:

The most important aspect of any swimming pool is to keep all the chemicals in check and at optimum levels. Maintenance need not be time consuming either, and should only take a few minutes each day. To ensure the right pool chemical balance,

Daily (around 5mins when all is good with the pool)

1. check that the water is crystal clear
2. check there is no build up of algae. Especially check around ‘dead’ areas like pool steps where water flow isn’t as great.
3. check there is a good flow from the water jets
4. check there is a good flow of water in the skimmer
5. check there is no excess leaves or other debris in the pool
6. make sure there is correct pressure in the pool filter

Twice A Week (around 30 mins)

1. measure chlorine, pH and stabiliser levels
2. clean out the skimmer
3. brush the sides and bottom of the pool

Weekly

1. dose of phosphate remover

 Monthly

1. professional check on water levels by local pool shop

Regular maintenance will prevent the need for pool “shocking” and actually save you a lot of time in the long run buy addressing problems before they get out of hand. When the pool balance gets too far out and you have to pool “Shock”, you have to wait at least 1 day before you can swim, so regular checking of chemical levels means your pool is not only always ready for fun, but your chemical usage is at its minimum (which is good for your health too!). A quick brush of the pool surface once or twice a week also removes build up more easily that if it is left harden over time.

Fabric Solutions Provide Cost Effective Pool Cover

Pool Cover are a great addition to a pool, making maintenance easier and cheaper. By looking after your pool cover you can maximize its useful lifespan and get the most out of your pool.

Once you have worked out the best solution for what you want to do, and have installed it, make sure to adjust any chemical settings as needed. Water quality and conditions can vary greatly from place to place, so consult with your local pool shop. They are usually best to advise for the area that you live in. Managing your chemical levels is quite import as evaporation rates and the amount of UV entering the pool drops. This means there is less chlorine breakdown, so you don’t need as much. Too much chlorine will also affect your pool cover, shortening its useful lifespan. In fact too much chlorine will have a bigger effect on a pool blanket than UV exposure.

The last part to consider is how you store you pool cover. This is an important part that many people overlook. Ideally your pool cover is stored on a roller with its own supplied cover. This keeps it away from the weather, sun as well as protecting it. It also makes it a lot easier to remove and install the pool cover and you are less likely to damage it. If you can’t afford a pool cover, you should try to dry your cover as much as possible before folding it. Otherwise pool water becomes trapped inside the folders. Also store the pool cover away from sunlight and weather in a place that it won’t get bumped.

Website:- http://www.fabricsolutions.com.au

 Address:- 21-23 Access Ave, Yatala, QLD 4207

 Country:- AUSTRALIA

 Post Code:- 4207

 Phone: 0738070200

 Fax: +61 (07) 3807 8217

 Email: info@fabricsolutions.com.au

Most important aspect of any pool liners

Pool liners are a great and cost effective way to rejuvenate a pool.There is nothing like the joy that having a swimming pool in your own backyard can bring. Not only can you cool down on hot days, but they enhance the look of your backyard.  But swimming pools can be expensive to maintain, especially when the chemistry gets out of balance. These are 2 basic things you can do to maintain a healthy swimming pool and reduce the time you looking after it.

Chemical Balance: The most important aspect of any swimming pool is to keep all the chemicals in check and at optimum levels. Maintenance need not be time consuming either, and should only take a few minutes each day. To ensure the right pool chemical balance,

Daily (around 5mins when all is good with the pool)
1.    check that the water is crystal clear
2.    check there is no build up of algae. Especially check around ‘dead’ areas like pool steps where water flow isn’t as great.
3.    check there is a good flow from the water jets
4.    check there is a good flow of water in the skimmer
5.    check there is no excess leaves or other debris in the pool
6.    make sure there is correct pressure in the pool filter

Twice A Week (around 30 mins)
1.    measure chlorine, pH and stabiliser levels
2.    clean out the skimmer
3.    brush the sides and bottom of the pool

Weekly
1.    dose of phosphate remover

Monthly

1. Professional check on water levels by local pool shop

Regular maintenance will prevent the need for pool “shocking” and actually save you a lot of time in the long run buy addressing problems before they get out of hand. When the pool balance gets too far out and you have to pool “Shock”, you have to wait at least 1 day before you can swim, so regular checking of chemical levels means your pool is not only always ready for fun, but your chemical usage is at its minimum (which is good for your health too!). A quick brush of the pool surface once or twice a week also removes build up more easily that if it is left harden over time. Inground or aboveground there are lot of patterns available and they are custom made to fit your pool exactly.

