If you’ve been thinking about the changing climate and increasing water bills lately, you’ve probably thought about installing your own rain tanks. They’re a great way to help with the bills and harness a sustainable approach for the future – but is it hard to install them yourselves?
Things to consider:
Although on your property, some water tanks may require planning approval from your local council. If in doubt, you’re always better safe than sorry and having remove it at a later date after you’ve spent money on materials and used up your own time.
It is also best to hire a licensed plumber to link the system up to your house, especially if it is connected to your home’s main water supply – again, better to pay a little upfront rather than face the consequences later down the track.
Before installation:
Find a spot on your site that is compliant with approval and regulations from your local council. Good locations can include in a side passage, under a deck or elevated house or behind a garage. This all depends on your house and intended usage of the tank. Generally speaking it means having a tank no more than 450mm from the side boundary if the tank is greater than 1.9m high. However you are best to check with your council.
Once found, clear all green matter which could rot under the base and measure out the dimensions for the tank. For a base, concrete and platforms made from timber and steel far outperform a sand base, lending
them to be a more viable long-term option.
Installing the rain tank:
Although not overly heav when they’re empty, rain tanks can prove to be quite awkward to move, so you might want to seek some help to get it in place. Once on the platform, cut into the stormwater pipe accurately to prevent leaks and install the elbow joint to redirect into your rainwater tank.
As this is going on, you should also install the filter into the piping to ensure most leaves or gunk don’t get to your tank. This diverts the water, separating the dirty from the clean. As 1 litre of water weighs 1 kilogram, you’ll want to ensure that the pipes are bracketed as they’ll get a lot heavier when full. Plumbing Code of Australia specifies how to do this. The code is written in order for plumbing systems to function correctly.
Install all parts first without using glue to ensure it all fits and is in the right place, and then when it looks all good, glue it up, giving it a tight seal.
Maintenance:
Although being quite low maintenance, you’re going to want to keep an eye on your gutters to ensure they are cleared, getting rid of any chance of your water quality becoming tainted.
Contact Us For Rainwater Tank Installation
Sounding a bit much? We understand! It may seem like a lot to handle, and that’s why we at Aussie Water Savers are here to help you get the best rainwater outcome for your house. With over 35 years of experience in the industry, we know just exactly what works for every individual household. With fast delivery and superior warranty, we will ensure that you won’t have to worry about a thing before, during and after installation. Request a quote from us or check out our free eBook today!