Install Your Water Tank This Spring for Optimal Timing

On paper, underground water tank installation isn’t complicated. You dig a hole, put the tank in, cover it up, and you’re done. Concrete tanks are preferred, because they last longer, and when you order them from Sydney Water Tanks, we give you a 30-year guarantee. We reinforce our concrete with steel, and there are no joints between the wall and the floor, making the tanks smoother, more stable, and reducing the risk of cracks and rust.

Our tank installation process begins with a free site evaluation. We’ll send our experts to your property. They’ll inspect your space, help you select an ideal location, guide you in style and sizing, explain the necessary steps, and give you a quotation. This essentially means your installation will require multiple visits, and that’s always easier when the weather is pleasant. This makes spring the ideal season for water tank installation. It’s warm and convenient for working outdoors, and work won’t be interrupted by summer showers.

 

Time factor

We currently have concrete tanks in four sizes ranging from 3,800 litres to 11,500 litres, all underground. We have options capacities beyond 12,000 litres – we’ll install and connect smaller tanks using steel RHS piping. They’re hot dipped and galvanised to prevent rust, and come in sections of nearly 6m. The steel is 4mm thick and measures 20cm by 10cm. The concrete tanks we design have cylindrical shapes and their lids are strengthened with steel, allowing them to support any weight placed above the tank’s surface.

They’re strong enough to sit beneath a parked car, so you can position it beneath the driveway, or even under a pool. Our experts can suggest the ideal location based on soil type, ease of excavation, natural landmarks, municipal restrictions, storm drains, or sewer systems. We pour your concrete tank onsite which means you’ll need two to seven days for your concrete to cure properly. This works better in warm dry, spring weather.

 

Following the rain

Australia exhibits a wide range of climatic conditions, from desert interiors in the outback to snowy mountain caps in Victoria. Most inhabited regions are coastal though, like Darwin, Sydney, and Perth. Tropical areas experience monsoon rains in winter, while beach-adjacent areas have a mostly dry year with showers in February and March. Both extremes are drier and more temperate during spring, making it a suitable time for working outdoors.

Digging and filling holes is back-breaking work, so as much as possible, plan to do it when the weather is more friendly. Also, most springtime activities involve cleaning and pool-building, so the demand for water tank installers is low. You can book early, and our installation team will work at your convenience. Having additional water storage can be useful for the coming summer. You’ll probably have friends and family over, so your water usage is likely to increase, and your tanks will help you lower your utility bills.

To inspect, select, and install the right water tank for your home or office, call Sydney Water Tanks today on 1800 041 111.

BASIX (Building Sustainability Index)

To ensure that new homes are being built to be more energy efficient and water efficient the BASIX – Building Sustainability Index has been put in place. The BASIX sets out clear sustainable housing targets for all new homes built in New South Wales. The aim is to set water reduction targets and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is now a requirement of the New South Wales Government that all new housing developments submit a BASIX certificate. This certificate should be submitted to your local council during the design phase of the development.

This is a simple online tool that can be used by either your builder or yourself. Relevant data about your new unit or house is placed into the tool, and then the BASIX analyses the information to determine how it scores against water and energy targets. The design of your building MUST pass specific targets before a certificate can be issued.

Since this initiative began, the department has been monitoring 100 BASIX compliant homes. Of these houses, when it came to inground water tanks, it was determined that every one of those 100 homes had a water tank. The average size of these water tanks was 4,000 litres, with this water plumbed into the toilet and laundry, and also provided water for the garden.

BASIX is one of the strongest sustainable planning measures to be undertaken in Australia, it aims to deliver effective water and greenhouse gas reductions across the state and is an integrated part of the planning system, and it applies to all residential dwellings.

For the homeowner BASIX reduces water and electricity consumption, providing not only a valuable long-term financial saving for the homeowner it’s also a valuable contribution to the sustainable future of local communities.

BASIX encourages homeowners to reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions by:

  • Hot water systems – reduce the demand for hot water and meet that demand using less greenhouse-gas-intensive heaters.
  • Heating and cooling – reduce demand by using less greenhouse-gas-intensive heating and cooling systems.
  • Ventilation and exhaust – use natural ventilation and reduce the operation of mechanical ventilation
  • Lighting – by using natural lighting and energy-efficient lighting
  • Pools and spas – choosing less greenhouse-gas-intensive water heating and pumping
  • Alternative energy sources – such as wind turbines, cogeneration and photovoltaics.

On July 1, 2017, the energy targets for units and houses increased along with changes to the energy settings for thermal comfort, heating and cooling. Generally, the energy targets for homes and low-rise units has increased by 10 per cent and by 5 per cent for mid and high-rise units. These changes were announced in October 2016 by the Minister for the Environment. This is part of a plan to reduce energy bills faced by homes in New South Wales while ensuring NSW remains a leader in delivering energy efficient housing.

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