Rainwater collection: Tips, recommendations, calculations. How to collect and use rainwater: features and videos of organizing an effective do-it-yourself drainage system Rainwater collection - theory

29.05.2020

Rain is the best source for most types of terrain. Many shipwrecked and forced to survive on the high seas for a long time survived only because collected rain water and dew. So sin is such a wonderful opportunity that nature itself provides us. The main thing is to do it right...

This information will be useful to take into account when calculating the size of the tank, when planning the collection and use of water, at least I would like to hope so. I ( MtnForge, the author of the text - approx. transl.) collected this information from a number of sources and selectively used it to create own water collector.

The key points are an adequate selection of the tank volume and adequate equipment of the system itself collecting rainwater. Actually, it is here that the main difficulties lie.

Collection system

In discussions rain water collection from the roof, an important recommendation is often ignored or missed - use " washer”(The term for the automatic roof washing system. In the future we will adhere to this particular term) and the filter system, since the roof itself accumulates a variety of debris, from bird droppings and leaves to soot and ash from the heating pipe.

« Washer"or float cutter - simply put, a node in rainwater harvesting system from the roof, designed to drain part of the water flowing down the roof at the beginning of the rain, which washes away the accumulated debris. It goes without saying that this part of the water should not enter the pipes and the storage tank. Rainwater is a wonderful solvent as it evaporates, condenses and falls down naturally. So she will wash everything herself, the main thing is to let her do it. The amount of water used to clean the roof can vary depending on the frequency of rainfall, the type of home heating, and so on, but at least about a third of the seasonal rainfall should be categorized as wasted.

The filter is usually two-stage device, consisting of a series of screens installed at an angle to prevent direct passage of debris into the pipes and tank. It works as follows: part of the water intended for flushing garbage effectively does its job, after which the hole for draining it is closed by a float, and the rest of the water enters exclusively into the storage system.

The first stage of the filter is updraft, the second is downdraft, and both are filled with stones, gravel, sand and coal. The design is very simple and can be made of wood, metal or concrete. For the components of the filter system, it is desirable to use food grade steel that does not rust. It is also recommended to use switching valves - "forks" on pipes coming from drains.

Water storage tank

In short, in order to approximately know the potential amount of rain water, multiply the roof area from which water will be collected by the level of precipitation, and then divide by 1.6. The formula was obtained empirically, so it corresponds to reality.

Next, we define need for water each family member for 365 days, in gallons. Consider that for a family of five, you need 5 gallons per day for each, multiply by 365 days, you get 9125 gallons of water. But your needs may be different - whether it's, say, cooking, canning, drinking for pets, sanitary needs, etc.

It is important to remember that you do not get this water in one fell swoop or continuously, so you need to count on days without precipitation, as well as periods of drought, which also helps to correctly determine the minimum required tank volume for rain water collection.

There are different approaches to how large a tank should be based on potential rainfall, but a third of the annual requirement should be considered as a bare minimum, and half a year as a forethought. There is never too much pure drinking water .

In my area, the annual rainfall is 47 inches, subtracting a third for flushing garbage, that's 53,000 gallons of water can be collected from our roof. Tank internal dimensions 6x6x12 feet - volume 2537 gallons. In a typical year, we collect more water than we need, and the consumption rate is ten gallons a day for two. It is also necessary to take into account climatic conditions, for example, if it rains heavily for only one season, then this means that the volume of the tank should also be enough for dry seasons, and so on.

Water supply

Water is needed not only - it must also be somehow supplied to the house for use. And now we are talking about life support equipment, as well as everything that accompanies them during launch, use and maintenance. Work, like time, is a valuable resource, so it makes sense to choose the highest possible tank to simplify the water supply. There are two options - to supply water manually, or to use an electric pump. And it is important to understand that you will either have to make the maximum of your own efforts, or spend precious fuel for the generator to start the electric pump. Because of this, you may end up wasting less water than you should. The line here is very thin, so there is something to think about.

