How To Choose a Location For Your Tank

Many Australian properties stand to benefit from the addition of a suitable rain harvesting system. However, before you begin thinking about the tank size and accessories that you will require, you first need to determine whether you have ample space to situate one. There are several aspects to consider when determining ideal rain water tanks locations in Adelaide.

The first thing you should look for is flat and stable ground. Most commonly, tanks are installed atop a concrete slab base. However, you cannot rely on this alone to compensate for any irregularities in the ground. Earth that is too soft will sink over time under the immense weight of even an empty tank, not to mention when it fills with water. Ground which is sloped could mean that your tank is at risk of slanting. The base needs to be completely level, as even a few degrees of slope will mean that there will be pressure on one side of the tank as the water gathers. Next, you will want to find this flat and stable ground near the house. To keep costs down, the best spot would be located next to an existing downpipe. 

If you have found this, then you have found the perfect spot. At some added cost, you can always chat to a guttering company about how you can adapt your existing gutters and pipes to accommodate a tank. Of course, almost any property can accommodate a rainwater tank in some shape or form, and they do not necessarily have to be quite so conventional. Perhaps you don’t have wide, open, flat spaces right next to the house. This doesn’t mean that you cannot have a rain water tank.
 

One answer is to look into the range of modern smaller tanks. When you think of a rain water tank, most people picture those huge round vessels that take up the space of half a house. However, as more and more people have recognised the importance of a tank on their property, manufacturing companies have adapted and created new designs that suit people with limited space. Slimline tanks are some of the most popular, and are elongated in shape rather than round. The can easily slot down the side of a house beside the fence, and are barely noticeable. There are also some other options of space saving tanks, such as under deck tanks. So many Australian homes these days make the most of our gorgeous weather by building an expansive deck. Beneath this structure is a tonne of space that can easily be used to house a tank solution. Talk to a tank company about how you can go about making use of this area.
 

Finally, you can of course locate your tank elsewhere on your property and connect it to your gutters via a network of pipes and possibly pumps. This is a common choice for residents living in the Adelaide Hills with plenty of space on their property. It makes sense that if you have land down the bottom of the property that is better suited, then you should use it. The catch is that it will require either a bigger budget of plenty of time on your hands to install all of the pipes that connect the tank to the roof. It will also require some excavation, so if you’ve got any structures between the home and the tank that could be an issue.
 

Whatever you do, before you get to the real planning stages, make sure you are aware of your specific council guidelines and policies when it comes to rain water tank location. Speak with the friendly and knowledgeable rain water tanks team in Adelaide at Taylor Made Tanks today.

Rainwater Tanks Adelaide

Reduce your water bills

Switching your house’s water reliance from mains water to rainwater can actually result in slashing your water bills. If you have a family, your water usage can really get up high. Coming from a family of three girls, we were constantly experiencing high water bills owing to the half and hour showers we use to have. If you’ve noticed a hike in your water bills and are finding them difficult to pay, making the switch to rainwater could be a great idea. As rainwater is free, you can use as much as you like, without it damaging your bank account. There will be no more need to yell at your kids to get out of the shower. 

Garden Maintenance 

If you have a green thumb, chances are you love having a beautiful garden that is well kept and nice and green. Unfortunately, when summer hits in Adelaide it can be very difficult to keep your garden looking fresh. With water restrictions in place in some areas, you may not be allowed to use mains water to water your garden. However, if you have your own rainwater supply, you can still maintain your garden. Enjoy a nice green garden, while everyone else has a yellow one with your own rainwater collection. 

Why use rainwater?

• Using rainwater can reduce your water bills as rainwater is free. 

• Collecting rainwater allows you to be prepared for times of low rainfall, so you can still maintain your garden, especially if there are water restrictions in your area.

• Capturing rainwater reduces the load on storm water systems because roof runoff is not flushed into the drains.

• Using rainwater reduces the need to build more water storage dams, which may have to be situated in environmentally sensitive areas.

Benefits of installing a rainwater tank

• Saves large amounts of water which can be used in the garden or in the home.

• Requires a relatively simple system which is easy to use.

•  During the wet season, when the garden doesn't need any extra watering, rainwater can be connected to the house and used for toilet flushing as well as in the laundry.

