Above ground storage tanks might look stable and indestructible, but they’re more vulnerable than you think. Even when partially buried or located in an underground vault, there are a large number of things that can cause damage to your fertilizer tanks every day without you even realizing it!

To help keep your fertilizer tanks in the best condition possible, it’s important to be able to recognize the ways your tanks can be damaged and take preventive actions against them. Here are three of the most common things that wreak havoc on liquid fertilizer tanks everywhere:

Tornadoes

In areas where agricultural industry is primarily located such as the midwest and the plains states, tornadoes are a regular weather occurrence. That’s bad news for any farm that relies on liquid fertilizer tanks, as tornadoes can cause severe damage to them in just a few seconds. There’s nothing you can really do to prevent a tornado from happening, but it’s important to have a plan in place where you can repair your tanks as soon as the tornado passes.

Corrosion

Fertilizer tanks are typically made with steel — so they are subject to rust and corrosion due to everyday weather exposure. Corrosion is a long-term process that gradually weakens the structure of your tanks and can even result in chemical leaks if left unrepaired. To prevent leaks, regularly inspect your tanks with the AP 635 standards for inspection.

Snowstorms

Wintertime is also a hazardous time of the year for any fertilizer tanks that are located above-ground. When the temperature drops, the walls of any fertilizer tank become more brittle and susceptible to breakage, especially when covered in snow and ice. To ward off this kind of damage, you can usually invest in a tank cover and take a number of other preventive measures.

Have any other questions about maintaining field erected tanks or liquid fertilizer tanks? Ask us anything by leaving a comment below! More.