Install a water tank – save water and money!

Capturing rainwater has come a long way from a old round galvanised tank with a tap on the bottom. With the need to install rainwater tanks because of council regulations and to save on water bills, new colourful slim polypropylene or polyethylene rainwater tanks are now the most common type of rainwater tank available. They are UV resistant, they wont rust and because of their shape can fit into small areas.

Types of Rainwater Tanks 

• Slimline tanks – They range from around 300mm to 800mm wide and are designed to fit into small spaces
• Modular – Similar to the slimline tanks but can fit together to form a wall  – fits next to a fence or can be used as a divider or wall.
• Water bladders – this type is made from reinforced fabric and is design to fit under decks and under timber house floors.
• In ground tank - These rainwater tanks are design to fit under a driveway, the lawn, and paved areas. They are the most expensive and require large ground excavation, but provide a good solution.
• Round polyethylene – Similar to the old galvanised tanks but without the rust.
• Round colourbond  – metal colourbond tanks  – come in a great range of colours.

New rain water tanks are not just for garden water but are now used for water supply to the laundry and the toilets.

How To Install a Rainwater Tank -DIY 

• Step one – For a most types (except the bladder type ) the instruction are the same. First you must install a slab of concrete minimum 100mm thick with reinforcing in it.
• Step two – When the slab has cured for a minimum of 14 days install your empty new tank. Remember water is very heavy and you need to let the slab cure or it will crack.
• Step three – Clean your gutters of debris and install the feed pipes from your gutter to the tank. Remember to install a leaf eater and bug screen. Also install a first flush system to flush the dust and small particles away.
• Step four(A) – Install the water supply plumbing to the house (toilets and laundry). This means installing a pump and copper piping into house from the tank with back flow protection. Most rainwater systems have a Rain-head – which will pump water from the rainwater tank through a filter to the house. However if the rainwater tank becomes to low then the rain head automatically switches over to town water and continues to supply the house. This must have back flow protection to stop any rain water entering the town water supply. Please Note: Most water boards and councils require a qualified plumber to connect the water supply to a house to ensure that the town water cannot become contaminated with rainwater which may be sub standard.
• Step four (B) – If you want to use the water for the garden no Rain-head is required as you can just connect a pump and hose to your tank.

Most house roofs are suitable to catching rainwater, however their are some exceptions: 

• Roofs that have been painted with lead based paint or have lead flashing in large qualities – If you have lead flashing on your home consider replacing it with rain water safe flashing before you install your tank.
• Roof that have acrylic paint as over time they will start to dissolve and enter the rainwater supply.
• Also tar-based coating are unsafe as they contain chemicals unfit for the human body and they will start to dissolve into the rainwater supply over time.

Installing a rainwater tank is fairly straightforward and with care a safe and clean supply of water will be the result. Check with your local rainwater tank supplier for types and regulations for your area.

Tagged as: plumbing, Rainwater tanks