Cistern Liner Installation Guide

Preparing your cistern tank for liner installation requires a careful assessment of the tank’s internal structure. Accurate measurements and inspection are essential to ensure your liner fits securely and functions as intended.

Identify critical components inside the cistern

Before installation, inspect your cistern for internal features that may affect liner fitment. These components must be accounted for during manufacturing:

• Pipes: Any inlets, outlets, or overflow drains
• Tight openings: Narrow entry points that require precise liner shaping
• Fittings: Protrusions such as valves or couplings

Your liner will be custom-built to match the exact dimensions of your tank, including allowances for these components. Special sealing boots are used to wrap around these protrusions, ensuring a watertight seal and secure placement.

Securing the liner inside the tank

Once the liner is positioned, it must be properly fastened to maintain durability and leak resistance. To do this:

• Battening strips and retention bands are applied over the liner edge.
• These fixtures press the liner securely against the tank walls.
• The result is a sealed, reinforced fit that protects your liner’s integrity under long-term use.

Securing the liner to your cistern tank using battening and gasket materials ensures a watertight, long-lasting installation. Follow these detailed steps for each section of battening.

1. 1.- Mark and drill anchor holes

   • Start by measuring 1 inch from each edge of the battening section.
   • Drill through the cistern wall, geotextile, and battening at each 1-inch mark.
   • From the initial holes, measure every 12 inches along the section and drill the remaining holes.
   • Once all holes are drilled, remove the battening to prepare for liner placement.

2. 2.- Position and secure the liner

   • Roll out the cistern liner and place it into the tank.
   • Ensure the liner extends to the top of the tank wall.
   • Smooth out the bottom corners and weigh down the liner using sandbags.

3. 3.- Mark liner for anchor placement

   • Hold the battening strip against the liner and the cistern wall.
   • Mark the drill hole positions directly onto the liner for alignment.

4. 4.- Set the wedge anchors

   • Fold back the liner and partially drive wedge anchors into the pre-drilled holes with a hammer.
   • Keep the bolt loosely threaded onto the anchor for stability during placement.

5. 5.- Prepare and apply gasket and sealant

   • Stretch the gasket material taut over the anchors and against the tank wall.
   • Leave space between the gasket and liner for sealant application.
   • Wearing gloves, apply polyurethane sealant:
     • Under the gasket
     • Through and around the wedge anchors
     • Around the entire tank perimeter
     • Use small, continuous beads for effective sealing.

6. 6.- Secure the battening

   • Position the battening strip over the gasket and liner.
   • Hammer the battening into place over the wedge anchors.
   • Secure the battening using nuts and washers over each anchor bolt.

Geotextile lining between the cistern tank and liner

Before installing your cistern liner, evaluate the tank’s construction material. If your cistern tank is made of rough materials like cement or concrete, adding a geotextile barrier between the tank and the liner is essential.

Why use a geotextile layer?

• Reduces abrasion risk: Concrete surfaces can damage the liner over time.
• Extends liner life: The geotextile acts as a buffer, preventing punctures or tears.
• Enhances performance: Prevents direct contact between liner and harsh surfaces.

Installation note: Install the geotextile layer on the tank walls and floor before placing the liner, and make sure it’s laid over the anchors as well. This ensures a continuous protective layer between the liner and any rough edges.

Questions about cistern tank liner installation? Call us at 1-863-261-8388 or Contact Us .

Cistern tanks often include components that may interfere with liner performance. During installation, be alert for any objects that penetrate the liner area, including:

• Pipes (inlet/outlet)
• Fittings
• Manways
• Tight openings
• Other protrusions

Why these components matter

These features can create stress points where the liner is more vulnerable to damage. Improper sealing around fittings can also compromise water containment. To ensure a secure, leak-resistant fit:

• Document the location and size of all tank protrusions in advance.
• Our team will supply custom pipe boots or gaskets that seal around each fitting, maintaining liner integrity.

What is a liner pipe boot?

A liner pipe boot is a protective component used to seal around protrusions—such as pipes and fittings—that pass through your cistern liner. These boots prevent leaks and preserve the liner’s structural integrity by creating a watertight seal around the object.

Why use a pipe boot?

• -Protects the liner from punctures or tearing due to tank fixtures
• -Accommodates non-penetrating fittings that still contact the liner
• -Custom-sized during liner fabrication to match the dimensions and locations of pipes and fittings

By accurately measuring and identifying all protrusions in your tank, we can ensure your liner is pre-fitted with the correct pipe boots—streamlining installation and ensuring long-term performance.

Follow these steps for a successful pipe boot installation during cistern liner setup:

1. Identify the pipe or fitting location on your cistern tank. Cut a hole in the liner so the pipe or fitting can pass through cleanly.
2. Slide the boot over the pipe. Trim the base of the boot so that it overlaps the liner cutout by 4–6 inches in all directions.
3. Clean the liner and boot with plain water or a mild liquid cleaner. Avoid soap or harsh chemicals.
4. Mark the outline of both the base and the top of the boot on the liner to ensure precise placement. Then, remove the boot temporarily.
5. Apply 2-inch double-sided tape around the hole on the liner, ensuring the corners of the tape overlap by about 1–4 inches.
6. Press the boot into place, carefully smoothing out wrinkles and air pockets to ensure full contact with the tape.
7. Finish by sealing the edges of the boot with 4-inch single-sided tape for an added layer of protection.

We have an abundance of information about cistern liners and cistern tank liner installation. See below for more cistern liner information.

Cistern Liner Downloads and Documents

• Cistern Liner Product Flyer