Rainwater tanks are a great asset to have in your home or farm. They hold water for use in and around the house. Since rain is a free water source an accompanying rainwater tank saves you the cost of using council water and offers a sustainable source during shortages. Underground tanks have no limit on size or design. Depending on your budget you can get anything from a small tank to a massive storage unit. Nonetheless, the benefits of an underground tank are not fully realised unless the tank is maintained in tip-top shape. Here are some things you must do to maintain your underground rainwater tank
Clean your roof.
Rainwater is harvested into water tanks through the roof and rainwater collection system. Unfortunately, the first few litres of water collected from the roof contain a lot of dirt and other contaminants from the initial roof runoff. These contaminants may pollute the water in your tank and introduce unwanted bacteria and decayed organic materials into the tank. As a result, the tank is at risk of corrosion. To avoid pollution of the tank, clean out your roof. Ensure the gutters are free of leaves and other debris and the drains are not clogged. Moreover, a good rainwater harvesting system directs the first flush away from the main collection downpipe. Once the alternative downpipe is full, the rest of the water flows into the underground rainwater tank through the main collection downpipe.
Clean out the tank
A dirty tank is at risk of chemical corrosion. Accumulation of different contaminants is likely to initiate chemical reactions along the walls of the tank resulting in erosion. Therefore, it’s important to clean out the tank routinely and restore it to a hygienic state that is good for the structure of the tank and the user. The process of cleaning an underground tank should be executed by professionals. It is a dangerous undertaking since some tanks are massive and some contaminats are harmful. Desludging of an underground rainwater tank should be done every 2-3 years to avoid the accumulation of contaminants.
Keep the hatch closed
Aside from the safety of users and pets, keeping the hatch of the rainwater tank closed also maintains the tank. Sealing the tank prevents entry of contaminants that may damage the tank. Moreover, minimal light entry discourages the growth of bacteria that are culprits in corroding concrete. The hatch should be sealed tightly and secured.
Conduct prompt repairs
When it comes to underground tanks, it’s better to attend to repairs promptly than wait for the damage to be glaring. Underground tanks are construction builds that obey the rules of structural design. Therefore, any sign of a compromise in the structural integrity of the build is a red flag that needs to be attended to. Cracks on the walls must be looked into and where reinforcement is necessary, it should be done. Underground tanks take on a lot of pressure, therefore, it’s unwise to overlook repairs.
An underground rainwater tank is a huge investment. For that reason, it’s important to maintain it in tip-top shape. In some properties, the tank sits below the house and its part and parcel of the structural design of the house. If you do a great job in maintaining your tank, you are certain of enjoying the full benefits of owning one.
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