Poly rainwater tank prices vary a lot, and a low price is rarely an accident. Somewhere in the tank, something has been taken out. The Buyers Checklist asks whether it is ever a good idea to buy a cheap tank; this is the long answer. Below are seven places where cost gets cut, what each one does to the tank you end up with, and how Promax approaches the same decisions.
Risk 1: Poor tank design and engineering
A water tank is never still. Changes in temperature cause expansion and contraction. The weight of water pushes downwards and outwards, and that force varies with the water level, so the load changes every time the tank fills or draws down. The water pressing against the walls also has the effect of pulling the roof downwards.
A well engineered tank absorbs that movement for decades. A poorly engineered one does not: repeated expansion and contraction can result in loss of structural integrity, distortion of the tank shape, or even collapse. The corrugated design of Promax ENDURO tanks is attractive, but its main benefit is the strength of the tank wall design, which, integrated with the engineered roof profile, gives rigidity, stability and strength. We compare tanks under load in more detail in which is the strongest water tank.
Risk 2: Cheaper, substandard raw materials
The choice of raw materials and the processing methods used have a major influence on the overall quality of a poly tank. This is also the least visible part of the tank and the easiest place to save money, because a buyer cannot see the difference at the point of sale. You find out years later.
Promax blend and process their own raw materials. High-quality materials and meticulous processing align, and that combination is what makes a premium tank. Cheap tank manufacturers who purchase pre-blended raw materials lack control over production: they take what they are sent, and you are taking a gamble on the quality of the final product. If you are asking whether all poly tanks are the same, not all poly tanks are made equal sets out the full argument.
Risk 3: Inferior manufacturing equipment
Promax tanks are made by a process known as rotomoulding, or 'cooking'. Polyethylene powder is placed in a mould, the mould is rotated while heat is applied through the walls, and the tumbling powder gradually melts. The molten polyethylene adheres to the mould and forms a smooth layer of uniform thickness over the inside surface.
The words that matter there are 'uniform thickness'. Getting an even wall out of tumbling powder depends on precise control of temperature, and precise control of temperature depends on the machine. Promax has continually invested in the most modern and up-to-date equipment for that reason. A manufacturer that has not made a similar investment will have poorer temperature control, and is likely to produce an inferior product.
Risk 4: Rushed cooling
Once the molten polyethylene has been accurately placed within the mould, it must be carefully cooled. This sounds like a formality. It is not.
The polyethylene in moulded water tanks has a crystalline structure, and cooling is critical to that structure. Slow cooling results in larger crystals; fast cooling results in smaller ones. Carefully controlled cooling results in uniform crystal size and optimises the physical properties of the finished water tank. Rushed cooling results in a more brittle product that is more likely to crack or fail.
In a busy factory it is sometimes tempting to cut corners here, because cooling is time on the machine and time is tanks per day. The manufacturer benefits from producing more tanks; the buyer carries the risk. Promax understands the pitfalls of a hurried process and has the patience to manufacture a high-quality tank.
Risk 5: Unexpected charges for accessories, fittings and fixtures
Not every tank is supplied with the same fixtures and fittings. To reduce costs, some manufacturers reduce the standard features of the tank, then charge extra for features that are standard on other tanks. The tank that looked cheaper on the quote can be level or worse by the time it is usable, and the difference does not always surface until installation day.
Promax ENDURO tanks are fully featured, including inlet panels for ease of installation and threaded base outlets, and are available in a range of seven colours. When you compare prices, compare what is actually included.
Risk 6: Your warranty may be worthless
Very few buyers take the time to read the warranty's terms and conditions when making a purchase, which is precisely what makes the warranty a good place to hide a cost. Manufacturers or resellers of inferior products may modify their warranties to limit or eliminate a customer's ability to make warranty claims. The document still says 'warranty' on the front.
A warranty is only as good as the conditions attached to it and the company standing behind it. Promax offer products with a dependable warranty that you can trust, and an extensive reseller network, which means reliable after-sales support is readily available if you ever need it. Our warranty terms are there to be read before you buy, not after.
Risk 7: Poor customer support
With so many options available, it is essential that you get the right advice and select the tank that is best suited to your needs. The tank that suits your roof, your site and your household is not always the cheapest one in front of you, and a low-cost supplier is rarely set up to work that out with you.
Promax have a dedicated team of customer service experts, and an extensive reseller network, to answer your questions and help you get the right tank for your needs. Promax also has an industry-leading library of online resources to ensure you can make informed decisions about products, installation and accessories before you commit.
What the seven risks add up to
Read together, the pattern is plain: each risk is a saving the manufacturer makes and the buyer carries. Cheaper materials, faster cooling, fewer fittings and a thinner warranty all reduce the price on the day and show up later.
An obsession for detail and absolute control over the entire manufacturing process ensures that Promax produce a water tank of exceptional quality that will stand the test of time. We believe that Promax offers New Zealand's most robust, durable, and longest-lasting water tank. If the ENDURO is the tank you are weighing up, we make the case for the ENDURO separately.
Water where you need it and when you need it, with the confidence of a Promax tank. If you want to know more, talk to our expert team on 0800 77 66 29 or email sales@promax.co.nz with your enquiry.