Prepare your site for an in-ground water tank

Concrete in ground water tanks weigh a lot, and, it is for this reason that the hole into which the tank is being placed has been correctly prepared before the water tank arrives. With the hole already in place and properly set up, when your in-ground water tank is delivered it can be maneuvered straight into the hole.

The hole for your water tank needs to be dug larger than the water tank itself, but to the correct depth – this is so the tank will clear all the sides when it is placed into the hole.  When your hole is excavated it needs to provide no less than 300mm clearance between the outside of the tank and your hole. There are some council regulations or ground conditions that may require the clearance to be even greater, or, the excavation walls may need to be battered back to ensure the walls do not collapse during the excavation.

When it comes to the depth of the excavation there should be at least 75mm of blue metal or sand spread in the bottom of the hole – this should also be level as it forms the base on which your new in-ground water tank will sit.

How deep the excavation is will also depend not only on the height of the tank but also, it’s design and how far below the surface you want or need the tank to be.

In most cases, in-ground water tanks are delivered to the site on the back of a truck – truck/trailer combo. These trucks can be up to 19 meters long, 2.5 meters wide and can weigh up to ten tonnes. You will also need to take this into account when you are organising your water tanks delivery as there needs to be suitable access to your property for the truck.

If access to your property is via a dirt road if it has been raining heavily prior to delivery will access be affected? Depending on your situation a truck can be reversed down a driveway – if it isn’t too long, but, if the tank needs to be taken down a long road or driveway, there needs to be a suitable turning area that takes into account the length and width of the truck.

You also need to consider the fact that the tank on the back of the truck can be up to 5 meters in height, depending on the tank chosen. Check your road for any power lines and tree branches that may impede access. Allow at least a 5-meter clearance for the tuck and the tank.

Are there any underground septic tanks, or sewers under the access road or turning area that the truck might damage?

 

The Enduring Durability of Our Tanks

Two of the most common water storage methods are (plastic) polyethylene tanks and underground concrete water tanks. So, if you go online and search ‘tanks in Australia’ you’ll get tons of hits. This can be puzzling and overwhelming because you don’t know how to tell which company offers the best quality and service.

Well, when you shop with Sydney Tanks, we offer a few options that other tank suppliers don’t. That’s why our customers trust us. To start with, we’re friendly and open in all our dealings. We don’t have any hidden costs, and we won’t make a single move unless you’re okay with it. In fact, our first step with any client is a free consult.

Free evaluation and quotation

We’ll send our team to your site, so they can discuss your water storage requirements and inspect your property or premises. Once we have a clear on-ground perspective, we’ll tell you what we think works best for you. We’ll give you a detailed breakdown including price and visual layout, and we’ll do it all without any charges. Submit the free site plan to your local council. We’ll wait for their go-ahead – and yours – before we do anything.

Your tank will have an overflow flap and mosquito mesh to prevent animals and dirty water from entering the tank. Our stainless steel pumps are part of the tank package, and we can install a rain switch too. Once programmed, the switch alternates rainwater and municipal water, triggering itself back and forth when the tank level is too low or adequately high.

Some parts of your home or office collect less rainwater than others, due to barriers or varying topography. That’s why the site visit is so important. As part of our evaluation, we will tell you the best location for your tank, and draft a downpipe plan with turrets in various heights. This system will help you collect the maximum amount of rainwater, and we won’t bill you for the site plan – just the installation if you choose to go forward.

Council-approved installations

If you want one, we can add a First Flush system. It keeps the water clean by ensuring the first water off the roof – the one that probably has accumulated dust and twigs – is led away from the tank. First Flush redirects those first 170 litres of initial rainfall. Our tanks are reinforced with steel and come with a 30-year guarantee. It covers replacement and repair within our terms, so you won’t be left hanging if anything goes wrong. In addition to tanks, we also provide stormwater detention tanks, pits, and grates.

Underground storage has to be strong enough to support the weight above it, but light enough not to crush the tank below. We design our in-ground water tanks with solid, reinforced lids that weigh at most 9.5kg and can handle a load of up to 1,500 tonnes. These lids are locked with stainless steel bolts for added safety, and their 600mm fastenings can easily be opened when you need to clean and maintain the tank.

For quality tanks that last for decades, call Sydney Tanks today on 1800 041 111.