*
After a day of unusually heavy use, I drained the tank on my compressor and noticed a heavy tinge of rust in the water. I generally let my compressor run with the drain valve open for a few minutes at the beginning of the day and at the end to try and dry out the tank to keep rust at bay.
As I was going about my business I began to wonder why the manufacturers haven’t come up with a way of rustproofing the inside of these tanks. Fortunately, I’ve never seen, but I’ve heard stories of catastrophic tank failures. It occurs to me that if tanks on compressors were more resistant to rust, the manufacturers would have a safer product in the long term. Anyone have any thoughts, or tips on how they keep their tanks in good shape or how the manufacturers might improve them?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Listeners write in about haunted pipes and building-science tomes, and they ask questions about roof venting and roof leaks.
Featured Video
How to Install Exterior Window TrimHighlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
*
in the letters section of fine home building, fall '99, this problem was addressed. there is a rust-proofing product that can be applied inside the compressor tanks to prevent corrosion&eventual explosion.
*I read the letter in FH from the guy whose friend had a tank failure. Scary. I live and work in seacoast Maine, and keep thinking about getting some local welder to make stainless tanks for mine. It's the only way I can think of to guarantee the strength. Until I read the other posting, I hadn't known about coatings.
*
After a day of unusually heavy use, I drained the tank on my compressor and noticed a heavy tinge of rust in the water. I generally let my compressor run with the drain valve open for a few minutes at the beginning of the day and at the end to try and dry out the tank to keep rust at bay.
As I was going about my business I began to wonder why the manufacturers haven't come up with a way of rustproofing the inside of these tanks. Fortunately, I've never seen, but I've heard stories of catastrophic tank failures. It occurs to me that if tanks on compressors were more resistant to rust, the manufacturers would have a safer product in the long term. Anyone have any thoughts, or tips on how they keep their tanks in good shape or how the manufacturers might improve them?