Is there an advantage over a bladder tank verses a non bladder?

Answer 1

A bladder tank typically stores water in a sub-floor area. That means it utilises wasted space and usually the water is in a dark and cool location (relative to an upright external tank). Keeping the water in a dark and cool location is good because heat and light cause algae to grow.

The other really big advantage of bladder tanks is that because they are often in an area under a roof where all of the down pipes can be accessed - you can capture more rainwater from a greater area.

The only real issues with bladder tanks come from inferior products. It is the same issue as with any other product you buy - you get what you pay for.

If you are thinking about buying a bladder tank, the following guidelines may help you make the right decision:

• make sure the bladder tank is accredited for use with drinking water (and not just the manufacturers say-so). All rigid tanks should also be accredited for use with drinking water. It doesn't mean you are going to drink the water, but you need to know that it won't make anyone sick if they are playing on your lawn, or kill your plants or cause any other undesirable outcomes
• stay away from cheap imports and liquidation sales. They go out of business for a reason.
• get a bladder tank with a steel frame and harness to make sure it does not move and that it does not touch any of your building structure (remember that 1,000 litres of water weighs 1 ton!)
• don't take a number of down pipes and try to connect them to a small inlet on a bladder tank. The water will only back up the downpipes and you risk flooding under your eves
• make sure the pipes into and out of the bladder tank are fixed and are under pressure from the filling and emptying of the bladder tank
• make sure it is installed in accordance with the manufacturers instructions
• make sure a fail safe relief point is installed by your plumber

Quality manufacturers should be able to supply you with all of the above. And watch out for web based sellers offering full warranties without a distribution network. And make sure you get a full warranty and not a pro-rata warranty.