• Rainwater is also suitable for use in pools and for washing cars.

• In some rural areas, it is possible to use rainwater for all domestic uses, and not draw upon the mains supply.

See the menu options for more information on uses for rainwater, selecting a rainwater tank, rainwater tank installation and advice and issues Around Rainwater Tanks in Adelaide.

Rainwater Tanks in Bushfire Areas

Here in South Australia, bushfires can be a real threat during our long heatwaves. Residents living in particularly prone areas, such as the Adelaide Hills or in regional areas are well aware that Installing a Reliable Rainwater Tank in Adelaide can be lifesaving. However, there are particular considerations to put into effect in the event of an actual bushfire. 

Firstly, tanks can be a very handy source of water to help fight the fire for those who choose to stay. This is of course providing that your tank is fitted with a pressurised pump to ensure water flow to a hose. Electric pumps which take water from dams or bores will risk being cut off and cannot be relied upon.

If you do intend to fight as part of your bushfire plan, then authorities advise a 3.7kw portable diesel or petrol motor coupled with a 38mm centrifugal fire pump. Residents can only attempt to fight with a tank if it is made of Aquaplate or galvanised steel. Poly tanks or fibreglass materials are simply not equipped to deal with the extreme pressures. Not only will they damage, but that are considered combustible, making it extremely dangerous for anyone nearby. 

If the situation is not that dire, then authorities suggest installing a system which will easily and instantly disconnect your roof with the collection system. This is to prevent the ash and toxic debris from entering the water supply which you may have been carefully gathering for months. If you do not intend to fight the fire, or have alternate water supplies, then it is recommended that the disconnection be made at the first hint of threat. 

It is not just the ash that can contaminate your supply. Fire suppressant water dropped from planes can also be harmful.  Any burning of the pipes or tank itself is immediate cause for concern, and water should not be consumed or used indoors. The first priority is to have the water tested to ensure that you can begin cleaning the roof and reattaching the pipes. If it is not fit for drinking, then either use the water elsewhere, or drain it fully and have it professionally cleaned so that potable water can begin to be collected.

Now it is time to thoroughly check and clean the roof, providing no structural damage has occurred. All the ash and debris needs to be removed, and pipes and gutters cleaned. Unfortunately, finding dead animals on the roof is also a high possibility. Once a decent manual job is done, residents should complete a first flush. A first flush diverter is an absolute necessity in bushfire areas. This device was intended to rinse off the roof when the first rains fell, to prevent any build up over summer from interfering with the water. Once that first rinse is done, the water collects as normal. 

It cannot be stressed enough the importance of a great mesh filter, both over gutters and at the tank entrance. A good mesh will remain smooth so that leaves and debris slide over the edge while only letting in water. Mesh which is too coarse will trap leaves. Dry leaves and debris on the roof is large quantities is a huge bushfire hazard. Occasional cleaning may be necessary, but overall a good quality mesh product should do the job.   The sooner a tank is installed and set up responsibly, the sooner families can feel at ease about their bushfire safety. Please contact Taylor Made Tanks to arrange a Professional Rainwater Tank Consultation in Adelaide with our talented team.

Post Installation Tips for Your Rain Water Tank

According to recent statistics, over a quarter of Australian households currently have a rainwater tank installed on the property. This is an encouraging number, and it shows no signs of slowing, as more and more residents consider installing a large Rainwater Tank Locally in Adelaide. While tanks require very little maintenance overall, there are some tips to ensure your tanks stays clean and produces healthy water so that your investment is worthwhile. 

First of all, is the simple tip of keeping the gutters clean. This is a no brainer, as although tanks have filtering systems in place, leaves and debris from the gutter are simply going to clog the system. Water will be unable to drain into the tank efficiently, and so you will not be getting as much rainwater as you could. Once every three months is sufficient to keep your drainage system functioning smoothly. If getting up on the roof this often is not for you, then a mesh gutter guard is a great low maintenance alternative. 

