Unsightly scene: Mud and bird feathers covering the inner surface of a water tank. — Image courtesy of Cuci Clean
PETALING JAYA: You diligently scrub the toilet, take out the trash and change the towels.
That’s the list of chores that most house-proud people would do.
But they could be neglecting one part of the house in the pursuit of hygiene.
Some water tanks can become lined with mud and algae – or even contain dead animals – if they are not cleaned periodically.
Yet, many Malaysians are oblivious to the dirt building up inside water tanks, which are kept in the roof of their home.
Master Plumbers Association Malaysia president David Tan Siew Kheng noticed that most people do not check their water tank unless there is a problem.
“After all, the water tank is not easily accessible. And it can be dangerous to climb up,” he said.
His advice?
“It is most important that residential water tanks have a tight cover.
“For many polypropylene water tanks, most covers don’t fit very well, so sometimes they are partially open.
“If the cover is not fully closed and there is a gap or opening, things can fall in,” he said.
Tan cited instances where even a rat could fall into the tank.
However, he eased concerns about drinking water, saying that the water supplied to the kitchen usually comes directly from the meter incoming pipe, while the water tank supplies the rest of the house with water for toilet usage and showers.
He recommends getting water tanks cleaned yearly.
Many homes also have a filter before the water goes into the tank. As such, these houses require less frequent water tank cleaning.
“However, the filters need maintenance and regular backwashing; if they are not maintained, it will affect the water tank’s cleanliness,” he said.
Penang Malay Contractors Association Malaysia president Datuk Seri Mohamed Fadzill Hassan also said very few homeowners would clean their tank.
“The water can be dirty. This is especially so after pipe repairs, when the water turn muddy,” he said.
Every house, he said, should have a water filter installed for the water tank. The filter should be regularly cleaned.
Water tank cleaning company manager Mohd Fadzlan Failul Rahman said he has found dead crows, cats, rats and even monitor lizards drowned in residential water tanks.
“Bear in mind that the water is used for showering and brushing your teeth,” he said.
Homeowners, he said, would usually only notice that something is not right when there is a stench.
“By then, the dead animal would have already started to decay for a few weeks,” he added.
“Other contaminants are rust from steel pipes entering the water tank.
“This is particularly so for older houses,” said Mohd Fadzlan.As for water tanks placed outdoors, he said there would be a lot of algal growth.
“People think that when the water is clear, the water tank is also clean. But that is not always the case,” he said.
Explaining the cleaning process, water tank specialist Junaidi Abdillah said the tank is first drained, leaving about half a metre of water to be used for cleaning.
Depending on the type of tank, he said a coarse sponge, water jet or scraper is used to remove sediment and dirt.
He said it is advisable to monitor the water’s appearance and smell to detect any unusual odour or appearance.
“If that happens, the tank should be cleaned promptly,” said Junaidi.
