OLD TANK GONE, SITE LEFT CLEAN

Why old tanks are worth removing

A derelict tank is not a neutral thing to leave standing. It is a hazard and a liability.

The usual reasons people call: - The tank is unsafe to climb or stand near - Open water is a drowning risk around children and stock - Standing water breeds mosquitoes - A rusted shell is dropping sharp steel where stock and machinery go - The footprint is wanted for a new tank, a shed or a paddock - A property is being sold and the tank is a marked defect

How the job is assessed

Before quoting we look at what the tank is made of, how it was built, what access the site has, and whether anything hazardous is involved.

Old tanks sometimes carry lead based paint, and very old structures can involve asbestos containing sheeting. If we suspect it, we stop and tell you, and that material is handled by a licensed removalist under the relevant rules rather than by us. We will not guess about that, and we will not quietly cart it away.

How the removal is done

The tank is drained to a point where the water can safely discharge. The roof is taken down in sections, then the wall sheets are unbolted or cut down in a controlled sequence so nothing collapses.

The liner and any contaminated base material are lifted out. Steel is separated and sent for recycling where the condition allows. Concrete tanks are broken down and the material is carted off.

The pad is then cleared and levelled. If you are putting a new tank in the same spot, we prepare the base on the same visit and there is no second mobilisation charge.

What it costs

Cost is driven by tank size, the material, site access for a truck, and tip fees for whatever cannot be recycled. Steel tanks are cheaper to remove than concrete tanks because the material is lighter and has scrap value.

Combining removal with a new tank install is the cheapest way to do it. Indicative ranges are below and every job is quoted firm after inspection.

How long it takes

A typical steel farm tank comes down in a day. A large concrete tank takes two to three days including breaking down and carting the material.

The slow part is usually draining. Plan where that water goes before we arrive, especially on a sloping site or near a watercourse.

What you get afterwards

A cleared, levelled pad and a site free of loose steel, glass wool and liner offcuts. We take the material with us rather than stacking it behind the shed.

There is no product warranty on a removal, because nothing is left behind. What we do warrant is that the site is left safe and the material is disposed of properly. If you need documentation of disposal for a sale or an audit, ask for it at quote stage.