We use the so-called vane pump or vane pump. It is built into our home system water supply, in parallel with a 12-volt pump powered by a stand-alone battery pack. Using a pair of ball valves with check valves and a tank with a pressure membrane, we can choose which of the pumps to start up so that there is water pressure in the pipes. Hand pump can provide a maximum of 37 psi (pounds per square inch) and 6 meters of lift. If our battery assembly is inactive due to a cloudy day or calm (it has solar battery and a windmill), then we have to go to the basement two or three times a day to pump up some water.

The concrete tank itself rain water collection placed on a foundation allowing it to be completely drained for maintenance when rainfall permits. The inlet pipe from the filter terminates in a plug six inches from the bottom, which minimizes bubbling. So the incoming water flow does not disturb deposits (and sooner or later they will accumulate if the entire system is not regularly cleaned and maintained) on the walls and bottom of the tank.

Personally, before starting, we washed the tank from the inside with a strong solution of soda, left it for a day, washed it off with a hose and let it fill up. Soda, being a strong alkali, neutralized the mineral composition of the concrete and improved the taste of the water. I also heard that people fill such tanks, let the water settle, drain and fill again, but for use. Apparently both methods work as they allow the concrete to recover if I understand the chemistry of the process correctly.

Just remember that clean water is the cornerstone of a sustainable human settlement, and providing it in a self-contained environment is harder than it looks.

In the absence of a central water supply, the organization of an autonomous water supply system is the best solution for private houses and summer cottages.

The main water source in this case is any hydraulic structure- well or well.

But in order to save water reserves or with a low flow rate of a water intake point, experts recommend providing Alternative option– a rainwater tank installed on the roof or in a technical room.

What is rainwater used for?

Rainwater is an additional resource that can be obtained with minimal financial costs and physical effort.

The collection of water does not require the use of complex equipment and electricity to supply it from the hydraulic structure to the consumer. All that is needed is to equip reliable containers for collecting and storing liquid.

Rational use of rainwater in country house to cover various household and household needs - the main purpose of the catchment system.

Rainwater collected in a tank can be used for the following purposes:

for agricultural needs. Water is collected and stored in barrels for rapid heating, after which it can be used to irrigate crops and irrigate fields. The collection of rainwater for irrigation ensures the creation of the necessary reserve of liquid during dry periods. As drives, special containers are used - metal or plastic tanks. The liquid is not subject to increased requirements, so no additional filtration and purification is required.
For technical needs. Water after rain is also suitable for technical purposes - cleaning rooms, washing cars, household equipment, paths, facades, for organizing flushing in the bathroom. Higher requirements are imposed on the quality of the liquid - mandatory purification from third-party impurities, pollutants and metal salts.
AT household needs. To use water for domestic purposes - for washing, washing dishes and kitchen appliances, taking a summer shower, as well as conducting bath procedures, it is necessary to additionally clean the liquid with filter units.
in nutritional needs. Without preliminary deep cleaning, rainwater is not used for drinking and cooking. To make water safe, it is recommended to carry out multi-stage filtration, including biological treatment. High demands are placed on the collection, preparation and storage of liquid.

To organize a home collection of rainwater from the roof with your own hands, you will not need permits or compliance with established standards. A simple and reliable water collector can be equipped on an ordinary roof using storage tanks and a pipe system.

Which roof is suitable for the catchment

It is important to understand that not every roof can be used to collect rainwater, since the type of construction and roofing can affect the organoleptic characteristics of the liquid.

Despite their reliability and convenience, flat roofs are rarely used for such purposes for the following reasons: they are not equipped with drainage elements for natural water drainage; liquid can stagnate on the roofing surface, forming puddles and streaks.

In some cases, modern building technologies still allow you to install waste systems and on such types of roofs, when the installation of the insulating material and the waterproofing layer is carried out at an inclination of up to 5 degrees, and special trays are installed in the lower part of the roof that collect water.

