coatings

Surface Preparation: Key to Protective Coating Excellence

Surface Preparation: Key to Protective Coating Excellence

The old adage “preparation is key” couldn’t ring truer when applied to protective coatings in the corrosion prevention, water, and wastewater industries. Whether safeguarding a water storage tank against the elements or enhancing the lifespan of wastewater treatment process equipment, applying protective coatings is only as effective as the surface preparation performed before it is applied.  V&A’s new blog post discusses the significance of surface preparation and provides an overview of industry standards. Protective coatings offer the first line of defense against the harmful effects of a corrosive environment on infrastructure.

Protective Coatings on Welded Steel Storage Tanks: Is It Time to Repair or Replace?

Protective Coatings on Welded Steel Storage Tanks: Is It Time to Repair or Replace?

The decision to repair or replace a protective coating on welded steel storage tanks depends on several factors, including the condition of the existing coating, the extent of damage or deterioration, the remaining service life of the storage tank, budget considerations, and environmental considerations.

Generally, a high-quality protective coating on a well-maintained welded steel storage tank can sometimes have a lifespan of 20 to 40 years or even longer. However, premature coating failure can occur due to various factors, and ongoing inspections and maintenance are crucial to ensuring the longevity of the coating.

How does an owner know when to repair or replace protective coatings?

Metallic Corrosion: Methods for Assessing Structure Condition

Metallic Corrosion: Methods for Assessing Structure Condition

Metallic surfaces and structures commonly found in the water and wastewater industry include pipelines, gates, treatment plant basins, reinforcing steel embedded in concrete structures, access lids, and steel tanks. Metallic assets are critical components of water and wastewater systems; however, these assets are susceptible to corrosion which can be detrimental to system operations.

Engineers employ various methods to prevent electrochemical reactions from causing corrosion damage to metallic surfaces. Regular intervals of condition assessment are critical to evaluating metallic structure assets to identify and counteract corrosion before it becomes a costly and devastating problem.