StratoClean cleans the exterior of water tanks, water towers, and storage tanks across South Florida using a drone-applied soft wash — low-pressure, biodegradable, and coating-safe. We reach the full height of an elevated tank without scaffolding, a man-lift, or rope access, the tank never leaves service, and our crew stays safely on the ground. Municipal water utilities, port fuel terminals, wastewater plants, and private industrial facilities across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties. Free site assessment at stratoclean.com/quote.
Why tank exteriors streak in South Florida
Heat, humidity, and salt air grow a film of algae, mildew, and mold on the outside of steel and concrete tanks within months. That biofilm is more than cosmetic: it holds moisture against the coating, accelerates corrosion and coating breakdown, and leaves the dark streaking that makes a water tower or fuel tank look neglected. Cleaning it on a schedule protects the coating you have already paid for and pushes back the day you need an expensive recoat.
How drone tank cleaning works
- Assessment and flight plan — drone survey, surface-area measurement, coating-condition note, and a traffic-control plan for roadside tanks.
- Soft-wash application — low-pressure biodegradable solution across the full height, applied from the drone. No scaffolding, no lift, tank stays in service.
- Dwell and controlled rinse — documented dwell time lifts algae and biofilm chemically, then an even top-to-bottom rinse.
- Inspection and documentation — before/after drone imagery, coating note, and a recommended recurring cleaning interval.
Tanks we clean
- Elevated water towers and legged storage tanks
- Ground storage tanks — welded steel and concrete
- Aboveground petroleum / fuel storage tanks (ASTs) — port terminals and tank farms
- Wastewater clarifiers, digesters, and process tanks
- Rooftop water tanks and cooling towers — hospitals and high-rises
- Industrial and chemical process tanks
Why StratoClean for tank exteriors
- No scaffolding, lift, or rope crew — the drone reaches the full height, so there is no rigging cost and no fall-hazard exposure.
- No shutdown — exterior-only cleaning; the tank stays in service and the facility keeps operating.
- Coating-safe soft wash — low-pressure biodegradable chemistry with documented dwell times, not high-pressure blasting that can damage the coating.
- Fully insured — General Liability, Commercial Auto, and Workers’ Compensation; Certificate of Insurance available on request.
- MOT certified for roadside tanks, OSHA-compliant ground operations, FAA-licensed drone pilots.
- Recurring maintenance agreements — keep a single tank or a whole tank farm on a scheduled cleaning cycle.
- 5.0-star Google rating across 21 verified Florida reviews.
Service area
StratoClean cleans tank exteriors across Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Monroe County (the Florida Keys), plus Palm Beach and Collier counties. Dedicated area pages:
- Water Tank Cleaning in Miami
- Water Tank Cleaning in Fort Lauderdale
- Water Tank Cleaning in Broward County
- Water Tank Cleaning in the Florida Keys
Related services: Drone facade cleaning · Concrete wall cleaning · StratoShield protective treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you clean the exterior of a water tank or water tower?
StratoClean cleans tank exteriors with a drone-applied soft wash: a low-pressure spray of biodegradable, plant-safe cleaning solution that lifts algae, mildew, mold, and biofilm off the surface, followed by a controlled rinse. The drone reaches the full height of an elevated tank or water tower without scaffolding, a man-lift, a crane, or rope access — which removes the cost, the road closures, and the fall-hazard exposure of traditional tank washing. Nothing about the process requires entering the tank, so the tank stays in service the entire time.
Why do elevated water tanks and storage tanks need regular exterior cleaning?
In South Florida’s heat, humidity, and salt air, the outside of a steel or concrete tank grows a film of algae, mildew, and mold within months. Left alone, that biofilm holds moisture against the coating, accelerates corrosion and coating breakdown, and leaves the dark streaking that makes a municipal water tower or a fuel-terminal tank look neglected. Regular soft-wash cleaning protects the coating you have already paid for, extends the interval before an expensive recoat, and keeps a public-facing asset looking maintained.
