The Difference Between Wet And Dry Water Tank Systems And Which Is Right For You
Collecting rainwater and storing it in a water tank system is a great way to save money and help the environment at the same time. What many people who start looking into getting a water tank system do not know is that there are two different options: wet and dry. While the naming might seem silly as they both deal with water in roughly the same way, there is an important distinction. Before you decide on one or the other, you should consider your own situation and which will look best and be the most efficient for your purposes.
Dry Systems
Dry water tank systems are what you might consider to be the classic method of doing things. All your gutters lead to pipes that lead directly to your water tank with no re-routing or any delays. This means that after the initial downpour, the water empties out into the tank almost instantly and no water is left in the pipes, hence 'dry system'. This system is cheaper to install, easier for families that have their water tank located next to the house and can be put in place very quickly.
Wet Systems
Wet systems are more complicated but much more pleasing to look at. While similar gutters and piping are used on your house, this piping will all go underground and join together underneath the water tank. Then some specialised equipment that pumps the water up into the tank water system, but only if there is enough pressure. If there isn't enough pressure, then the remaining water will stay in the pipes, which is why it is called a 'wet system'. This method is for people who desire a more clean look to their home as the pipes are far more discreet. It is also useful for people whose rainwater tank is not located close to the actual house, but it does cost quite a bit more.
Which Should I Choose? If the aesthetic design of your house is important to you and money is less of a problem, then the answer is simple: a wet water tank system is the way to go. If you don't care about how the piping looks and just want something that works, then a dry system will work perfectly well. It gets more tricky when you don't care about how the piping looks but your water tank is located some distance away from your house. In this instance, it is very hard to direct pipes to the aboveground tank without having tubes laying directly on the garden. Most plumbers would advise that you go with a wet system if your water tank is not quite close to the home, so bear that in mind when choosing your water tank system.