Rainwater Tanks is a very popular item in gardens and greenhouses these days. They are one of the most common items on patios nowadays. With the increase in population and the need to meet our basic needs, more gardens are getting built with the accompaniment of outdoor water storage devices. And as a bonus, they look great too. If you are thinking about adding a tank to your property, do-it-yourself (DIY) or hire a professional, here are some simple tips that will help you determine if your chosen garden accessory is worth its cost.
- Do Rainwater Tanks Need Cleaning? It is important that you clean and maintain rainwater tanks regularly to make sure no algae or other microorganism are growing within the tanks. An algae growth can cause the water in the tanks to taste bad. The tanks also need to be checked for leaks and signs of damage and need to be replaced with new ones to ensure your tanks are working at full capacity all year long.
- Is a Roof Overhang Necessary? – A roof overhang may be necessary depending upon where you are installing your rainwater tanks. If the tanks are to be installed on a flat roof, then it may not be necessary to use a rainwater tank as the tanks are already located above the roofing. However, if you are installing the tank on a sloped roof, then you need to use rainwater tanks to collect the runoff. This means you will need to install gutters downpipes to channel the runoff into the tank.
- Is a Roof Needed? – It is recommended that you install a roof overhang on any roof overhangs. This will allow the water in the tank to run off easily and will prevent the collected water from collecting on the roof. It does not, however, mean you need a roof cover. If you are using rainwater tanks for domestic purposes, then there is no need for a roof covering.
- Do I Need Building Permission? – Depending on your location you will need building permission before installing rainwater tanks and installing your roof. In some areas, you may not need building permission at all as the tanks are only to be placed on the roof. If you are building the tanks for commercial reasons, then building permission will be required by your local council.
- Is it Possible to Install a Roof Overhang? – Rainwater tanks are available in different heights, which means you can have roofs of different heights installed on your tanks. Your choice of roofing material will have an impact on the rainwater tanks appearance and the durability, but in the end, you will still have a beautiful and effective rainwater tank in your garden. You may decide to just use the roof of your existing garden shed, which is quite an attractive option.
- How much can I Expect to Use my Rainwater Tank? – It all depends on how much you use your rainwater tanks. You should calculate how much water you are currently using each day or each week and add this number to the length of time you are intending to use the tank. For example, if you are intending to store fifty litres of drinking water, you should calculate how much you are currently using and add this to the available space in your home.
So now we’ve established what the answer to the question ‘Are rainwater tanks right for me?’ is yes. However, you also need to consider whether you are likely to be using the water yourself or are you planning to buy some sort of pre-fabricated system for harvesting rainwater. Although you can indeed save money by installing rainwater tanks, you will still need to make sure that the tanks are placed in an area where they are likely to receive adequate amounts of rainfall.
