5 Tips to Maintain Water Trucks on the Construction Site

Proper maintenance of water trucks on construction sites is essential for optimal performance and safety on the job site.

• By Sara VanFleet
• Jul 19, 2024

Every construction professional knows the importance of water trucks on a job site. Water trucks are essential to bringing water to important parts of a job site. This means these vehicles must work at maximum efficiency, and efficient water trucks are well-maintained water trucks. Sadly, most construction site water trucks are not properly maintained because construction firms either ignore routine maintenance or don’t know how to maintain water trucks. 

Water trucks are unique vehicles. So, despite its integral role on the job site, it isn’t surprising many construction pros don’t know every step in the maintenance process. Unfortunately, this leaves the safety of workers open to compromise in the process. Proper maintenance of water trucks is essential to maintain the longevity and optimal output of the vehicle. So don’t skip routine maintenance. Here are a few tips to help maintain water trucks on the construction job site.

1. Leak Inspections

The most important part of a water truck is the large tank they have to store and transport water. A water tank will eventually crack, and that crack will eventually leak. A leaky tank will drain water, making the water truck useless on a job site. Construction crews should be checking their water truck tanks for leaks every day before and after using them. Fill the tank with water and see if anything leaks out. It is important to check the hose for leaks as well. 

If there is a crack, it must be filled immediately. Don’t ignore it and wait for it to get worse. If necessary, get a mechanic to help address any cracks. The most common cause of leaks is riding on rough terrain. Construction sites are known for bumpy terrain and a water truck constantly vibrating and bouncing will eventually lead to cracks in the tank. Have a professional reseal the water tank annually. Doing this will prevent cracks and expand the lifespan of the water truck by 15 to 20 years.

2. Clean the Tank Interior

Cleaning the interior of the water truck’s tank is an essential piece of routine maintenance. However, it is also the most often ignored piece of routine maintenance by construction crews. Dirty water from a fire hydrant or construction site pond will cause leaves, dirt and sometimes a dead animal to get stuck inside the tank. Most water trucks have a screen to keep debris out of the tank, but these are not 100 percent effective.