Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jan 27, 2009 6:04 pm We are in a rental at the moment, built by the builder we're thinking about going through, and the rain water tank isnt filling like it should from the roof overflow.
i dont know the full story but it sounds like in qld half of the roof drainage goes to stormwater, half goes to the tank when the rain really buckets down water does flow into the tank, a lot more flows over the edge of the roof and out of the water pipe heading down into the ground, but after the weekends downpours we had it should have easily been full ive also been watching closely when its not pouring but raining enough to have a good bit of water heading into the piping, but it fails to go to the tank either wondering why this might be the case? i dont think there's anything else i can look at to check the flow, im going to raise it with the site supervisor if i see him but dont know when this might be Blog - http://snakedr.blogspot.com/ Build Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12084&p=307406#p307406 Status - PCI 15/10. Things nearly done. Re: Rain Water Tank not filling very well 2Jan 27, 2009 7:35 pm billdsl i dont know the full story but it sounds like in qld half of the roof drainage goes to stormwater, half goes to the tank Why dont they divert all the stormwater from the gutters to the water tank with an over flow from the water tank to the storm water drain. This way when your tank is full, the remaining water is send down the drain. I thought this is how it works as it makes sense but I have no experience with Rainwater Tanks and wont need one as we have recycled water in the estate. Re: Rain Water Tank not filling very well 3Jan 27, 2009 7:43 pm good point, it does actually have an overflow from the tank to the storm water so unless because there might be too much volume i dont know, either way with the issue the tank has its not getting to that point at present, all though when we first moved in it did fill and was overflowing like that Blog - http://snakedr.blogspot.com/ Build Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12084&p=307406#p307406 Status - PCI 15/10. Things nearly done. Re: Rain Water Tank not filling very well 5Jan 27, 2009 8:18 pm You may find that the plumbing from the roof to the tank is not handling the volume of water trying to get down the pipe, hence the overflow. Perhaps the builder needs to divert a second downpipe towards the tank as I need to do.
1 metre of 90mm pipe holds 2.8 litres of water, yet 1mm of rain per square metre = 1 litre. So if you have a catchment area of roof of 50m2, 1 pipe will not do it. Adrian B Re: Rain Water Tank not filling very well 6Jan 27, 2009 8:23 pm Generally, it is very difficult and also perhaps not a good idea to harvest 100% of roof area into the RWT (eg gutters near the downpipe leading to the RWT will generally overflow). Is your piping go straight from the gutter to the RWT, or down to the ground first then into the RWT (ie a wet or charged system)? (I imagine that wet/charged system can get blocked quite easily).
Chris Re: Rain Water Tank not filling very well 7Jan 28, 2009 10:05 am hey Chris, all the piping goes into the ground, i believe some of it is then routed to the RWT and some goes directly to stormwater
there are different drain types from the roof guttering to indicate which one's go where i just dont know which is which, some are those external square catchers with mesh, some go directly down from the gutter i think the RWT should maybe have 2 points of entry plumbed rather than the one, but my brothers home doesnt have this issue and his RWT filled in our recent rain, mine got to a 1/4 full so its got some serious issue's i dont know how to check if the plumbing is blocked though, its underground.. Blog - http://snakedr.blogspot.com/ Build Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12084&p=307406#p307406 Status - PCI 15/10. Things nearly done. Re: Rain Water Tank not filling very well 8Jan 28, 2009 12:56 pm Wet/charged systems have U-shaped pipes. Over time, I think that dust/mud will accumulate at the bottom and restrict the flow. To check, I suggest pouring water (gutter end) and see how quickly it comes out (RWT end).
How to overcome this issue? I like to know too because my new home will have a wet system. One idea is to add an inspection point. Chris Re: Rain Water Tank not filling very well 9Jan 28, 2009 1:07 pm well thats the problem, ive been watching the water tank entry point for the water to come through when its been raining (not pouring) and there is no water coming out at all, and its not getting to where the inspection point is, its like its diverting to stormwater if there isnt enough pressure or something
the inspection point is located right near the water tank so you cant check the actual underground part..... think ill just have to get onto the builder and find out whats doing Blog - http://snakedr.blogspot.com/ Build Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12084&p=307406#p307406 Status - PCI 15/10. Things nearly done. That was always going to be a challenge and a test of patience. Full marks to your mate. Did you discuss the wet area near the trampoline? 16 17325 DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair But if it is a ground level open pit, then it is not a charged system. No surprises there. The pipes have obviously been altered and there would be a reason for this.… 3 31268 Can a plumber put a tap on a rain water tank which is full? Tank is similar to one in photo. Cheers. 0 1664 |