7 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Water Tank

Short answer:

A water tank buying guide should help you check seven things before purchase: water source, capacity, installation location, material, verifiable standards, maintenance requirements and warranty coverage. For a Kerala home, these factors can vary with supply reliability, terrace conditions, water characteristics and available space, so the right tank depends on your actual application.

Key takeaways

• Start with your water source before choosing tank material.
• Capacity should follow household use and refill reliability.
• Check installation access, support, overflow and cleaning arrangements.
• Ask manufacturers for applicable standards and written specifications.
• A warranty is useful only when its exclusions are clear.

If you want to compare your requirements with Skywell’s available options, you can message Skywell on WhatsApp with your location, water source and approximate capacity requirement.

What water will you store in the tank?

Start with the water source because water characteristics can differ between public supply, wells, borewells and rainwater systems.

Kerala’s Ground Water Department lists pH, electrical conductivity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, alkalinity, chloride, sulphate, nitrate and iron among its general domestic water-quality parameters. It also lists bacteriological analysis for total and faecal coliforms. Kerala Ground Water Department, current service information, accessed September 2026.

That matters when your home depends on a private well or borewell. If your water has unusual characteristics, testing the source is more useful than expecting the tank material to correct the underlying water condition.

Groundwater can also vary significantly between locations. A Central Ground Water Board report recorded chloride of 724 mg/L at a specific observation location in Chellanam, Ernakulam, in its 2023 Kerala groundwater-quality assessment. That is a location-specific observation, not a value that should be applied to all of coastal Kerala. CGWB, Ground Water Quality in Shallow Aquifer of Kerala, 2023.

For your home, identify whether the tank will receive public supply, well water, borewell water, harvested rainwater or a combination. The source comes first.

How much capacity do you actually need?

Choose capacity from your household’s usage and refill pattern, not from a standard size that someone recommends for every house.

Your requirement depends on the number of regular users, supply frequency, existing sump capacity, source reliability and how quickly the tank can be refilled. A home with reliable daily supply may have a different storage requirement from a home depending on a private well.

The Jal Jeevan Mission’s 2020-21 functionality assessment for Kerala found that 81.1% of sampled household tap connections received water according to schedule or daily, while 66% qualified on quantity, quality and regularity together. These figures describe the surveyed households and should not be treated as the supply pattern of your particular home. Jal Jeevan Mission, Functionality Assessment Survey 2020-21, Kerala.

Before selecting a capacity, ask:

• How many people normally use the house?
• How often does the water source refill?
• Is there already a ground-level sump?
• Does the property have another water source?
• Could household occupancy increase soon?

The calculation should reflect your circumstances. There is no universal capacity that automatically suits every Kerala home.

If you are unsure how your existing storage arrangement compares with your household requirement, you can also review Skywell’s guide on what size water tank you need before speaking with a supplier.

Where will the tank actually be installed?

The installation location should be checked before you order the tank, because available space and access can limit which configuration is practical.

For an overhead tank, check the base, available height, access to the inlet and outlet, overflow arrangement and space for inspection and cleaning. Loft installations have different clearance and access requirements.

If you are replacing an existing tank, measure the available space and the route used to bring the replacement into position. A tank that fits its stated dimensions may still be difficult to move through a staircase, doorway or confined utility area.

Kerala’s monsoon also makes access and drainage worth considering. The India Meteorological Department recorded 1,748.1 mm of rainfall in Kerala during June to September 2024, compared with a normal 2,018.6 mm for that period. India Meteorological Department, Monsoon Report 2024.

The rainfall figure does not mean rain will automatically damage a tank. It highlights why the surrounding installation should be planned for drainage, overflow, inspection and safe access.

A tank should fit the installation environment, not just the product catalogue.

Which material and construction suit your situation?

There is no single tank material that is automatically right for every home. Plastic and stainless steel tanks should be compared according to the application, water characteristics, installation environment, specification and available documentation.

A 2025 peer-reviewed laboratory study found that chloride concentration affected the corrosion behaviour of 304 stainless steel under acidic chloride test conditions. That is laboratory research under defined conditions, not evidence that every Kerala installation will behave the same way. Discover Applied Sciences, 20 June 2025.

For stainless steel, ask which grade is actually being used and what documentation supports the stated specification. Skywell’s stainless steel tanks use food-grade AISI SS-304 and are available from 500 L to 5,000 L in vertical and horizontal configurations.

For polyethylene tanks, BIS maintains IS 12701 for rotational-moulded polyethylene water storage tanks. The BIS testing database lists requirements and tests covering areas such as material, wall thickness, deformation, impact, top-load resistance, tensile strength, flexural modulus and overall migration. BIS LIMS, IS 12701.

The useful question is not simply whether a tank is described as premium. Ask what material specification and construction details the manufacturer can document.

If stainless steel fits your application, you can review Skywell’s stainless steel water tank range and compare the available configurations with your installation requirements.

What standards and documentation can you verify?

Before buying, ask which product standard applies to the tank you are considering and whether the manufacturer’s documentation matches that specific product.

Terms such as “food-grade”, “multi-layer”, “premium” and “high quality” describe a product, but they do not by themselves tell you which measurable specification or standard applies.

For polyethylene tanks, IS 12701 is an example of an applicable Indian Standard for rotational-moulded polyethylene water storage tanks. Its listed testing areas show why specifications such as wall thickness, material properties and performance characteristics should be treated as verifiable details rather than marketing language. BIS LIMS, IS 12701.

For a stainless steel tank, ask for the stated steel grade and relevant product documentation. Skywell Aqua Solutions operates from Kanjikode, Palakkad, Kerala, and has an ISO 9001:2015-certified manufacturing plant.