Also for drainage elements flat roof include funnels fixed on drainpipes, which are located in internal walls or along the front of the building.

Traditionally, flat roofs are equipped with simple single-level prefabricated devices to quickly drain liquid into a common drainage system.

It is easier and more affordable to organize a catchment area on buildings with roofs with one or two slopes installed at an inclination of 8 to 10 degrees.

The main catchment elements should also not contain hazardous substances; for these purposes, it is better to choose plastic, stainless or clay structures.

Varieties of storage tanks

Underground tanks are additionally equipped with submersible or surface-type pumping equipment for supplying liquid to water intake points. For efficient removal foreign impurities and contaminants, multi-stage systems are used - filters for coarse and fine cleaning, as well as carbon-based devices.

The device of the collection system with a ground storage

To equip such a system for a summer residence or a country house, you will need:

storage plastic tank;
flexible connecting hose;
filter element;
steel or plastic pipes, grooves and trays;
fasteners.

We assemble a home-made drainage system as follows:

The grooves are fixed along the edges of the roof with hooks or brackets.
The angle for the installation of the storage tank is selected. This is where the drainpipe is located.
All elements are connected by a funnel.
The connecting seams are securely sealed with special sealants.

When installing the gutter elements, it is important to ensure a slight slope of 2.5–3 cm towards the downpipe. When assembling the corner pipe to which the storage tank is connected, a filter is installed. The funnel is also equipped with a filter element. Marks are made with a pencil to determine the height of the installation of the drainage pipe, observing the level of the upper part of the tank.

The marked area is carefully cut and removed, and a prefabricated manifold is installed in its place. Next, a hose is connected, one end to the water receiver, the other to the storage tank. To do this, a hole of the appropriate diameter is made under the protective cover of the tank.

The site on which the storage tank is installed is covered with fine gravel, and a brick stand is arranged on top.

Arrangement of an underground system with a reservoir

The organization of an autonomous system for collecting rainwater underground is a technically more complex option that requires careful preparation and certain skills.

To implement it, you will need a plastic or metal tank with a volume of 2 to 3 thousand liters and the choice of a suitable place for installation. When arranging a pit, it is important to take into account the level of groundwater and the depth of soil freezing.

The optimal depth of the pit should be 80 cm higher than the height of the selected tank, since 25 cm will be a waterproofing layer of gravel and sand, 55 cm - a layer of soil on top of the installed tank.

All work is carried out in the following order:

The marking of the site for the arrangement of the pit is in progress. A pit of the appropriate size is dug.
The bottom is covered with gravel and sand, carefully rammed.
A tank is installed in the center of the pit.
Along the perimeter, the storage tank is covered with soil and sand.
Water intake equipment, downpipes and water intake pipes are being installed.
The storage tank is closed with a lid and insulated.

To prevent clogging storage tank garbage, a special filter unit is mounted on the drainpipes, which reliably purifies water from foreign impurities and metal salts. With regular use of the system, the filters are thoroughly cleaned from accumulated contaminants.

After the installation is completed, it is necessary to conduct a test run of the finished system: liquid is poured into the storage tank and pumping equipment is connected. Correct installation systems will provide a fast and unhindered supply of rainwater to the water intake points.

To organize a backup water source for domestic and household needs, you need to know how to collect rainwater in special storage tanks and further equip an autonomous water supply system for country house or cottages.

» article ««. Nowadays, water is gradually becoming more expensive, and if you have a small garden with a vegetable garden at your house, in hot summer water consumption can be considerable. Therefore, at a minimum, rainwater collection is needed for irrigation. In the West, water is even worse, and people, for example, in Belgium, use rainwater for household purposes in the house.

We hope it won’t come to that, but who knows 🙂 Therefore, the collection and use of rainwater is a topic, if not super-relevant, then threatening to become one. So our job is to be ready. And, at least, at least theoretically, determine the main directions for the collection and use of rainwater. And then, by most indicators, rainwater is cleaner than many others.