For many aboveground pools, they are pretty simple to measure and nearly all are made to a standard size. Even better for the DIY person is that with a bit of care its not too hard to install one yourself.

Inground pools are a different matter though. Nearly all inground pools are custom made, so no two are the same. The installer will use a special 3D measuring tool to measure the exact shape of the pool shell. This is then feed into a computer, which will pattern a new liner. This liner then needs to be installed by a professional crew in order to ensure a perfect fit that will last the longest.

Use a Pool Cover: Debris entering the pool is one of the largest sources of contaminants (the other being the people who swim in it!). So when not in use, cover the pool with a pool blanket. Besides eliminating a lot of debris, there are many other benefits to a pool cover that make them a cost effective choice, including;
1.    reduces chemical usage, this is mandatory too! When the levels are too high, they can damage the pool cover.
2.    traps heat in winter, making the pool warmer by up to 8oC
3.    helps keep dust and debris out, which means you pool is cleaner for longer
4.    significantly reduces water evaporation

There are a number of differences in pool blankets, the biggest being the quality. But the basic rule of thumb is that the thinner the pool blanket, the shorter the lifespan. A pool blankets thickness is measured in microns and typically come in 400, 500 and 600 micron thicknesses. Always when installing, make sure the pool cover is installed bubble side down. Higher end pool blankets will also have some sort of thermal insulation. You should also consider a pool roller system, as they are the easiest way to store and care for your pool blanket when not in use.

How to Look After Your Water Tank Liner

Tank Liners are great way to extend the life of a leaking tank. Looked after properly, a Tank Liners will provide many years of service. To make sure you do get the maximum lifespan from a liner, there are a few maintenance procedures you should follow. Regardless of how the tank is maintained, it is recommended that the tank is inspected at least every 2 years for sludge and sediment build up at the bottom of the tank. Also check that all openings, inlets and overflows are either securely closed or that insect proof mesh is used.

Preventing Contamination: - As with health, prevention is the best cure. So to, if you minimise or stop contamination from entering the tank, then cleaning is easier and sludge and containments will take longer to build up.

1. Keep roof areas clear of overhanging vegetation. This also stops roosting points for birds and access by small animals such as possums, rodents and cats.
2. Make sure hatches are closed and use screens over inlets and overflows to prevent access by small animals and birds.
3. Keep gutters clean and use gutter shields to stop the collection of larger material.
4. Make sure all piping is compliant to Australian standards
5. Do not connect to any part of the roof where containments maybe present, such as bitumen coated roofs, preservative treated woods, uncoated lead flashing etc.
6. Do no swim inside a storage tank
7. Prevent mosquitos breeding. Anywhere water can pool can become a breeding ground for mosquitos and other insects. Use tight fitting lids or insect proof screens on all access points, inlets and overflow areas. Both Queensland and the Northern Territory specify screens as follows:

Qld – brass, copper, aluminium or stainless steel gauze no coarser than 1 mm aperture measure.

NT – brass or bronze wire not coarser than 7 meshes to the centimetre (each way) and of 33 gauge wire.

What To Look For:- Aside from regular inspections, you should regularly check the water condition. Rainwater from a water tank should be soft, clear and almost tasteless. If any of these changes, your tank needs to be inspected. There are 3 basic changes with the water to look out for:

1. changes to the colour of the water. If it becomes discoloured it is a sign that there are containments in the water
2. smells and foul odours are signs that algae might be growing, there is rotting vegetation or dead animals are present.
3. Foul taste is also a sign that containments are present.

Cleaning A Tank:- Over time sludge and other debris will accumulate at the bottom of a tank. How fast this occurs will depend on a number of factors. Usually the sludge at the bottom of a tank can be siphoned off without the need to empty the tank. If the debris is coarse, you may need to use a hose up to 50 mm in diameter.

