When you’re comparing water tanks, the warranty is one of those details that’s easy to glance at and move on from. Twenty years sounds good. Tick. Next question. But for a purchase that’s going to sit on your property for decades, it’s worth understanding what that warranty actually means — what it covers, how it works in practice, and what you need to do to keep it valid. This guide walks through The Water Tank Factory’s poly tank warranty in plain English, so you know exactly what you’re getting before you buy.
Why the Warranty Matters More Than Most Buyers Realise
A water tank is not a small purchase. For most households and rural properties, it’s a long-term infrastructure investment — something you expect to install once and not think about again for a very long time.
The warranty is the manufacturer’s commitment that the product will hold up its end of that deal. A strong warranty from a business that’s been around long enough to honour it tells you something important about both the product and the company behind it.
The Water Tank Factory has manufactured poly tanks in Australia since 1984. The founding family still owns and operates the business today. That continuity matters when it comes to warranty claims — you’re not dealing with a company that may not exist in ten years’ time.
What the 10+10 Year Warranty Covers
The 10+10 year warranty applies to the full range of The Tank Factory’s polyethylene round and slimline rainwater tanks — the New Generation Cylindrical and Slimline Urban ranges. It covers defects caused by faulty manufacture, and warrants that the tank will perform the function it was designed for: holding potable water at ambient rainwater temperatures.
The warranty runs in two distinct phases:
Years 1 to 10: Full repair or replace
During the first decade, if a tank fails due to a manufacturing defect, The Tank Factory will repair or replace it. No calculation, no reduction. Full coverage.
Years 11 to 20: Pro-rata coverage
The second decade operates on a pro-rata basis. This means the value of any warranty remedy reduces gradually over time, reflecting the age of the tank. The further into this period a claim arises, the smaller the residual value applied. Full details of the pro-rata calculation are set out in the warranty conditions document, available on The Tank Factory website.
Pro-rata coverage in the second decade is standard practice across long-term product warranties. It’s worth understanding upfront — and it’s also worth noting that a well-installed Water Tank Factory tank, maintained correctly, is built to last well beyond 20 years.
Other Products in the Range
The 10+10 year warranty applies specifically to round and slimline poly rainwater tanks. Other products in the Tank Factory range carry different warranty periods reflecting their design and application:
- Septic tanks: 7 years from date of purchase
- Underground tanks: 5 years repair or replace
- Industrial and commercial products including Truck Tanks™, SmartBund™, Aquaculture tanks, Chemical, Diesel, AdBlue, and Molasses tanks: 5 years from date of purchase
- Plunge Pools: 5 years from date of purchase
- Poly welded fittings: 12 months from date of welding
How to Keep Your Warranty Valid
This is the part most buyers skip — and it’s genuinely important. A warranty is only as useful as your ability to claim on it, and there are several practical steps that keep your Tank Factory warranty in good standing.
Keep your original invoice
The original invoice is your proof of purchase. Without it, a warranty claim cannot proceed. File it somewhere safe the moment your tank is delivered — digitally if possible, so it doesn’t get lost in a move or renovation.
Follow the installation guidelines
Correct installation is essential. The warranty requires the tank to be installed and maintained in accordance with The Water Tank Factory’s installation procedures. The key requirements are practical and straightforward:
- Sit the tank on level, stable ground with uniform compaction. Soft spots or uneven ground create stress on the tank base over time.
- Prepare the site with a layer of compacted metal dust or a reinforced concrete slab. Both the tank pad and slab need to be larger than the tank base.
- Support all plumbing from the outlet so it can’t be knocked. Fit a flexible coupling directly after the tank outlet — this prevents strain on the outlet and walls. Missing this step can void the warranty.
- Plumb overflows away from the tank site to prevent erosion around the base.
- The installation guides are available at The Water Tank Factory and are worth reading before your tank arrives, not after.
Don’t walk on top of the tank
This one catches people out occasionally. The warranty is void if anyone walks on or applies load to the top of the tank. It’s not designed to bear that kind of weight. Underground tanks installed to specification are the exception.
Store only potable water — unless you have written approval
The standard warranty covers tanks used for potable water storage. Using a tank to store other substances — chemicals, agricultural liquids, diesel, or similar — without first obtaining written approval from The Tank Factory voids the warranty. If you’re considering a non-water application, talk to The Tank Factory team before you order. They can advise on an alternative product in their range and any approvals you may require.
The warranty is not transferable
This is worth knowing if you’re buying or selling a property. The warranty belongs to the original purchaser and does not transfer to a new owner. If you’re purchasing a property with an existing Tank Factory tank, the remaining warranty period doesn’t come with it.
What the Warranty Doesn’t Cover
A few things fall outside the scope of the warranty, and it’s better to know them upfront.
Weathering and long-term degradation due to climatic conditions
UV exposure, temperature cycling, and the normal effects of the Australian environment over many years — are not covered. This is standard across the industry and reflects the expected lifespan of the material rather than a manufacturing defect. The Water Tank Factory poly tanks use UV-stabilised virgin polyethylene specifically to maximise long-term performance in Australian conditions.
Accidental or wilful damage is not covered
If a tank is struck by a vehicle, damaged during an installation, or subjected to misuse, that falls outside the warranty scope.
Natural disasters
Including earthquakes, landslides, and ozone depletion are also excluded — again, entirely standard.
Faults disclosed at the time of purchase
Are not covered under warranty. Any known issue would be specified in writing at the point of sale.
A Water Tank Warranty Backed by 42 Years in Business
The fine print of any warranty only means something if the company behind it is around to honour it. That’s where The Tank Factory’s position is, in today’s era, highly unusual.
Most manufacturing businesses don’t make it to 42 years. Fewer still remain under the ownership of the founding family. The fact that John Flemming— founder and managing director since 1984 — still leads the business today means that when a warranty claim comes in, it lands with the same people who built the company’s reputation on getting it right.
Over 250,000 tanks manufactured. A 4.9-star rating on Product Review. And a warranty that the business has been honouring, in one form or another, for over four decades. That is one well earned track record.
Questions About Your Water Tank Warranty?
The full warranty conditions document is available at www.watertankfactory.com.au on the warranty page. If you have questions about a specific application, installation requirement, or product, the team is the best place to start.
Call 1300 826 532 or reach out online. They are a friendly, expert team who are ready to give you the straight answer you deserve.