What To Plan For When Installing A Rainwater Tank In The UK

Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rain for a variety of uses. There are a number of benefits to installing a rainwater harvesting tank in your home or business. After meeting rainwater tank installation cost, you can look forward to reducing your spend on water from the mains supply, reducing erosion and flooding, and improving the growth of plants. But how should you go about rainwater harvesting tank installation? In this blog, we offer a step-by-step guide.

1. Above Or Below Ground?

This is an important decision to make in the planning stage. Underground installation can suit those who need to economise on space, and an underground tank can also guard against damage from weather or vandalism. Tanks installed above the ground are typically easier to install, without requiring any digging or reinforcing. This can make them less expensive.

2. Consider Capacity

You can get an idea of the capacity you need by taking into account the amount of rainwater you need, and what you are able to collect. The larger your roof is, the more rainwater you will be able to collect. Bear in mind that 1mm of rain on 1cm² roof should equate to one litre of water. So if your roof is 100m², 20mm of rainfall could give you 2,000 litres. In general, tanks for an average home will fall between 2,000 and 10,000 litres.

3. Prepare The Area

Depending on whether you are installing an overground or underground rainwater tank, you will require either a concrete base or excavation work to be undertaken in order to prepare the area for installation.

4. Supply Pumping

There are a variety of ways that water can be used within a household or commercial site – from toilets to gardens, and animal feed. Once you have decided where you want the rainwater used, you will need to supply pumping for it.

5. Don’t Forget…

You are going to need to provide easy access for the maintenance of your rainwater harvesting system, and also ensure that it has an overflow function that comes into play when there is heavy rain. It is also a good idea to consider a backup system, should you encounter issues with any part of your system.

6. Do You Need Planning Permission?

In general, planning permission is not needed for rainwater tank installation – however, you might want to check with your local council office just to give you peace of mind.

So that’s how to install a rainwater tank DIY-style! If that sounds like a headache, Enduramaxx advises seeking professional help to ensure the installation goes smoothly. You can get in touch with us for more help and advice.