Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Dec 30, 2008 1:43 pm Hi guys
Just wondering if anyone knows if it's difficult/costly to have your rain water tank put underground? Basically, dig a whole and bury it?? Would their be special requirements for the type of water tank you can use - for example, would i need a concrete tank to make sure it doesn't corrode? Also, if I wanted to bury it beneath part of the slab (outdoor area) - is this even possible?? With our new home, we're going to have a 10,000L tank and since we're effectively owner-building, i'd really like to not have it sitting in the backyard if it's possible to find another solution! Anyway, any thoughts/experiences/opinions would be great!! Thanks heaps, Adam Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 2Dec 30, 2008 1:47 pm I wanted to do the same with our old house, when we built a deck (was about 1ft off the ground) I wanted to dig out a further 1.5 feet and put a tank/bladder under the deck. I think its a good idea, really hope you can get away with it. Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 3Dec 30, 2008 1:54 pm Concrete tanks can be buried.. Up to a point... Most will have to remain 300mm out of the ground because the "manhole" isn't sealed effectively...
There are a number of tanks that can be fully buried, but they are typically more expensive... There are precast tanks, and onsite tanks... Precast are typically cheaper, with a 31,500 litre being around $4000... The other option is to go complete custom onsite... We were looking at this option and building a tank then using the top as the patio/verandah area... Electrical Engineer... Don't hold that against me... And keen owner builder... Mainly the building part!! Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 4Dec 30, 2008 2:16 pm Thanks for the quick replies!
Our block is on a slight slope, back to front (south to north) so we'll need to do a fair bit of excavation anyway, so thought it might be relatively 'easy' to just dig a hole and either put a tank in or have one 'poured' on site! Then again, I wasn't sure it was quite that simple!! If it was going to be a concrete tank with a reinforced 'lid'...do u think could it be located beneath a concrete slab...? Heard a few different opinions about extra costs - but in the overall scheme of things, we think it's worth doing! Thanks again for the replies! Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 5Dec 30, 2008 5:55 pm You'd have to check with the manufacturer. As I say, some can be fully buried, with lids covered, others have to have lids visible...
There are plenty of various Precast companies up here, just check what is available locally. The best option is to try and incorporate the tank lid into a patio or verandah. That way you can still access the tank to clean it as required down the track... Electrical Engineer... Don't hold that against me... And keen owner builder... Mainly the building part!! Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 6Dec 30, 2008 7:44 pm Our tank is underground - 10650L - $7k in total - tank, installation, excavation. After 4 years - we're in! Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 7Dec 30, 2008 9:04 pm stonecutter1309 Our tank is underground - 10650L - $7k in total - tank, installation, excavation. That doesn't sound too bad at all... Can I ask who you sourced yours through? And also, is it concrete or...? I'm in the ACT...and to be honest, I haven't had much of a chance to look into local suppliers/installers...but for that price it sounds worth it...! Thanks Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 8Dec 30, 2008 9:43 pm We will be building sometime in the new year and have not yet had the in-ground concrete water tank installed.
We are going with ACT Concrete Water Tanks. We were quoted for the 120,000 litre water tank $14,950. This concrete water tank also includes a concrete roof but not onsite costs such as the hole etc. The concrete tank is poured on site. The big hole in the ground is expected to cost $2,500 or there about. ACT Concrete Water Tanks 6236 9947 http://www.actconcretewatertanks.com.au Cheers, Teddy Bär Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 9Dec 31, 2008 7:45 am Teddy, with this tank, what are the restrictions? Is the roof load bearing?
Can it be buried right up to the roof? Electrical Engineer... Don't hold that against me... And keen owner builder... Mainly the building part!! Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 10Dec 31, 2008 8:36 am BuildingACT That doesn't sound too bad at all... Can I ask who you sourced yours through? And also, is it concrete or...? I'm in the ACT...and to be honest, I haven't had much of a chance to look into local suppliers/installers...but for that price it sounds worth it...! Thanks Our builder (Wisdom Homes - metro NSW) is organising it - concrete tank - not sure if it's poured on site or pre-cast. After 4 years - we're in! Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 11Dec 31, 2008 12:32 pm Thanks for the replies guys!
Well, I'm glad that it seems like it can be done - and not necessarily for a fortune! Now I just have to decide where the best place to position it would be.... Are most people who are going for the 'underground' option having them installed under their driveway...or elsewhere? Am I right in my understanding that you still need a manhole or something to provide access should you ever need it...? Thanks again, Adam Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 12Dec 31, 2008 1:22 pm A tank that will go under a load bearing area (like a driveway) is significantly more expensive. We can put turf and plants on ours - but nothing as heavy as a car.
Ours is located out the back yard After 4 years - we're in! Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 13Dec 31, 2008 2:17 pm Shame you don't live in QLD you will have to move
http://www.bbtanks.com.au/ Maybe they know someone in Canberra that does the same. Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 14Jan 01, 2009 3:24 pm If you get a poly tank and plan to burry it, what ever you do don't foget to fill it before you back fill the hole. Have heard of people's tanks resurfacing before! Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 15Jan 01, 2009 3:31 pm waylow If you get a poly tank and plan to burry it, what ever you do don't foget to fill it before you back fill the hole. Have heard of people's tanks resurfacing before! I think at this stage, a concrete tank (under-driveway?) seems like the best way to go!! Hopefully it won't be too difficult on our block, which has a slight upward slope front to back...with the driveway going up and around to the back. Although, it was be pretty impressive to see a concrete tank resurface itself!! Re: Has anyone put their water tank underground?? 16Jan 01, 2009 9:08 pm waylow If you get a poly tank and plan to burry it, what ever you do don't foget to fill it before you back fill the hole. Have heard of people's tanks resurfacing before! Never bury a poly tank! Even with a concrete tank you have to fill it when first installed, otherwise water pressure can "pop" the tank... Electrical Engineer... Don't hold that against me... And keen owner builder... Mainly the building part!! 18 90477 From what I know about water tanks (I've been working with a client on them for a few years now) is this - The concrete can last a lifetime if they don't crack for some… 2 10629 If you can calculate the reasonable charged head from let's say 100mm below the gutter to the top of where the vertical riser's horizontal discharge pipe will be, that… 11 17530 |