We are all fond of the thought of getting free water out of the air. And it is just so gratifying to hear the rain beat the roof and know that it is filling up your tank, and you can wash the car or water the veggies or flush the toilets and not add a penny to your water bill. However, here is the point that most new owners do not understand until later on: a rainwater tank is not a "set and forget" kind of appliance. It is more like a car or a pool—it requires a bit of care to continue running well. After five years of neglect, the water may smell somewhat like a swamp, or the pump may purr but not actually pump.

The good news? The service is not complicated, and it does not consume a lot of time. The most common maintenance of your system in the normal home setup is not heavy work but rather quick, frequent checks

Roof and Gutter Cleaning: Protecting Your Catchment

The most significant stage of your tank maintenance, however, does not occur at your tank, but on your roof. Your roof is the catchment place, and anything falling on it will eventually seek to find its way into your water supply. When your gutters are full of decaying leaves, bird droppings, and twigs, that "tea" will go right down the tank inlet. Whereas the big stuff is taken in by the filters, the dissolved nutrients of the debris can be used by algae and bacteria within the tank.

Actionable Steps for Gutters

• Clean gutters every 3 to 6 months. You may have to do this more frequently, especially if there are large gum trees or hanging branches.
• Install gutter guards if you haven't already. They are not flawless, however, they significantly decrease the concentration of organic matter lying in the channels.
• Test your first flush diverter. This is that vertical pipe commonly fitted in advance of the tank inlet. It collects the dirty water of the initial wash of the roof. It contains a slow-release valve that must be emptied now and then to ensure that it does not get clogged and cease operation.

Inlet Screen Maintenance: Keeping Mosquitoes Out

When the water reaches the tank it is filtered by a basket or inlet screen. This is the bouncer of your tank—it keeps the leaves, frogs, and mosquitoes out. The greatest nuisance here is the mosquito. They are fond of stagnant, cool water, and when there is the smallest opening in the mesh, or a seal that has perished, they will discover it. The very last thing you want is a tank of wrigglers.

Mosquito Proofing Checklist

• Check the inlet screen every two months. Blow away any muck or leaves.
• Check the mesh for holes. Mosquitoes can enter the building should there be sunlight peeking through a tear.
• Look at the overflow pipe. It must possess a mesh flap, or screen, on the end to prevent pests crawling up the pipe and into the tank from the wrong end.

Removing Tank Sludge and Professional Inspections

Even with the finest of filters, fine sediment will eventually settle at the bottom of your tank in time. This layer of sludge is composed of dust, pollen, and decomposing organic matter. When taken in small doses, it is inoffensive and simply sits at the bottom. However, when excessively accumulated it may get sucked into your pump or begin to influence the water quality, turning it discolored or odorous. The first few years you do not have to panic about this. Nevertheless, every 2 to 3 years, one should have a closer look.

This is where you may have to hire experts. Cleaning a tank yourself may prove hazardous since there are confined space hazards. Professional water tank inspectors will make sure the sludge level in your tank is measured right and cleared in a safe manner that will not waste all your water storage. Experts are capable of vacuuming the tank floor without disturbing the clean water on top.

Rainwater Pump Maintenance and Leak Detection

Your system relies on the pump, and it is normally the costliest part to change. When your tank dries the consequences are a few of the pumps burning out in an attempt to draw in water that is not present. However, when there is a leak in your system then the pump may constantly switch on and off (you may hear it clicking every few minutes), wearing out the pump prematurely.

Troubleshooting Your Pump

• Listen to it. Is it crunching or cracking? It shouldn't be.
• Check for leaks. Search around the connections in wet areas.
• Protect it. Make sure that the pump cover is actually covering the pump. The electrical seals are vulnerable to destruction by the sun and rain.

Tips for Using Tank Water and Preventing Stagnation

The simplest solution to fresh tank water is to use it. Stagnant water is subjected to more quality problems than water that is cyclically pumped and refilled with fresh rain. At a normal house, you will probably be irrigating with this water in the garden, washing the car, or flushing toilets. You can be even more creative in case you have a bigger property or a more elaborate setup in the backyard. An example is that some residents have their rainwater harvested to fill up concrete plunge pools and various other water features, so that they are not so dependent on the mains supply. You should only bear in mind that when you use tank water in the pool, you will have to re-treat the pool chemicals, as rainwater is naturally mildly acidic.

Tank Installation and Access for New Builds

If you are reading this because you are going to install a tank, consider how it is going to be maintained before you do it. The first misjudgment is to blindly squeeze a tank into a small space where you fail to access the inlet screen to clean it. Space is a valuable aspect that is limited in an urban area or an addition of secondary dwellings. When extending property, an expert home builder will understand how to locate a slender tank to fit local council standards (such as BASIX, in Australia) and yet remain easily reachable for the quarterly check. Unless it is possible to climb to the top of the tank safely, you just will not clean it, and therefore easy access is essential.

Summary: Your Rainwater Tank Maintenance Schedule

There is no need to treat a rainwater tank as an activity that consumes your weekends. It only involves ensuring that the system is kept clean in order to maintain fresh water.

Quick Recap

• Every 3 months: Clean your gutters and make sure the inlet screens are fine.
• Every 6 months: Inspect the pump—look for leakages.
• Every 2–3 years: Check regulators and think about a professional inspection. Take care of your tank and it will provide you with several years of free and high-quality water for your home and garden.