Full Article: Painting Water Tank Exteriors In-Service

Until a few years ago, water tanks were always drained before exterior surfaces were painted. Condensation, common on water tanks below the water line, made it necessary to drain tanks so that the moisture didn't create a situation that would lead to a coating failure. But a coating technology borrowed from the bridge and highway industry and pioneered for a new use by Sherwin-Williams Industrial & Marine Coatings is bringing changes to the water tank marketplace. During the last four years, at least 15 water tanks have been successfully painted while in-service. This is a breakthrough because in some municipalities and industrial facilities, draining water tanks can cause severe system strain