You collect rainwater to use in the house, not for mosquitoes and pests to breed in. A tank filled with water presents optimistic bugs and insects the perfect wet environment in which to live. If your tank is unprotected, there will be no getting rid of these pesky inhabitants, and clearly your water source will be contaminated. Of course, there is a simple and obvious solution which is to apply a mosquito mesh over the entrance to your tank. More than 90% of tank owners were aware of this according to a recent survey, but alarmingly, just over half were aware that this net needed to be changed every so often. Mesh that is exposed to the elements will eventually wear away, weaken or be nibbled and scratched at. In order to keep your precious water protected, at least check on your meshing a few times per year. 

If you are using your rainwater for secondary uses, such as flushing the toilet or in the garden, then the quality is not so important. However, many houses require a higher grade of water, directed to drinking, cooking and washing purposes. For those who fall into the latter category, testing the water more regularly is a priority. Any drop in the standard could result in serious health risks. The good news is that this testing takes a few minutes, and is only really needed a couple of times per year. Odours, discoloration and sediment will all indicate some problem with filtration in your system, and should be corrected immediately. 

After checking your water quality, you want to make sure all that pure rainwater makes it to the house. Leaking pipes can reduce the efficiency in the transport of water from tank to home. Symptoms may include low pressure in the shower or from the tap, or an unusually high reliance on mains water despite your significant resources. Check vegetation surrounding your pipelines for any thriving that may suggest an increased water source. 

A rainwater tank truly is a cost effective and time saving device that has clear advantages. These minimal checks are all that it takes to ensure your tank will work to peak efficiency for decades. Of course, it helps a great deal to install a top quality tank in the first place, and to be educated on all of the processes mentioned above. Taylor Made Tanks offers a highly skilled team to ensure all of our customers are comfortable with the ways in which they can care for their New Rainwater Tank Installed in Adelaide.

Which Capacity Rainwater Tank is For Your Situation?

When purchasing a suitable rain water tank model in Adelaide, no doubt one of the first topics to consider is the right size. One of the major factors that muddy this decision is salespeople trying to upsell. While opting for a slightly roomy tank is a wise choice, selecting a style that is grossly too big will be a complete waste of money and precious garden space. The goal is to capture the closest volume to what you comfortably use, with bigger not necessarily being better. So, here we will look at the factors that you should chat to your tank supplier about, as well as some more general size estimates.

Obviously, the rainfall in your area will determine the size. However, this is far from the only consideration, and some customers have been known to place far too weighty an emphasis on this element alone. Here in Adelaide we enjoy over 550 mL of rain on average per year. In short, this is a decent amount and certainly makes a solid harvesting effort worthwhile, but it is certainly not the most in Australia. 

The next two factors are usually related. First of all, the area of your roof will limit how much of this water you could possibly hope to capture. There is no point in installing a huge tank in a heavy rainfall area to support a large family if they are all cramped under a little roof. A medium sized roof is considered to be around 150m², or 5m x 10m. When talking to a professional about your roof size, it is best to estimate or measure the length and the width and calculate an area. Of course, this can be difficult with roofs which jut out all over the place, but a rough estimate is better than blindly guessing.

Next to consider is the number of people who will be consuming the water. Helpfully, SA Water now offers statistics and comparisons on their quarterly water bill. You can look at the average usage for a family of your size. Many people who note that they are above average do not realise the extent, and so this can help you predict the amount of water that you would realistically use while being a little more sparing.  I say these two are usually related as there are some clear exceptions. Most importantly are two storey houses, particularly townhouses. Being built vertically on a tiny block, they can house a large number of people quite easily but the roof space is not proportionate.

Adelaide is certainly ahead of the curve when it comes to leading the charge on rainwater usage. An Impressive 49% of Adelaide homes use some rainwater, compared to only 26% nationally. This is almost double. Further, the rest of the state is also doing incredibly well. 83% of homes outside the capital city in our state use rainwater to some degree, compared with 37% nationwide.  In fact, if looking at a ten year average, South Australia was the top state in relying on rainwater.

A professional tank company will be able to perform some minor calculations and determine your ideal sized tank. As a guide, residential tanks generally vary anywhere between 1,400L and 14,000L. If you know for a fact you are at the top or the bottom of this spectrum, the choice is easy. The hard part is working out where in the middle majority your family sits. To help with this Important Rain Water Tank Decision in Adelaide, have a chat to the always honest Taylor Made Tanks.