Water supply system of a private house with a storage tank
Every owner of a private house sooner or later thinks about installing an autonomous water supply system. The fact is that for many years most country cottages have not had a centralized water supply system. As a result, homeowners have only two options: install a storage tank or continue to carry water in a bucket.
Of course, the romance of country life has its merits. But the lack of water in the house does not apply to them. This is a huge drawback that spoils all the pleasure of staying in a private house. The installation of a water supply system with a storage tank fundamentally changes the situation.
You braid the house with pipes and get hot water wherever you need it. True, in order for this to become a reality, it is necessary to install a boiler in the water supply system of a private house with a storage tank.
The purpose of the storage tank
This device cannot be called too complicated. Nevertheless, it is indispensable in the water supply system of a private house. As the name implies, a storage tank is used to store water. Imagine a situation that you still have water to the dacha, to your private house. But the supply in such towns is always unstable. This is where the reservoir comes into play.
Important ! The storage tank is able to hold a large amount of water and maintain a stable pressure 24 hours a day.
The very principle of operation of the storage tank in the water supply system of a private house is interesting. You do not need to turn on anything or be afraid that there will be no water in the kitchen due to the fact that the device will take it all. The tank is very well thought out. It stores water little by little, creating a reserve stock for critical situations.
What are the water supply systems of private houses with storage tanks
Tank at the top
In this scheme of water supply of a private house, the storage tank is mounted on the second or third floor. You can also install a tank in the attic. The principle of operation is the same as that of a water tower.
When installing a storage tank at the top in the water supply system of a private house, water will flow through the pipes by gravity. This, in turn, will save you a lot of electricity and save you money on long utility bills.
Important ! This tank is extremely easy to maintain.
Separately, we need to talk about the power of pressure. Despite the fact that the water flows by gravity, the pressure cannot be called particularly strong. More precisely, it directly depends on the height at which the tank is located.
For example, if the tank is located at a height of about 10 meters, the pressure will be 1 atm. For ease of calculation, let's take a three-story house. The height of each floor, let it be, is three meters. When installing a tank on the roof of the third floor, the pressure on the first floor will be exactly one atmosphere.
The main disadvantage of this system is that with each floor the pressure will be lower and lower. And below. As a result, on the second floor it will be about 0.6 atm, and even less on the third. Although if you are going to install taps only on the first one, this is more than enough.
Important ! The tank takes up useful space.
Very often, the attic in the country is used to store things dear to the heart there, which the hand simply does not rise to throw away. In addition, modern technologies make it possible to make an excellent room with all amenities from the attic floor. True, this will require insulation and waterproofing, but the result is worth it.
Advice ! If you have plans for the attic, then don't give up on them for a tank with an overhead position. Just take it outside the house to the flyover.
Bottom location
If you want to make the most of all the space available inside a private house, you will need just such a water supply system. Moreover, even from the outside, the container will not take up an inch of the ground.
Tell me it's impossible? In fact, everything is quite simple. The reservoir is buried in the ground and from here the water supply of a private house is realized. The container does not need to be buried deep. Half a meter will be enough.
On top of the tank, you can safely grow flowers. The water supply system of a private house dug into the ground will not harm them in any way. There is no limit on the capacity of the container. But you must remember that a large volume is collected longer, and accordingly, water intake on especially hot summer days can become critical.
Important ! When choosing a container, you need to take into account the thickness of the water reservoir and its capabilities, as well as the needs of your subsidiary household.
Unfortunately, the lower location of the water supply system of a private house has its drawbacks. The most significant is the need to purchase a pumping station, and this is an additional cost of electricity in the future.
Underground tanks in the water supply systems of private houses are made of special materials that can withstand increased moisture and even freezing. Nevertheless, breakdowns sometimes happen, and then it is extremely difficult to restore the system. After all, the reservoir is buried underground.
Important ! In order for the water tank to serve you for a long time, the soil must be insulated. This will prevent the effect of frost on the structure.
Putting the tank in the ground
The installation of a water supply tank for a private house begins with the selection of a suitable place for installing the product. It is desirable that the design of the container has a round shape. Pay special attention to the stiffening ribs, without them it will not be possible to properly install the device.
If you buy a storage tank of some other shape and without ribs. You will have to take extra care of its correct installation. This will require a concrete shell. It is she who will ensure reliable fixation in the ground.
There should be a special hole in the upper part of the structure. It is best done in the form of a hatch. It is necessary in order to carry out an audit from time to time, viewing the state of the storage tank of the water supply system of a private house from the inside.
Important ! The storage tank must be installed with an inclination of no more than 15 degrees. This will make cleaning much easier, since precipitation will accumulate just under the hatch.
Installing and connecting the storage tank
A float valve must be installed on the inlet pipe of the storage tank for a private house. You also need to think about an overflow pipe in case the float valve breaks. It will insure the system from overflowing with liquid.
Important ! Provided that the water is taken from your own source, by means of a pump, take care of the float switch.
A filter must be installed at the inlet to the storage tank for a private building. They are of three types:
- centrifugal,
- cyclone,
- mesh.
Perhaps the best option for a storage tank in a private house is a strainer. Its price is relatively low, and its efficiency is more than enough to purify not particularly polluted water. The remaining two types are needed when the liquid has a high level of contamination.
It is best to fill the tank through a diffuser. This precaution will prevent sediment from rising and entering the water supply. A pipe cuts into the storage structure from above. It will act as ventilation.
Important ! The opening of the pipe should be directed downwards, while a special mesh must be fixed to prevent debris from entering the system.
The main role in connecting the water supply system of a private house with a storage tank is played by a pump. It is he who is responsible for the delivery of water to the final consumer.
Important ! The suction line must have a non-return valve. It is installed on the pipeline leading to the house.
Of course, when connecting, one cannot do without such important elements of the water supply system of a private house with a storage tank as:
- water level sensor,
- float switch,
- protection relay.
All these elements in the water supply system of a private house must be perfectly combined with each other, and then everything will work perfectly.
The pump is connected to the pipeline by means of a reinforced hose. Most often, the outer diameter of the pipe is 32 mm, but exceptions are possible. The pipeline goes to the reservoir.
In some cases, in private homes, storage tanks are installed between floors. In such cases, you need flooring from strong boards. This will allow you to distribute the load as evenly as possible.
We connect the expansion tank
The expansion tank is slightly different from the storage tank. It is also called a hydraulic accumulator. The role of this device is to compensate for the pressure inside the system.
Important ! A volume change membrane is installed in the tank itself, which ensures the normal operation of the water supply. A similar device is installed in heating systems.
If the expansion tank for the water supply system of a private house is open, it is installed at the very top. The closed type of construction must be installed in front of the circulation pump. This is the most suitable place.
When connected, the coolant is supplied from above. Also, the system must have a pressure gauge and a safety valve. Without this, the heat supply in a private house will not be able to function normally.
Results
It is difficult to overestimate the importance of storage tanks for water supply systems of private houses. They allow you not to depend on the stability of the water supply all year round. In addition, due to the simplicity of the design, they are easy to install.
Expansion tanks for private houses additionally perform the functions of protection against water hammer and are most often used in heating systems. The best solution for a private house is a membrane type device.