Renovating
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Building Components
Let It Rain: 20 Questions to Ask Before Installing a Water Tank
Come rain or shine, the right water tank will see that you don't run dry when you need it most
If, like me, you don’t have access to any town water and you’re not blessed with a natural spring or dam on your property, then a water tank is a must, and it’s worth opting for the biggest you can afford. When it really pours, you’ll want to harness as much of that rain as possible for drier times.
Even if you are connected to mains water, it’s a good idea to harvest some rainwater – you can save money on water bills, drench your garden liberally without upsetting the neighbours, as well as having access to clean, unpolluted water. And, as these ideas show, a water tank can look pretty good, too. But before you run out and buy one, here are some essential questions to ask first.
Even if you are connected to mains water, it’s a good idea to harvest some rainwater – you can save money on water bills, drench your garden liberally without upsetting the neighbours, as well as having access to clean, unpolluted water. And, as these ideas show, a water tank can look pretty good, too. But before you run out and buy one, here are some essential questions to ask first.
2. Can I put it under the deck?
This is a very Australian look – the large water tank is right at home tucked under the timber deck; ideal if space is an issue. The burnt orange and charcoal colours look stunning together, too.
This is a very Australian look – the large water tank is right at home tucked under the timber deck; ideal if space is an issue. The burnt orange and charcoal colours look stunning together, too.
3. Why does my roof space matter?
You’ll need to calculate the total square metres of your roof space before deciding on the size of the tank – the bigger your roof, the more water you can capture. A rough guide to calculate your run-off is one millimetre of rain on one square metre of roof will collect one litre of water in your tank.
You’ll need to calculate the total square metres of your roof space before deciding on the size of the tank – the bigger your roof, the more water you can capture. A rough guide to calculate your run-off is one millimetre of rain on one square metre of roof will collect one litre of water in your tank.
4. Do I really need a big tank?
Even if you do have the capacity, not every water tank has to be huge. It all depends on what your needs are. If it’s just for a modest garden, then a simple small tank like the one pictured may suffice.
Even if you do have the capacity, not every water tank has to be huge. It all depends on what your needs are. If it’s just for a modest garden, then a simple small tank like the one pictured may suffice.
5. What if I have a large garden?
Some gardens are thirstier than others. If you have a large property and an edible garden with lots of vegetables and fruit trees, you’ll need to make sure you’re going to have sufficient water for all your needs. Lawns also use lots of water.
Some gardens are thirstier than others. If you have a large property and an edible garden with lots of vegetables and fruit trees, you’ll need to make sure you’re going to have sufficient water for all your needs. Lawns also use lots of water.
6. What else can I use it for?
Other uses for a water tank might be washing clothes, flushing the toilet, bathing, or washing the car. Write a list of everything you might use it for, how many litres of water each activity uses and then see if you can estimate your weekly water requirements.
Other uses for a water tank might be washing clothes, flushing the toilet, bathing, or washing the car. Write a list of everything you might use it for, how many litres of water each activity uses and then see if you can estimate your weekly water requirements.
8. Can I drink it?
Unless you’re in a highly polluted area, there’s nothing like clean-tasting rainwater free of chlorine and other additives. But if you are using your water for drinking, it’s crucial to keep it clean and have it tested regularly – once a year should be sufficient. A first-flush diverter fitted to the down pipe should be installed, and you can also install a filter to keep your water quality at an optimum. Ensure that no toxic paints or coatings have been used on your roof recently, as this could affect the water quality.
Unless you’re in a highly polluted area, there’s nothing like clean-tasting rainwater free of chlorine and other additives. But if you are using your water for drinking, it’s crucial to keep it clean and have it tested regularly – once a year should be sufficient. A first-flush diverter fitted to the down pipe should be installed, and you can also install a filter to keep your water quality at an optimum. Ensure that no toxic paints or coatings have been used on your roof recently, as this could affect the water quality.
9. Do I have to keep it clean?
If you have lots of overhanging branches around your house, be sure to check your gutters regularly for blockages of twigs and leaves. You’ll also need to ensure no animals or their droppings can get into the tank. Though unlikely, the last thing you want is a dead possum contaminating the tank!
If you have lots of overhanging branches around your house, be sure to check your gutters regularly for blockages of twigs and leaves. You’ll also need to ensure no animals or their droppings can get into the tank. Though unlikely, the last thing you want is a dead possum contaminating the tank!
10. Do I need more than one?
Once you’ve worked out your water needs, see if installing two might work better than one. These two steel water tanks fit under the two decks and are perfectly balanced at either side of the home, in complementary materials.
Once you’ve worked out your water needs, see if installing two might work better than one. These two steel water tanks fit under the two decks and are perfectly balanced at either side of the home, in complementary materials.
11. Can I hide it away?
Water tank? What water tank? If you do opt to hide yours away, where better than under a timber deck? Hiding beneath this deck is a 14,000-litre concrete water tank – a great use of space.
Water tank? What water tank? If you do opt to hide yours away, where better than under a timber deck? Hiding beneath this deck is a 14,000-litre concrete water tank – a great use of space.
12. What other underground options are there?
This tank is concealed under the garage floor. Underground is a great place to locate a tank if space is an issue. Do bear in mind though that it’s likely to be more expensive than anything above ground. Look out for new products coming on the market; shop around and see what’s best for your property and needs. Water bladders for underground spaces can be both durable and affordable. Also consider that you may need to pump water from the tank, especially if it’s underground.