A practical supplier checklist is:

• Material or steel grade
• Available capacities
• Applicable product standards
• Warranty terms
• Installation requirements
• Service contact

Clear documentation makes comparison easier.

What installation and maintenance will the tank need?

Installation quality matters because a tank is only one part of the household water-storage system.

WHO guidance on household water treatment and safe storage identifies features such as a tightly sealing cover, a suitable outlet, a stable base, durability and ease of cleaning as useful characteristics for safe water storage containers. This is international guidance, not a Kerala-specific installation standard. WHO, Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage.

Before installation, confirm that the base is appropriate, plumbing connections remain accessible, overflow has been planned and the tank can be inspected and cleaned.

What should you check before installation?

1. Confirm the tank location and supporting arrangement.
2. Check inlet, outlet and overflow positions.
3. Keep inspection and cleaning access practical.
4. Follow the manufacturer’s installation requirements.
5. Plan maintenance access before the tank becomes difficult to reach.

Do not assume that stainless steel, polyethylene or any other material makes poor installation irrelevant.

Have a question about capacity, installation or the right Skywell configuration? Message Skywell on WhatsApp with your location, water source, approximate capacity and installation type.

What does the warranty actually cover?

A stated warranty period is useful only when you understand what it covers and what can exclude a claim.

Skywell provides a 10-year warranty on its stainless steel and plastic water tanks. The important next step is to ask for the applicable written terms before purchase.

Check:

• What defects or components are covered?
• What exclusions apply?
• Can incorrect installation affect coverage?
• What documents are required for a claim?
• Who handles warranty service?
• What local service arrangements are available?

Do not rely only on a verbal statement that a warranty “is available.” Ask the manufacturer for the actual terms.

Who should not buy a stainless steel tank?

A stainless steel tank is not automatically the right choice for every homeowner.

If your main reason for choosing stainless steel is the assumption that it is always superior, pause and compare the application first. A suitable plastic tank may already meet the requirements of a straightforward household storage system.

Budget, available space, water characteristics, installation conditions, required capacity and documentation should all be considered before changing material.

Stainless steel also cannot correct poor source water, unsuitable plumbing, inadequate support or neglected maintenance. Material choice is only one part of the storage system.

Skywell stainless steel tanks use food-grade AISI SS-304, are available from 500 L to 5,000 L in vertical and horizontal configurations, and carry a 10-year warranty. These specifications may suit a particular application, but they should not replace a site-specific assessment.

The material should suit your use case. The capacity should suit your water requirement.

What should you ask your plumber or supplier before ordering?

Use the following checklist before you confirm your purchase.

1. What water source will feed the tank, and are there any known water-quality concerns?
2. What capacity is appropriate for my household and refill pattern?
3. Does the selected tank fit the available space, support and access route?
4. What material grade, applicable standard and written warranty apply to this exact product?

The answers should be specific enough for you to compare suppliers on the same basis.

Your 7-question water tank checklist

The following table turns the buying decision into a simple supplier conversation.

Take the checklist with you when speaking to a dealer or plumber. Ask the same questions of each supplier so that you compare specifications rather than marketing descriptions.

If the answers are clear, you can compare products properly. If the answers remain vague, slow down before placing the order.

Skywell Aqua Solutions makes food-grade stainless steel and plastic water tanks in Palakkad, Kerala.

Not sure which tank suits your home? Message us on WhatsApp for free, honest advice.

Still have a question?

If you are unsure about capacity, material, installation or warranty, send your requirements to Skywell and ask for guidance before ordering.

WhatsApp: https://wa.me/916238801881

Cite as: skywell.in/water-tank-buying-guide/

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose the right water tank capacity for my home?

Choose capacity according to household size, water-source reliability, refill frequency, existing sump capacity and expected use. There is no single tank size that suits every Kerala home. A property with reliable daily supply may need a different storage arrangement from one dependent on a private well or intermittent supply.

Which material is best for a home water tank?

There is no universal material that is best for every home. Choose according to intended use, water characteristics, installation environment, available space, applicable standards and manufacturer documentation. Plastic and stainless steel tanks can suit different applications, so the material decision should follow your actual storage requirements rather than a general claim.

Is stainless steel completely corrosion-proof?

No. Stainless steel should not be described as completely corrosion-proof under every condition. A 2025 laboratory study found that chloride concentration affected the corrosion behaviour of 304 stainless steel under acidic chloride test conditions. That research does not represent every Kerala installation, so actual water conditions, environment and installation still matter.

What should I check before installing an overhead water tank?

Check the available space, supporting arrangement, access route, inlet and outlet positions, overflow arrangement and ability to inspect and clean the tank. Follow the manufacturer’s installation requirements. If the supporting structure is unusual, old or uncertain, obtain appropriate professional advice instead of relying on a generic load assumption.

What standards should I check before buying a water tank?

Ask which Indian Standard applies to the particular tank material and product. BIS maintains IS 12701 for rotational-moulded polyethylene water storage tanks and lists tests covering properties such as material, wall thickness, impact, top-load resistance and overall migration. Do not assume that one standard applies to every type of water tank.

What should a water tank warranty cover?

Ask the manufacturer for written warranty terms before purchasing. Check the warranty duration, covered defects or components, exclusions, installation conditions, documentation requirements and claim process. A stated warranty period is useful only when you understand exactly what the manufacturer agrees to cover and how a claim is handled.

Is a stainless steel water tank suitable for every Kerala home?

No. Stainless steel is not automatically the right choice for every household. Your water source, installation environment, capacity requirement, available space, specification and budget should guide the decision. If a suitable plastic tank already fits your application and requirements, changing material is not automatically necessary.