By the way, in the Crimea, water collection in antiquity was approached monumentally and reasonably - as a result giant water-generating cave complexes have become. But an ordinary landowner does not have such resources, so we will think on a smaller scale 🙂

In general, there are no problems with the use of rainwater. You take it and use it like ordinary water, it would be something to use 🙂 But with the collection here it’s more difficult.

Rainwater Harvesting - Theory

When it rains often, everything is simple - I bought a couple of containers and use it to your health. Problems arise when you need to accumulate large volume water, as it only rains a few times during the summer.

General principle of rainwater harvesting:

Legend:

1 - debris filter,
2 - water supply to the tank and air separation,
3 - float switch of the pump 7,
4 - drainage overflow into the drainage pit 5,
6 - water level meter (optional),
7, 8, 9 - household appliances and pump,
10 - return of "gray" water to the storage tank.

Yes, "gray" water (for example, from under the shower) can be equated to rainwater and reused in the process water supply system. No bathroom or washing machine they won't be harmed at all.

Of course, there are gigantic containers of 10,000 liters (ten m3) and more. But they cost...

It's time to think about homemade drives.

Self-made storage tanks are made, of course, underground. A huge plus of underground tanks is that they do not freeze in winter, so that the accumulated rainwater can be used even in cold weather until it runs out.

The first example is a tank during construction. The best option, because then the tank does not occupy usable land on the site. Let's say you're building a garage. Then in the "basement" of the garage you can make a real huge pool for storing rainwater:

Above is the technical floor with the machine, and below is the water supply. Cement sealing is no longer a problem at all. So, you can use at least good paint, even liquid rubber that is resistant to soil displacement.

If we talk about savings, then if car tires are available to you, it’s better from KAMAZ trucks, then consider the well in your hands. For more details, see the article " Tire Well".

Another option for a home-made storage tank is the same pond, but covered. So, on sale there are special films for ponds. Your task is different in that you need to make the pond deeper, leave room for the roof boards in the ground, and cover the roof with earth (or bags of sawdust if you want to look under the cover).

A more expensive and time consuming option, but much more durable, is to cement the dug hole with a thick layer of reinforced concrete. Here the procedure is simple - formwork, pouring, exposure - and that's it, you can use it. It is worth considering the technological holes in advance, if any, so as not to drill concrete later.

The third, even more expensive, but even faster durable option is concrete rings. There are up to 2 meters in diameter; the lower one is separated from the upper one by a rubber gasket. At the bottom is a concrete lid. If soils allow, you can make at least 20 meters deep.

Another problem with rainwater accumulation is debris clogging drains, gutters and pumps. Garbage is dust, branches, volatile parts of plants such as seeds. Especially "dangerous" are maple seeds (lionfish), which can easily clog the widest spillway.

One way to fight is steel nets. The other is a special grid, like this:

Another difficult moment with the collection of rainwater is the overflow of the tank. Usually weirs are located near places where water flows further on its business without causing trouble. And when water overflows from the tank, it can flow out to the wrong place. Therefore, you can use the following overflow system:

It takes effort to do it, but defense is also important. And you can buy a ready-made valve.

The practice of harvesting and using rainwater.

The easiest way is to put storage barrels under the gutters of the house. The volume of barrels can be whatever you can afford. Practice has shown that four hundred-liter barrels under a roof with an area of approximately 120 m2 are enough for more or less regular rains (Kyiv region).

The system looks something like this (only the pipe enters the tank - the water does not splash):

Water from the barrels is pumped out to irrigate a small garden and vegetable garden with a conventional drainage pump at a minimal cost. One barrel is pumped out - the pump is transferred to the next.

In this case, you can simply increase the volume of stocks - by gradually buying more barrels and connecting them into one communicating vessel.

It is important here that the connecting pipes are thick enough (thicker than 1 inch), otherwise the water simply does not have time to flow from barrel to barrel. Also in the figure, the connection of barrels is on top. It is better to do it on the bottom so that the second barrel has time to fill on a par with the first.

