Pretty Poly: The Advantages Of Choosing Polyethylene Tanks For Rainwater Harvesting
Installing an efficient rainwater harvesting system on your property can be a great way to reduce the amount of mains water your property draws, helping to save the environment while taking a significant chunk out of your monthly utility bills. However, any rainwater harvesting system is only as effective and durable as the tank used to collect and store the harvested water, so choosing the right tank for your specific needs is very important.
In years gone by, robust and heavy materials such as steel or concrete were considered the gold standard of rainwater tank materials, and many modern rainwater harvesting systems still benefit from these substantial tanks. However, more and more modern rainwater tanks are made from polyethylene, a tough and versatile thermoplastic, and this modern material can provide many benefits over more traditional rainwater tank materials.
What are the benefits of choosing a polyethylene rainwater tank?
Low weight
Even the largest high-capacity rainwater tanks are remarkably light when made from polyethylene, and an empty polyethylene tank can usually be moved into place by hand or with rudimentary lifting equipment (such as manual chain hoists). This makes polyethylene tanks very easy to fit, and dramatically reduces the cost and difficulty of having one transported to your home.
Durability
While polyethylene does not provide the raw durability of steel or concrete, it is still more than durable enough to endure severe inclement weather and the occasional knock or scrape. This gives it an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, an important consideration when it comes to water tank placement.
No ground preparation required
Steel rainwater harvesting tanks require rigid steel rings and high-drainage aggregate to be laid down before they can be securely placed, to prevent the tank toppling over or being damaged by rust caused by groundwater. Concrete tanks require even more ground preparation before they can be installed, usually involving the creation of substantial (and expensive) concrete foundations.
On the other hand, a polyethylene rainwater tank can be placed almost anywhere, as long as the ground is flat and firm enough to prevent the tank from sinking. This makes polyethylene tanks incredibly versatile when it comes to placement, and they are particularly useful for compact homes and gardens where the choice of places to store your tank may be very limited.
Easy to repair
If your polyethylene tank should spring a leak as a result of accidental damage it can easily be repaired, either professionally or, if you possess the requisite experience and tools, by yourself. The tank will not have to be moved during the repair procedure and is generally ready to go back into service as soon as repairs are complete. This places them in stark contrast to concrete and steel tanks, which often have to be removed for repairs or even replaced entirely.
Inexpensive
Despite all of these attractive advantages, polyethylene rainwater tanks are very inexpensive, and generally, inhabit the lowest price points of the rainwater tank market. As such, they are very well suited to low-budget rainwater harvesting systems or high capacity systems which require several tanks to maximise their capacity.
Contact a company that makes water tanks for more information and assistance.