Cistern Liner FAQs

A cistern liner is a flexible containment membrane installed inside an existing cistern or water storage tank. It creates a new interior barrier that separates stored water from the original tank surface and provides a dependable water-holding layer.

A liner creates a new waterproof containment surface inside the cistern. It can help address water loss associated with cracks, aging concrete, deteriorated surfaces, or an existing liner that has reached the end of its service life.

If the existing cistern structure is still suitable, lining it can be a more practical option than complete replacement. A liner allows you to retain the existing structure while creating a new interior water-containment surface.

A properly designed and installed liner can provide a new watertight barrier inside the cistern. This can be an effective solution when water loss is occurring through cracks, porous surfaces, joints, or other deterioration in the existing cistern.

Not necessarily. The cistern must be assessed for structural condition, dimensions, accessibility, configuration, and intended use. A liner is designed to provide water containment, but it is not a substitute for repairing a structurally unsafe cistern.

Many concrete, masonry, steel, and other compatible water storage cisterns may be suitable for lining. Suitability depends on the condition, shape, access, internal fittings, and intended use of the cistern.

Yes, many older concrete cisterns are good candidates for lining when the underlying structure remains suitable. A liner can isolate the stored water from aging or deteriorated concrete surfaces.

Our liners are manufactured from durable flexible food-grade membrane material selected for water containment applications. The specific material used can depend on the cistern, intended use, dimensions, and project requirements.

We offer liner materials intended for potable water storage applications. The exact liner specification should always be matched to the intended use of the cistern.

In this context, food-grade refers to liner material intended for applications involving potable or consumable water storage. Our food-grade liners meet NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, the North American standard for materials that contact drinking water, and we can share material details for your project.

A liner intended for potable water storage is selected specifically for that application. As with any water storage system, proper cleaning, installation, filling, and ongoing water management are important.

Yes. Flexibility allows the liner to conform to the shape of the cistern and accommodate many common tank configurations.

Liner thickness depends on the material and application. We select the liner specification based on the intended use and requirements of the project rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

We generally need the cistern’s length, width, and depth, along with information about its shape, construction, access opening, pipes, fittings, and any unusual internal features.

Initial measurements can often be used to begin the quoting process, but final manufacturing measurements should be as accurate as possible.

That is common. Older cisterns in particular may have walls that are uneven, tapered, or slightly different in length. Multiple measurements can help us understand the actual shape.

Helpful photographs include the cistern opening, interior walls and floor, corners, pipes and fittings, visible cracks or damage, access area, and any existing liner.

Yes. If you are unsure how to measure your cistern, contact us and we can explain what information is needed for your particular configuration.

The basic process involves emptying the cistern, preparing the interior, addressing conditions that could damage the liner, positioning the custom liner, securing it as required, and completing details around openings and fittings.

Yes. The cistern must be drained before the interior can be prepared and the liner installed.

The interior generally needs to be clean and prepared before installation. Loose debris, sharp objects, unsuitable surfaces, and anything that could damage the liner should be addressed.

The answer depends on the nature of the cracks. The liner provides water containment, but significant structural defects should be evaluated and repaired where necessary before installation.

Cistern Liner Co. can provide liner solutions that include professional installation. Contact us with your location and project details so we can determine what service is appropriate for your project.

Installation time depends on cistern size, access, condition, preparation requirements, fittings, and project complexity. We can provide a better estimate once we understand the specifics of your cistern.

In many cases, yes, provided the access opening is large enough for safe installation and the configuration of the cistern allows it. Access should be reviewed during project planning.

Existing penetrations such as inlets and outlets must be incorporated into the liner installation. The exact approach depends on their size, location, type, and condition.