The question of the supply and use of rainwater in the same Belgium is approached much more thoroughly. There, a barrel of at least 10,000 liters is buried in the ground. All rainwater from the entire site is diverted into it with special gutters. The container is placed submersible pump. At the outlet, a mechanical water filter and a filter with special activated carbon are installed. Water is pumped for irrigation and for the house. When there are water shortages or you simply cut off the city water supply, the pump in the tank automatically becomes the main water supply.

Why an activated carbon filter? The water in the tank is stored for quite a long time, and sometimes it has time to “play” a little - bacteria appear in it, giving a certain smell and taste. Activated charcoal is designed to protect against these odors and tastes.

The following video shows another practical experience of rainwater accumulation:

Thus, rainwater can be both accumulated and used.

There would be a desire 🙂

Write your ways and nuances!

The comfort of country life largely depends on communications, including an autonomous water supply system. Usually, water intake comes from a well or a well located on the territory of a suburban area, but sometimes this water is not enough, and additional, backup sources have to be found. One of them is the collection of rainwater from the roof of a house, bathhouse or utility room.

Benefits of using rainwater

If a country house is a permanent place of residence of a person, then about 130-160 liters of clean water are needed every day to serve his needs. A large number of liquid goes to watering flower beds, beds, lawns. It becomes clear why rainwater will never be superfluous.

Let's remember summer showers in the country. AT large capacity raised above the ground, water accumulates. Under the sun, it heats up and becomes comfortable for use on a hot day. If you slightly modify the primitive water supply system, you can get security water resources not only the soul, but the whole country house.

Rainwater collection systems: 1 - water level sensor; 2 - float filter; 3 - water level control; 4 - centrifugal pump; 5 - container made of polyethylene; 6 - siphon; 7 - filter

Is water collected after rain good for washing or even taking a shower? Undoubtedly! In my own way chemical composition it is much softer and safer than urban tap water. A sufficient amount of oxygen in the composition makes it ideal for watering plants. Only in one case can precipitation be harmful - if there is a nearby industrial enterprise or a big city.

Attention! Water collected after rain cannot be used for drinking or cooking. It is suitable only for technical needs - washing, cleaning, watering, washing the car. Or it needs to be passed through a serious cleaning system.

One of the advantages of rain collection is that it requires almost no investment: you only need to invest once in installing a tank and laying pipes. The only negative is the dependence on the amount of precipitation. In a dry summer, you do not have to rely on an additional source.

When installing a storage tank, do not forget about insurance against excess water. In the upper part of the tank, a branch is made leading to the sewer, through which the excess flows

Choosing the right roof for the system

Not every building or house is suitable for collecting water, as the roof configuration and material roofing affect the quality of the fluid. flat roofs It is recommended to exclude immediately for two reasons:

rainwater runoff is devoid of natural drainage;

water stagnates on the surface of the roof in the form of puddles, which are a breeding ground for bacteria.

Any sloping roof can be equipped with a water collection system using a structure assembled from gutters, downpipes, connectors and fasteners

Thus, a rainwater harvesting system is installed on buildings that have a shed or gable roof with some slope best option– from 10° and more. On a steep roof, water flows much faster, therefore, it does not have time to get dirty.

Attention! Some roofing materials contain substances harmful to human health - copper, lead, asbestos. Do not collect water from roofs covered with asbestos slates or copper tiles. Gutters and drains containing copper or lead are also excluded.

Modern modular plastic gutter structures are absolutely safe, besides, they not only serve to collect water, but also are decorative element building

Clay tiles, galvanized metal and modified plastic, from which modern gutter structures are made, will keep rainwater clean. Relatively safe and bituminous coatings.

Installing a water collection system

In order for water from the roof to get into the pipes, and from them to the points of analysis in the house and outside it, it is necessary to think over a system that provides for initial accumulation and subsequent wiring. The main components of the system are storage and water supply.

