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Locating (3) 1500gal Rainwater Cisterns in Garage

Last Post 18 Jun 2010 12:43 PM by Bigrig. 4 Replies.

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DaveS

New Member

Posts:87

17 Jun 2010 02:39 PM
I am building a GREEN home that will include rainwater harvesting. Our home is under construction as I type this in North Central Florida. Here is my question. We have a high water table (putting the tanks in ground is out of the question), so I would like to store the (3) 1500gal tanks in the garage on a raised platform. The platform keeps the tanks above, leaving us the origanal needed floor space below. My builder has had the structure engineered for the weight of the 4500gal of water tanks filled. There is plenty of room for the tanks, and the structure can support the weight. Condensation may be a concern, but I think we can control that with a giant drip pan/pans under the tanks. Trouble is, I can't find anyone who has done something like this. I would think keeping the tanks under cover, out of the heat of the summer would be better than having the tanks outside exposed to the elements. The cooler tanks may even keep the garage cooler than outside. The garage is, as is the rest of the house, SIPs panel construction. Anyone got any experience with this type of rainwater cistern location? Thanks, DaveS

gregj

Basic Member

Posts:326

17 Jun 2010 03:13 PM
I once looked at an old plantation type house from the 1800s that had a huge steel cistern in the attic that was fed by gutters so it's not a new concept but I doubt you'll find anyone with experience since city water usurped the need for such systems. Maybe that need is coming back but I think you're amongst those leading the way. If you already have it engineered the construction should be easy for a good contractor. If it was me, I'd put the tanks outside and save the expensive inside space for something else.

cmkavala

Veteran Member

Posts:4327
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17 Jun 2010 04:59 PM
Dave; the weight of the water is over 37,000 lbs. plus the weight of the tanks what is going to support the tanks?

Chris Kavala<br>[email protected]<br>1-877-321-SIPS<br />

Alton

Veteran Member

Posts:2164

17 Jun 2010 05:12 PM
Posted By DaveS on 17 Jun 2010 02:39 PM I am building a GREEN home that will include rainwater harvesting. Our home is under construction as I type this in North Central Florida. Here is my question. We have a high water table (putting the tanks in ground is out of the question), so I would like to store the (3) 1500gal tanks in the garage on a raised platform. The platform keeps the tanks above, leaving us the origanal needed floor space below. My builder has had the structure engineered for the weight of the 4500gal of water tanks filled. There is plenty of room for the tanks, and the structure can support the weight. Condensation may be a concern, but I think we can control that with a giant drip pan/pans under the tanks. Trouble is, I can't find anyone who has done something like this. I would think keeping the tanks under cover, out of the heat of the summer would be better than having the tanks outside exposed to the elements. The cooler tanks may even keep the garage cooler than outside. The garage is, as is the rest of the house, SIPs panel construction. Anyone got any experience with this type of rainwater cistern location? Thanks, DaveS Dave, In a high humidity area like North Central Florida, you might want to consider insulating the tanks to prevent condensation instead of using drip pans with drains to the exterior.

Residential Designer & Construction Technology Consultant -- E-mail: Alton at Auburn dot Edu Use email format with @ and period . 334 826-3979

Bigrig

New Member

Posts:92

18 Jun 2010 12:43 PM
I hate to mention this, have you talked to your insurance agent about placing 4500 gallons of water in your house? There is the potential for massive water damage. Not just from the tanks, you will also be routing rainwater piping into your house. A failure of supply, discharge or overflow piping can allow quite a lot of water into your garage. Edit: Just wondering, how are you planning on screening debris from the water? On commercial systems with flat roofs I have seen drains that seperate them by centrifugal action, passing a portion of the water down the storm drain to carry the debris away. One manufacturer was in our office last year during our "Green" Expo showing them off.