Water Tanks Brisbane
Your Guide to Buying a Water Tank
Brisbane is the third most populous city in Australia. As such, the need for home rainwater tanks is high. Home rainwater tanks collect and store rain and storm water to serve as a source of water for households during the summer, when water use is often restricted due to the low levels of the city’s reservoirs.
Many Brisbane households already rely on rainwater tanks for their supplemental supply. Depending on the region, new houses may even be required to be plumbed into a rainwater tank for laundry and toilet use. Since an increasing number of homes are installing rainwater tanks, we have put together a guide to walk you through the steps of buying a rainwater tank in Brisbane.
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Steel Water TanksMetal rainwater tanks are formed from galvanized steel or stainless steel that is either flat-rolled or corrugated. The tanks can also be made with a specialized steel called Aquaplate, which is coated with a Colorbond plating on the outside and a waterproof coating on the inside to prevent corrosion.
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Poly Water TanksPlastic rainwater tanks are made from polyethylene, polypropylene, or geotextile. They are good choices for homes near coastal regions, since they do not rust. In addition, they are affordable and durable. Light impacts are unlikely to cause much damage, though greater impacts may cause punctures.
Another material used in the fabrication of plastic rainwater tanks is PVC. It is used as the bladder in plastic bladder tanks stored below a floor or deck. Water from this type of tank is usually meant for gardening, laundry, or toilets, but not for drinking. Pros
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Concrete Water TanksConcrete tanks are most often used underground. They are quite durable, but above-ground tanks without a plastic or rubber liner may sweat and form a residue on the outside. If they do get damaged, repairs can be costly, and disposal of a disintegrating tank can require heavy equipment.
While concrete tanks are typically used for agricultural or industrial purposes, they can be used at homes with acreage. Since they are fire-proof and rust-proof, they are popular for small homesteads. They are available as ready-made tanks, or they can be customised to meet your needs. Pros
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Fibreglass Water TanksOf all the tank materials, fiberglass is the most robust. Rainwater tanks made from fiberglass are impact-resistant, fire-resistant, rust-resistant, and easy to repair. In addition, they can withstand both high and low temperature extremes. They are best suited as above-ground tanks.
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Location of Rainwater TankThe biggest factor in determining the size of the rainwater tank is the amount of space that is available in the location where the tank is to be placed. The total footprint area of this location will dictate both the shape and the size of the tank, as well as its colour, if you prefer the tank to blend in with its surroundings.
For small areas, such as the area between the home and a fence, a slimline tank would work best. For areas where the available space is not enough to allow for a tank large enough to meet the needs, a below-ground tank is recommended. Bladder tanks could be considered for spaces below a post-mounted deck. Other factors that play into choosing a rainwater tank include the temperature of the location, its elevation, and its proximity to roof gutters. For locations that experience high temperatures and sunlight for part of the year, the tanks should be placed in a shady spot. If the location’s elevation is high and allows for a higher tank outlet placement, the natural water pressure will be higher. Placing the tank closer to the roof gutters allows for less plumbing work. |
Rainfall & Catchment AreaAnother thing to consider when choosing a rainwater tank is the amount of rainfall that occurs in your area. For areas with higher and more regular rainfall, you can probably get by with a smaller rainwater tank. This is because the tank will fill often with frequent rains, so even if you use a lot of water, the tank will stay filled.
On the other hand, if your area receives lower and more infrequent rainfalls, you will need a larger tank to store water. This will tide you over between rainfalls. In addition, if the area of your roof is small, you need a larger tank, because it will capture more water as the rain runs off your roof. For example, for every square meter of roof area, 1 litre of water can be collected for each millimetre of rainfall. Therefore, a roof that measures 200 square meters can capture 200 litres of water per millimetre of rain. |
Saving MoneyOne of the biggest benefits of having a rainwater tank is the possibility of saving money. If this is one of your goals of collecting rainwater, you need to think about the cost to benefit ratio of a smaller tank versus a larger tank. In addition, the cost of filling and maintaining the tank should be considered. All of this must be weighed against the cost of town water. This will lead you to the best size, shape, and material for your rainwater tank. Though it may seem expensive up-front, over time it will save you money.
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Becoming Self-SufficientAnother common goal for installing a rainwater tank is to become completely self-sufficient. In order to do this, you should consider all of the ways that water is used in your household. Most people use water for drinking, cleaning, washing, toilet, and gardening. This could add up to a significant amount of water and require a large tank or even multiple tanks. Spend some time tracking the amount of water being used in your home. To allow for growth, you should then add 50-100% to this number and choose a tank or tanks that can store that amount.
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Meeting Partial Water NeedsSome people do not aim to be completely reliant on the water stored in their rainwater tanks. They would just like to have a back-up supply to supplement what they are using from the town water supply and to have when water restrictions kick in. In order to meet partial water needs, carefully consider what you use water for, then choose a tank size that will accommodate those.
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Below is a list of questions to ask yourself when choosing a rainwater tank for your household.
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Algester Road
Algester Qld 4115 |