Maintenance Measures for Your Rainwater Tank Every Homeowner Should Know
Posted on: 3 November 2017
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As dry conditions spread across Australia, water is steadily becoming a scarce resource for homeowners. Thus, there has been an increase in awareness of the importance of rainwater harvesting to supplement your home's water supply. Nonetheless, engaging in rainwater harvesting is not merely about buying rainwater tanks and using the water you collect as needed. It is crucial to know how best to take care of your tank, as this will influence the quality of water you are using. Tank maintenance is especially critical if you will be utilising the harvested water for cooking, drinking and more. Here are essential maintenance measures that you should perform for your rainwater tank.
Install and maintain a mozzie-mesh
Mozzies have the proclivity of creating breeding grounds wherever they find stagnant water, which makes your rainwater tank a prime habitat for these critters. Without a mozzie-mesh installed, your collected water will eventually become useless, as there will be mosquito larvae floating in the water. Once installed, it is also essential to ensure that the mesh is regularly maintained. Maintenance entails cleaning the mesh of any debris or dead mosquitoes, thus ensuring that your water stays uncontaminated.
Clean your gutters religiously
The maintenance needed for gutters vastly differs once you are using them for rainwater harvesting. Usually, homeowners will have their gutters cleaned out a couple of times during the year just to make sure that precipitation is being redirected away from their property. However, when you need your gutters for rainwater collection, it is prudent to ensure they stay pristine, or the water you harvest will be polluted with organic matter, bird droppings and other forms of debris. Other than having the gutters cleaned professionally on a scheduled basis, it is recommended to install gutter guards which will facilitate the filtration of the rainwater.
Regular servicing of your pumping system
To facilitate the movement of water from the tank to your home or other applications on your property, you will have to install a pump. This mechanical equipment will need regular servicing so that it operates at optimum. To begin with, the different components of the pump would have to be lubricated as necessary to prevent friction. Secondly, it is necessary to have the tank inspected for any faulty components and to have faulty components replaced before they impede its functioning. Lastly, check pipes connected to the pump for leaks to prevent water wastage as well as water pollution.