Storage tank installation

A water collection tank is needed to maintain the correct level of liquid in the system. As a rainwater storage tank, you can use any tank made of safe material: concrete, polyethylene, galvanized steel. The main property of the material for the production of the drive is stability, it should not dissolve in water and change its chemical composition.

Installing a storage tank on the ground near the house has two advantages: you do not need to dig a special pit and you can use water for irrigation without using a pump

A tank for collecting rainwater, installed in the ground, - the best way from an aesthetic point of view. In addition, the water in the cold earth will never "bloom"

There are several ways to mount the storage tank:

install directly under downpipes on the surface of the earth;
bury in the ground near the house;
place in the basement or utility room.

The preferred option is to place the tank in the ground, as the coolness prevents the development of microorganisms. But two points must be taken into account: the level of soil freezing and the level of location ground water. If all conditions are satisfactory, it is necessary to choose a container. It is better to stop at a large volume (2-3 thousand liters), so that there is always a supply.

The drive is installed according to the following algorithm:

We dig out the pit. Its dimensions should be slightly larger than the dimensions of the drive.
At the bottom of the pit we arrange a sand cushion 20 cm thick.
Lower the water tank.
We fill the voids on all sides of the container with sand.
Install pipes and pump.
We close the neck of the tank with a lid.

When the cold comes, you should take care of the safety of the system until the next season. The pump should be removed, cleaned and stored in a warm room, and the container lid should be tightly sealed and covered with a thick layer of sand on top, thereby protecting it from freezing.

Instead of one large reservoir, several containers can be placed in the ground, connected by pipes. Having thought over the water filtration system, it is possible to arrange additional purification

Water supply device

In order for water to get from the drain into the tank, and from it into the house, it is necessary to lay a pipeline. Standard PVC products for outdoor installation are excellent. From the roof, water enters the reservoir naturally, since it is lower, but the supply to the house is carried out forcibly, that is, with the help of a pump. If a centrifugal pump is used, then its installation location should be near the storage tank - as low as possible.

Household sample centrifugal pump- FORWARD FWP-550J. Immersion depth - 8 meters, power - 550 W, throughput - 2.4 cubic meters / hour, maximum head - 40 meters. Price - 1800-1900 rubles

Submersible pump small size will also fit.

Attention! Installing the pump on the surface of the water ensures its purity, as sediment accumulates at the bottom of the tank over time.

Proper maintenance of equipment

In order to use rainwater in the home, it must be at least clean, so infrequent but mandatory supervision of the system is required. For example, you should protect against debris and dust that accumulate on the roof, rainwater that enters storage capacity. The first rain after a long drought serves as a kind of "wash" for the roof and gutters. Dirt, along with the first streams of water, rushes from the roof into the gutters and pipes, so the water inlet leading to the tank just needs to be disconnected for a while. After about an hour, clean water will flow - the pipe can be returned to its place.

Many modern gutter structures are initially equipped with devices for retaining large debris: fine-mesh nets that are located along the gutters and at the junctions with pipes

Also, to purify water from large debris and leaves, coarse filters in the form of gratings and mesh baskets are installed throughout the system. Filters need to be cleaned as they become clogged.

By installing a rainwater collection system in a country house, you will receive an additional source of water, and this is another step towards a comfortable life.

It will take only one weekend to create your own rainwater harvesting system. You can use the water collected from the roof for watering the garden and garden, washing the car, outdoor shower in the country, washing and other needs. Remember that it is teeming with bacteria: it is unsuitable for drinking or cooking. Such rainwater supply will always be specialized, and collecting water from the roof will not replace a well and plumbing.

Training:

Before you go to the hardware store, you need to make small but important calculations. Therefore, to begin with, we will determine the material from which the roof of your country house is made, the amount of moisture that will flow down the roof, the volume that needs to be collected based on calculations of daily consumption and annual precipitation.