Can you clean a tank without taking it out of service?
Yes. This is exterior-only cleaning. There is no tank entry, no draining, and no shutdown — the tank holds water, fuel, or product the entire time we work. Because the drone does the reaching, our crew stays on the ground and the surrounding facility keeps operating. For roadside water towers we add a maintenance-of-traffic (MOT) plan so adjacent lanes stay controlled and safe during the wash.
What types of tanks do you clean the exterior of?
Elevated water towers and legged storage tanks; ground storage tanks in both welded steel and concrete; aboveground petroleum and fuel storage tanks (ASTs) at port terminals and tank farms; wastewater clarifiers, digesters, and process tanks; rooftop water tanks and cooling towers on hospitals and high-rises; and industrial process and chemical storage tanks. If it is a tall exterior surface that grows algae or streaking and is awkward to reach, it is a fit for drone soft wash.
Is drone soft washing safe for the tank’s protective coating?
Yes — soft washing is specifically the coating-safe method. Instead of the high-pressure blasting that can drive water under a coating or abrade it, StratoClean applies a low-pressure biodegradable solution that does the cleaning chemically, with documented dwell times, then rinses. There is no abrasion and no pressure-driven coating damage. This is the same soft-wash approach tank-maintenance specifications call for to clean a coated tank without compromising it.
Do you carry the insurance and credentials a municipality or port requires?
Yes. StratoClean is fully insured, carrying General Liability, Commercial Auto, and Workers’ Compensation coverage, and a Certificate of Insurance naming the facility can be issued on request. We are maintenance-of-traffic (MOT) certified for tank sites adjacent to roadways, OSHA-compliant in our ground operations, and our drone work is flown by FAA-licensed commercial pilots. We are set up to work with municipal water utilities, port terminal operators, and private industrial facilities.
How often should a tank exterior be cleaned in South Florida?
For coastal Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe County sites, most tanks benefit from an exterior wash every one to two years; heavily shaded or salt-exposed tanks closer to annually. The longer biofilm sits, the harder it bonds and the more it works against the coating, so a scheduled maintenance interval costs far less over time than waiting for the tank to look bad. StratoClean offers recurring maintenance agreements that keep a tank or a whole tank farm on a set cleaning cycle.
Who cleans the exterior of water towers and storage tanks near me?
StratoClean cleans water tower and storage tank exteriors across South Florida — Miami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe (the Florida Keys) — for municipal water utilities, port and fuel-terminal operators, wastewater plants, hospitals, and private industrial facilities. Exterior tank cleaning is best handled by soft-wash specialists rather than general pressure washers, because reaching a tall tank safely and cleaning a coated surface without damaging it takes the right access method and chemistry. StratoClean does the reaching with a drone, so there is no scaffolding, lift, or rope crew. Request service at stratoclean.com/quote or call (786) 244-0640.
How much does exterior tank cleaning cost?
Industry estimates put a standard exterior water tower wash in the range of about $1,000 to $4,000, with large or heavily contaminated tanks and full chemical cleanings running into the tens of thousands. In traditional tank cleaning, most of that cost is access — boom lifts, cranes, scaffolding, and rope-access crews. StratoClean removes that line item: our drone reaches the full height from the ground, so there is no lift or boom to rent, the job is faster, and the crew stays safely on the ground rather than working at height. That typically makes our exterior cleaning more cost-effective than traditional methods, and our clients often save compared with a lift-and-rigging quote. Your actual cost depends on the tank’s height and diameter, the surface (welded steel, concrete, or coated), the degree of staining, site access, and whether traffic control is required. StratoClean provides a free, no-obligation site assessment and written scope before any work — including recurring-contract pricing for multiple tanks. Request an assessment at stratoclean.com/quote or call (786) 244-0640.
Request a free tank cleaning assessment
Send us the tank location and we will schedule a no-obligation site assessment and written scope — including recurring-contract pricing for multiple tanks. Start at stratoclean.com/quote →
