Adding a water tank to a new or existing property
There’s no doubt that having a water tank for your home or bach is money well spent. Here in Auckland, we’ve learned in recent months that you never know when water supplies might be limited, and having your own tank supply of water is a sound investment.
If you’re building a new home or bach, we suggest you look into installing a water tank, even if your property is supplied by a water company. As we’ve written about in other blogs, including this one called Is It Worth Getting A Water Tank, having a supplementary tank as a top-up is a great way to save money on water.
Rainwater / stormwater tanks
When you think about tank water, many people think about the underground water tanks that need to be filled by a water supply company. These are generally large polyethylene plastic tanks that are laid before or during the build phase. But recently, above-ground water tanks have become extremely popular for homes in and around Auckland. These are filled via rainwater collection (sometimes called stormwater tanks) and are a great way to collect free rainwater for potable or non-potable use.
Above-ground stormwater tanks come in various shapes – round, oval, rectangle, slim-line – making it easy to find a good spot for them beside the house, connected to your downpipes. They range in size from very small (about 300 litres) to very large (about 30,000 litres).
For many of our clients, we’re installing tanks in the medium range – our most popular installations are tanks of 3000 or 5000 litres. We know the Promax brand very well and trust their superb quality.
Promax water tanks
Promax plastic rainwater tanks are made from UV treated polyethylene plastic. This poly tank is made of non-biodegradable plastic, making it food safe and perfect for potable water, as it won’t break down for some time.
Other key features of Promax water tanks include:
- Corrugated side walls for extra strength
- Maintenance-free one-piece moulded construction
- Clean, fresh, untainted storage for drinking water and household use
- Range of 7 colours to suit your surroundings
- Certification to AS/NZ 4766 – polyethylene storage tank standard
Most Promax tanks are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years.
A few other factors affect how long your water tank will last.
- Location – if your tank is exposed to direct sunlight, the plastic will eventually be affected by the sun’s UV rays.
- Ground – if you have a rectangular tank on uneven ground, there may eventually be wear and tear on the side walls from the weight of the contents.
- Impact – if your water tank is in a section of your garden where it is likely to be struck by soccer/cricket/hockey balls, the impact over time may affect how long the tank lasts.
To extend the life of your rainwater tank, then, wherever possible:
- position it out of direct sunlight
- install it on level ground
- keep it away from where any ball sports or other activities occur
How long your poly tank lasts may also be affected by any treatment chemicals used in it. This is particularly relevant if you’re using your tank water as a potable water source.
There are several factors, therefore, that can affect how long a water tank will last. A good rule of thumb is to consider 10 years the minimum lifespan. If it’s looked after and maintained well, you should get between 10 and 20 years out of it (yes, we know that is a large gap, but many things affect it). We have heard of some instances where a water tank has lasted 30 years in a suitable condition. We’d consider this an exception, and would expect a lifespan closer to 20 years.
Call Regency Plumbing for your water tank supply and installation
We can provide you with the most appropriate size or shape water tank for your house or bach.
We have some great package deals on tanks, ranging in size from 1,000 to 25,000 litres – and all fitted with a pump.
There is a small upfront investment, but the ongoing benefits of having your own water tank and water supply are worth it. You’ll save money on your water use, and you’ll enjoy the convenience of having your own supply for whatever you like.
So, get in touch with Regency Plumbing and have your water tank installed.