Roofs covered with tar, gravel, asbestos or any other toxic coating are not suitable. Such a coating will leave unwanted chemicals in the collected water. Suitable safety cover: tiles, metal, etc.
Measure the perimeter of the roof, then calculate the area, excluding slopes and cornices. Useful area will be at least 80% of the total area. This parameter depends on the surface of the roof. To calculate the approximate volume of collected fluid per year using this method, we use the following formula:

V=(S*A*k)/1000 liters, where:

V - volume of collected water
S- total area roofs in m2
A - annual precipitation in mm
k – water collection efficiency coefficient, k=0.8

The size of the rainwater collection tank is selected based on the volume of water consumed daily by all residents of the house. General formula: consumption per person per day & 規 number of people & 規 number of days = required volume.

Another parameter is the duration of the rainy season: it can be one near Moscow, another in Siberia, and a third in Primorye. Divide the time of the rainy season into months, write down the average monthly rainfall, subtract the amount of water you need per month. As a result, we get the amount of unused liquid that can be transferred to the next month.

And remember: if you collect rainwater from the roof into a round tank, its volume is calculated by the formula: surface area & 規 height of the tank.

Purchase of materials

Rainwater tank: free of charge. (You can use the old one or look around).
Polypropylene drum with lid - $0.35- $1.00/gallon (Very light, unlike others)
Metal barrel - $0.40 - $0.60/gallon (You cannot use this storage tank to collect and store drinking water unless it has a special gasket).
Gutters - $0.30 per - 30.5 cm; alternatively, drains can be made by yourself.
Pipes leading to and from the water collection tank: approximately $10 per 3 meters (Pipe diameter depends on the size of the water collection area)
PVC Elbows - $2 each
Cement - $5.
Materials for a flat and stable surface: special underlay / mattress - $ 6.
Fencing for the tank around the entire perimeter - $10.
Walkway cover - $20.
1 bag of Portland cement - $30.
The rain container can be firmly installed by digging a few centimeters deep in the ground underneath. True, this is not suitable for all types of soil.

Note: In order to protect gutters, it is necessary to install leaf filters, filter nets or funnels.

Installation

1. The opening of the tank should be located a few centimeters below the drain funnel.

2. It is desirable that the reservoir has an aesthetic appearance and is camouflaged between trees.

3. The tank must be on a flat, stable surface (on a substrate/mattress). Make a small fence around the tank. Fill the fenced area with a special road surface - it is cheap and compact. Then lay down a small layer of Portland cement. Loosen, check with a level that the surface is even, fill with water. Let dry.

4. When attaching gutters, remember:

Measure the length of the eaves in order to determine the length of the drains.
Drainpipes must be fixed at intervals of 10-15 m along the entire length of the main gutter.
Count the number of drains - double the number to get the required number of knees. Count the number of turns at 900 and 450 to get the required number of knees of the desired shape.
Calculate the required number of fasteners, flexible clamps and plugs.
Brackets should be placed on the eaves at intervals of 9 m or on each head of the rafter.
Gutters are recommended to be placed at an inclination of 0.6 - 1.2 cm towards the downpipe every 3 m. To do this, measure the perimeter of the house.

To keep gutters from clogging, install filters to collect leaves and clean sediment from debris: flat filter meshes or funnels. Leaf nets are usually installed at the beginning of the gutters, and filter nets and funnels are installed at the point where the liquid passes into the downpipes.

General rules: 15m2 of collecting roof surface = 7.5 cm downpipe for every 15m of downspout length connected to a 10 cm PVC pipe that carries water into the tank.

5. For smaller surfaces, a downpipe with a maximum diameter of 5cm for every 12m length of the gutter connected to a PVC pipe with a diameter of 7.5cm.

6. When joining PVC pipes with cement, rotate them a quarter of a turn back and forth so that the bonding element is evenly distributed. If small balls formed around the pipe, then you did everything right - the pipes will not flow. Also, do not forget to leave not very large reserves of length when cutting pipes - about 7.5 cm (for connections).

7. Install the tank at the highest point as the water pressure is 453g/2.54cm2 for every 70cm of height.