In some cases you may need to drain the tank to clean it. Choose carefully what you will clean the tank with as harsh chemicals can destroy a tank liner or can contaminate the water. Also be careful not to damage the liner when cleaning, so this means don’t wear shoes and avoid using any sharp instruments that can tear or pierce the liner. For extreme cases, such as a dead animal has been in the tank, consider using a professional tank cleaning service.

If you do enter the tank, ensure that there is adequate ventilation and work with at least one other person present.

The Australian Government has a comprehensive resource guide on tank water contaminates and cleaning. 

https://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/D3E8C00F3041304BCA257BF0001C685A/$File/env_rainwater.pdf

Hayman Island Swimming Pool Renovation

The magnificent pool that is the key feature to Hayman Island was part of a refurbishment project. The pool is equal in size to 7 Olympic sized pools, and is the largest in swimming pool in the southern hemisphere. This luxurious pool forms part of the pool wing where visitors staying in the pool rooms can have direct access to the pool.

The pool was recently part of a major renovation and rebranding effort at Hayman Island Swimming Pool, being rebranded as a “One and Only” resort.

Fabric Solutions were selected in October 2013 to undertake the complex relining of the pool with a special heavy duty scrim reinforced swimming pool liner.

Because of the immense size of the project there were many complex hurdles that needed to overcome to deliver what the resort wanted in the time line required. These included:

1. The sheer size of the pool.
2. The complex shape due to it being integrated with some of the resort accommodation plus a large central island.
3. The resort is in the Whitsundays which is subtropical and subject to wet weather. Never a good proposition when all of the installation works needed to be done outside. Rain and wind can play havoc with installation.
4. Very tight time line for completion.
5. Working with and around other trades also involved in the renovation of the resort.

The initial step was to do a full survey of the pool to work out the shape and size of the pool liner needed. Mark Stewart of All Terrain Surveys was engaged to go to Hayman Island to do this. This was a little problematic as the pool was full as the resort was still operating at this time (closed 15^th January 2014).

Around 3 days was needed to survey the entire pool, after which the data was processed using state of the art software so that the pool liner could be shaped and designed.

The liner was manufactured in 10 large sections at Fabric Solutions’ Yatala factory which is then installed and sealed on site. The liner is manufactured in order to reduce the time on site and reduce the potential for weather interruptions.

Once the pool liner sections are shipped, at the same time the first group of installers leave to meet the semi trailer at Airlie Beech to catch the dedicated barge to Hayman Island. Preparation work is the first job on the list, with some concrete work and cutting a grove into the concrete structure to fix the top of the liner into, used to create the below water seal.

The weather was not kind and most days there was some rain. On one occasion, it rained for 3 days and this put around 150,000 litres of rain water into the pool. All that can be done is to hook up the pumps and then dry off the liner and keep going. This particular storm cost the team around 5 days in lost time. I guess this goes with the territory when you are working on a project in the open.

4.5 weeks after starting, we finally had all the sections joined and secured into the sealing groove at the top. Now, it was time to fill the pool. The pool volume is around 8.5 million litres, so it was decided to fill direct form the ocean. This in itself created issues as the large pumps brought in to do the filling could only pump during high tide as the suction pipes of the pumps were high and dry during low tide. After 2.5 days of high tide only filling and the pool was full.

It was time for the project weary install crew to pack up and head back to Brisbane. Another commercial liner install project completed on time, on budget and on spec by Fabric Solutions Australia.

Spill bunds reduce risk of contamination and subsequent plant

Our population is growing, Industry is expanding & technology is changing. We can no longer ignore the impact industry has on our environment. Every step possible needs to be taken to protect the environment.

With the harsh chemicals and fuels being used on a daily basis there is a very real danger of spills leading to contamination of the surrounding environment. These spills may be minor such as a leak in a container or leaky fitting. It could also be more substantial such as equipment failure where the entire contents of the container are suddenly released.

When a chemical spill occurs, there are important steps that need to be taken to minimize the impact on the environment and limit the damage.

