Cistern Liner Installation in Alfred, Ontario: Before and After
Quick answer: We installed a custom cistern liner in an oversized concrete cistern in Alfred, Ontario, east of Ottawa. The tank was 20 ft by 9 ft and 8 ft high, with a support post in the middle. We pumped it out, cleaned it, padded the walls and floor, fitted the liner and wrapped the post. No digging, and the yard stayed untouched.
This cistern liner installation in Alfred, Ontario was not a typical tank. It was one of the larger residential cisterns we see, and it had a concrete support post standing in the middle of it. Most liner jobs are a plain box. This one needed more planning.
Below is exactly what we found, what we did at each step, what it costs to line a cistern compared with replacing one, and how to tell if your own cistern is a candidate.
What we found in this Alfred cistern
The homeowner's cistern is an older poured concrete tank under the property. When we opened it up, the walls were dark and stained, there was sediment across the floor, and the old surface was worn. A support post in the middle holds up the concrete roof, which you rarely see in a home cistern.
| Location | Alfred, Ontario (Prescott-Russell, east of Ottawa) |
|---|---|
| Tank type | Poured concrete cistern |
| Size | 20 ft long x 9 ft wide x 8 ft high |
| Total volume | About 40,800 litres (about 9,000 imperial gallons) to the top |
| Obstacles | Centre support post, water line through the wall |
| Installed by | Cistern Liner Co. crew |
The volume is the full tank to the roof. The usable water level is lower. You can work out your own tank with our cistern volume calculator.
How a cistern liner installation works, step by step
A cistern liner installation has four main steps: empty and clean the tank, pad the walls and floor, fit the custom liner and fasten it at the top, then seal around anything that passes through the tank. Here is how each step looked on this job.
1. Pump out and clean to bare concrete
We pumped out the remaining water and sediment, then cleaned the walls and floor. A liner needs a clean surface with no sharp debris left behind. We also installed wood strapping along the top of the walls to fasten the liner to later.
2. Pad the walls and insulate the floor
Old concrete is rough. We taped foam padding to every wall and laid rigid foam board across the floor. The liner then sits on a smooth, cushioned surface instead of rubbing against bare concrete.
3. Fit the custom liner and fasten it at the top
The liner is made to the measured size of the tank. We unrolled it on the padded floor, worked it into the corners, then fastened it along the top of the walls to the wood strapping.
4. Seal around the support post and water line
This is the step that takes the most care. It is covered in detail in the next section. Once the post and the water line were done, we checked every seam and corner before the tank went back into service.
Not sure if your cistern can be lined?
Send us a few photos of the inside and rough measurements. We will tell you if a liner makes sense, including for odd sizes, posts and beams.
How do you line a cistern with a support post?
You line around the post, not over it. We padded the base of the post, then wrapped it in liner material from the floor up so it joins the main liner. The lining stays continuous across the floor and up the post, so water touches the liner instead of the old concrete column.
The water line coming through the wall was fitted the same way: the liner is cut and sealed around the pipe so the water system reconnects without a gap. If your cistern has posts, beams, steps or pipes, tell us when you ask for a quote. They change the fitting work and the price, but they rarely rule out a liner.
Cistern liner vs replacing the cistern
For a structurally sound cistern, a liner is usually the faster and cheaper fix. Replacement means digging out the old tank, installing a new one and restoring the yard. A liner works inside the tank you already have.
| Factor | Cistern liner | Replace the cistern |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $3,500 to $5,000 for the liner, before installation | $15,000 to $25,000 |
| Excavation | None | Yes, usually heavy equipment |
| Yard and landscaping | Untouched | Dug up, then restored |
| Existing tank | Stays in place | Removed or abandoned |
| DIY option | Yes, with a shipped liner | No |
| Best for | Sound structure that leaks or is worn | Failing or unstable structure |
A liner does not fix a cistern that is cracking apart or moving. Our full cistern liner vs replacement guide explains how to tell the difference.
How much does a cistern liner cost in Ontario?
Our custom cistern liners typically cost $3,500 to $5,000 before installation. Installation is quoted separately and depends on the job. That compares with $15,000 to $25,000 to replace a cistern. Your price depends mostly on tank size and how much fitting work the tank needs.
| What affects the price | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tank size | A bigger tank needs more liner and more padding. This Alfred cistern was on the large end. |
| Shape | Odd shapes, steps and compartments take more fabrication and fitting. |
| Obstacles | Posts, beams and pipes each need to be wrapped or sealed. |
| Condition | Heavy sediment or damaged surfaces add cleaning and prep time. |
| Installed or shipped | Our crew installs in Eastern Ontario. Elsewhere, we ship the liner for you or your contractor to install. |
The fastest way to a real number is to send photos and rough dimensions through our free cistern liner quote form. Our cistern measuring guide shows what to measure.
Signs your cistern needs a liner
If your cistern loses water it should not, or you keep patching the same tank, a liner is worth a look. Common signs:
- The water level drops when you are not using water
- You are refilling or hauling water more often than you used to
- Visible cracks, flaking or worn concrete inside the tank
- Patches or coatings that keep failing
- Damp ground or wet spots around the outside of the tank
We cover each of these in 7 signs you may need a cistern liner.
Where we install, and where we ship
Our crew installs cistern liners across rural Eastern Ontario, including the Alfred and Prescott-Russell area east of Ottawa. Everywhere else in Canada, we ship a custom liner and support you or a local installer through the job.
| Area | What we offer |
|---|---|
| Rural Eastern Ontario: from past Cobourg to the Calabogie area | Custom liner, installed by our crew |
| Prescott-Russell and rural areas east of Ottawa, including Alfred | Custom liner, installed by our crew |
| Rest of Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the rest of Canada | Custom liner shipped to you, with an installation guide and installer support |
Not sure which applies to you? Call us at 1-613-985-8223 or include your town in the quote form.
Frequently asked questions
Can you line a cistern with a support post or beam?
Yes. On this Alfred job the cistern had a concrete support post in the middle holding up the roof. We padded around it, then wrapped the post in liner material so the lining runs continuously from the floor up the post. Posts and beams take more fitting time, so mention them when you ask for a quote.
Can you line a large or oversized cistern?
Yes. This cistern measured 20 ft long, 9 ft wide and 8 ft high, which is large for a home. Every liner is made to the measured size of the tank, so size changes the price and the prep work, not whether it can be lined.
How much does a cistern liner cost in Ontario?
Our liners typically run $3,500 to $5,000 before installation. Replacing a cistern usually costs $15,000 to $25,000 once excavation, a new tank and restoration are included. Size, shape, obstacles like posts, and access set your exact price.
Do I have to drain my cistern before a liner is installed?
Yes. The cistern has to be pumped out and cleaned down to bare concrete before padding and the liner go in. On this job we pumped out the water and sediment first. Plan for a temporary water source while the work is done.
Can I install a cistern liner myself?
Some owners do. We ship custom liners across Canada with an installation guide. Working inside a cistern is confined-space work, so only do it if you are trained to do it safely. In Eastern Ontario, our own crew can install it for you.
Do you install cistern liners near Ottawa?
Yes. We installed this liner in Alfred, about an hour east of Ottawa in Prescott-Russell. Our crew covers rural Eastern Ontario, and we ship liners with installation support everywhere else in Canada.
Further reading: CSA B126 water cistern standard (Standards Council of Canada) and the Alberta Agriculture guide to cistern water storage.
↑ Back to top