This tank is concealed under the garage floor. Underground is a great place to locate a tank if space is an issue. Do bear in mind though that it’s likely to be more expensive than anything above ground. Look out for new products coming on the market; shop around and see what’s best for your property and needs. Water bladders for underground spaces can be both durable and affordable. Also consider that you may need to pump water from the tank, especially if it’s underground.
13. What should it be made of?
When selecting the materials for the tank, do your homework. Concrete might be more expensive than polyurethane, but it should last longer. Steel is another long-lasting option, but beware of rusting. Talk to the various manufacturers and, like any other product, weigh up the price versus maintenance/longevity issues. If it’s for drinking, take this into account, too, when selecting materials – some people have issues with drinking water that has been stored in plastic because of chemical residues, but you need to check that steel or concrete tanks do not have chemical linings, too. Also consider materials and colour from a design perspective – a steel tank, for instance, can beautifully harmonise with a steel construction.
When selecting the materials for the tank, do your homework. Concrete might be more expensive than polyurethane, but it should last longer. Steel is another long-lasting option, but beware of rusting. Talk to the various manufacturers and, like any other product, weigh up the price versus maintenance/longevity issues. If it’s for drinking, take this into account, too, when selecting materials – some people have issues with drinking water that has been stored in plastic because of chemical residues, but you need to check that steel or concrete tanks do not have chemical linings, too. Also consider materials and colour from a design perspective – a steel tank, for instance, can beautifully harmonise with a steel construction.
14. How much rainfall is there?
If you have regular rainfall, you can afford to have a smaller tank than areas where rainfall is very seasonal. During torrential rains, smaller tanks will overflow, losing all that precious water which would have been collected by a larger tank and stored for dry times. Check out this map to assess the rainfall in your area.
If you have regular rainfall, you can afford to have a smaller tank than areas where rainfall is very seasonal. During torrential rains, smaller tanks will overflow, losing all that precious water which would have been collected by a larger tank and stored for dry times. Check out this map to assess the rainfall in your area.
15. What about bushfires?
Are you in a bushfire-prone area? This is another important consideration, because on rural properties not on town water, you’ll need plenty of water in the event of an emergency, especially if you have sprinkler systems that require lots of water. Also remember that, in many areas, a proportion of your tank has to be reserved for Rural Fire Service use. Contact them for more information before selecting the size of your tank.
Are you in a bushfire-prone area? This is another important consideration, because on rural properties not on town water, you’ll need plenty of water in the event of an emergency, especially if you have sprinkler systems that require lots of water. Also remember that, in many areas, a proportion of your tank has to be reserved for Rural Fire Service use. Contact them for more information before selecting the size of your tank.
16. What if I don’t have enough space?
No space? No problem. This tank makes brilliant use of a narrow pathway. There are many shapes and sizes now available in Australia that cater for various space requirements.
No space? No problem. This tank makes brilliant use of a narrow pathway. There are many shapes and sizes now available in Australia that cater for various space requirements.
17. Do I need development approval?
This one looks pretty as a picture in its own timber house, but don’t forget to include the water tank in your development application if building from scratch, and check with your local council when installing a large tank.
This one looks pretty as a picture in its own timber house, but don’t forget to include the water tank in your development application if building from scratch, and check with your local council when installing a large tank.
18. Should I landscape around it?
Your water tank doesn’t have to stand out or be hidden. This one is an attractive backdrop to the courtyard. The subtle green and red foliage and the green water tank complement each other so you barely know the tank is there.
Your water tank doesn’t have to stand out or be hidden. This one is an attractive backdrop to the courtyard. The subtle green and red foliage and the green water tank complement each other so you barely know the tank is there.
19. Can I decorate it?
Why not? Here, the painted numbers on the water tank make a quirky feature and pick up on the accent colour of the building.
Why not? Here, the painted numbers on the water tank make a quirky feature and pick up on the accent colour of the building.
20. What if I live in the city?
That could be an issue, but living in the city or suburbs doesn’t always mean having to forgo a water tank. The slimline tank pictured fits snugly in the courtyard of this home in Sydney’s Inner West.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES
Do you have a water tank at home? Which option works best at your house? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
MORE IDEABOOKS
11 Ways to Save Water (and a Little Money While You’re at It) at Home
Eco-Enhancing Additions for Every Budget
USA Houzz: Eco-Friendly Living in a Tiny Haven on Wheels
Eco-Clever Ways to Embrace the Extreme Aussie Climate
That could be an issue, but living in the city or suburbs doesn’t always mean having to forgo a water tank. The slimline tank pictured fits snugly in the courtyard of this home in Sydney’s Inner West.
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES
Do you have a water tank at home? Which option works best at your house? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
MORE IDEABOOKS
11 Ways to Save Water (and a Little Money While You’re at It) at Home
Eco-Enhancing Additions for Every Budget
USA Houzz: Eco-Friendly Living in a Tiny Haven on Wheels
Eco-Clever Ways to Embrace the Extreme Aussie Climate
If you’re building or landscaping from scratch, take the water tank into account at the design stage. If you have the space, you don’t need to hide your water tank away – why not make a feature of it? This steel aquaplane Colorbond tank contrasts beautifully with the weathered timber.
Step inside this home