• Control the source of the spill – Where ever possible and practical steps must be taken to stop or minimize the spill. If a spray hose bursts turn off the appropriate valves to prevent further spillage. Consult the Material Data Sheet for guidelines (MSDS) Spill bunds and secondary containment systems are a great solution to minimize the damage of a spill.

• Contain the spill – It is vitally important to contain the spilled liquid or material in a confined area to prevent the substance from spreading over a wide area causing more damage. Minimize the risk and damage by using a spill bund. A spill bund will contain the spill. The spill should ideally be cleaned and cleared away as soon as possible to minimize damage. It is important to prevent any spill flowing into any body of water especially storm water drains.

• Isolate the area concerned (if appropriate) – Safety first! Access should be restricted and competent qualified personal should handle the cleanup operation. Ideally if the spill is particularity dangerous or toxic someone should be stationed at the spill site until the hazards materials are cleaned up.

• Contact the authorities (if appropriate) – If the spill enters drains, storm water drains, water ways or can damage the environment / pose a health threat to the public the fire brigade, Public health authorities or appropriate authorities should be notified as soon as possible.

• Clean up the spill – All protective measures need to be adhered to at all times.

Protective clothing and equipment need to be used to ensure personal safety of the individuals involved with the cleanup operation.

Spill bunds are a preventative measure that will contain spills and reduce the impact of spills on the environment. Spill bunds are custom made to required sizes and designed to contain the entire volume of material. They are cost effective solutions that can be reused if cared for and maintained properly.

Spill bunds reduce the risk of contamination and subsequent plant damage.

Once the spill is contained and cleared away it is advisable that the original vessel / Container are cleaned as part of the clean up procedure. The spill bund will contain the water residue until it the pumped out and disposed of safely.

Protection of our environment is paramount – it is the only one we have!

For More Information Visit: – Spill Bunds

Temporary Water Storage with a Portable Bladder Tank

There are many ways water can be stored temporarily and depending on the application you should consider  carefully the following options.Water storage is often required on a temporary basis in many areas and applications. It may not be efficient or economical to install permanent tanks. An ideal solution is to buy a portable water bladder.

Types of portable water tanks:-

Bladder Tanks

Bladder tanks are fully enclosed shaped bladders used for the storage of liquids and are usually not self supporting. 

The shape is custom made to fit the surrounding structure.Examples of shaped bladders include: water storage in the keel of yachts, storage to fit into the companionway on large yachts, to fit into shipping containers, under verandahs, under seats and in floor wells of vehicles etc. These bladders often used to store fuel, sewerage, grey water or potable water.

Pillow Tanks

Pillow tanks are a type of bladder tank, and are self supporting and have no walls as such. As they grow in height when filled, space is stolen from the edges of the bladder, giving it the traditional curved shape towards the middle. Pillow tanks need to be made very strong in order to withstand the constant stress loads. This will also limit the fill height that a bladder can go to.Pillow tanks, otherwise known as bladders and bladder tanks, are collapsible, portable tanks capable of storing a wide range of fluids including water, fuels, chemicals, oils, gases, liquids, effluents and slurries.

Recreational Bladders

When camping for long periods of time, it is handy to carry extra fuel and water with you. A recreational bladder is just a bladder used for camping or fishing purposes. It is very useful as it can fit into various recesses of the car such as a footwell or in the back seat.

Onion Tanks

Onion tanks are just a self erecting liquid storage tank with a access hole at the top. They grow to the size of the liquid contained within and are usually made from heavy duty reinforced PVC. They are setup

very quickly and are quite often found in firefighting applications where hydrants aren’t readily available. Commonly used where remote water supplied are needed.Onion tanks are a perfect solution for temporary liquid or chemical storage and where rapid deployment is required. They are also designed for ongoing use and an onion tank will, when properly maintained will offer a long service life.. Since no two applications are the same, we also use a wide range of materials. We can meet your specific storage requirements, whether you are storing potable water, chemical waste or some other liquid.

Portable Spill Bunds

Portable spill bunds are another class of temporary water storage. Smaller version are used in the prevention of spills and leaks, while larger versions can hold water or other liquids temporarily. They have self supporting walls and are often designed so that a vehicle or machinery can be driven in for wash down applications.

For More Information Visit:- Recreational Bladders