Frequently Asked Questions

Here you'll find answers to most of the common questions people have about our rainwater harvesting systems. If your question isn't answered, please feel free to contact us, our team is always happy to help!

Why is the tank in low level?
Lack of rain will cause the tank to go in to low level

The system says the filter is blocked, I’ve cleaned the backwash filter but it’s not fixed it
There are multiple filters throughout the system and this usually refers to the floating suction filter inside the underground storage tank. Resetting the system usually resolves this.

How do I reset the system? 
Most systems pressing a and + together will reset the system

We do not offer an emergency call-out service. If they have a major problem we can try and help by getting an engineer to call someone on-site, but they need to provide a name and phone number for someone who can be stood in front of the system (not someone from an FM company in a different office somewhere).

Our lead time is approx. 4-6 weeks from when an order is received for all visits. We will always try and get there sooner in an emergency, but cannot guarantee same-day/next-day visits (like everyone expects).

Can I use rainwater on my garden? Yes the rainwater is soft water and free from detergents, it's great for using on your garden and for other outdoor uses including washing cars, jet washing patios etc. It is always recommended to fit a locking tap and labels to prevent accidental ingestion or cross contamination of water supplies.

Is the Water clean? The main aim of any rainwater harvesting system is to produce non-potable water that is clean, clear and odourless. Two or three stages of filtration take place to ensure the water is clean and clear prior to it reaching any non-potable appliance, depending on your specification

If you have dirty water it is unlikely to be the system not operating correctly and is more likely to be dirty filters, dirt in the tank, or dirty water entering the system by accident from another source.

Contact our Rainmaintain team on 01636 815254 and they can help you figure out how to fix it!

 

Can I drink the water? Stormsaver do not recommend rainwater be used for drinking. From a health viewpoint it is not worth the risk of drinking untreated rainwater. Also the additional cost of installing equipment and maintaining and testing filtration and disinfection required to achieve Drinking Water standards is not economically viable. There are lots of Non-drinking applications where filtered rainwater can be used and achieve the same percentage of overall system efficiency over an annual period. See how it works.

Here are a few of the non-drinking applications that you can use your recycled rainwater for:

  • Gardening
  • Flushing Toilets
  • Washing clothes 
  • Car washing

 

What is the burial depth of a Stormsaver tank? The depth on-site can be variable depending upon the depth of the drainage on site. A standard tank can be installed with up to 2.0m of cover. Tanks installed below this depth will require a heavy-duty tank or super heavy-duty depending upon depth and the height of the water table. Check out our rainwater harvesting products.

 

 

Where does the tank have to be positioned? There are no Building Regulations concerning the position of a Stormsaver system, however, good practice would state that the tank must be positioned at least 5m away from a building. Please notify Stormsaver (01636 815254) of the length of pipe run from the system controls to enable us to provide the correct size of pumps to achieve the desired flow rates taking into account pipe sizing. Check out our rainwater harvesting products.

 

 

Can the tank be buried lower than the water table? Yes, Stormsaver tanks can be buried below the water table – allowance is required for de-watering the excavation during installation and details of this are supplied with the system or from our technical team 01636 815254. Check out our rainwater harvesting products.

 

 

Do I need to disinfect the water? Stormsaver recommends that you carry out a risk assessment for each site and application. Certain applications may increase the likelihood of accidental ingestion or breathing in the vapour from the rainwater as an aerosol - e.g. created by spraying water such in a vehicle wash, wash down facilities, spray irrigation. Other installations where disinfection should be considered due to there being young, elderly or those with low immune systems this may include schools, hospitals, health centres, care-homes, or HM Prisons.

 

 

Do I need to filter the water before the tank? Yes, it is a requirement of BS EN 16941-1:2018 to filter the water prior to storage. This first stage of filtration is critical to assist with water quality. Why choose us?

 

 

Does the tank need to be encased in concrete? Stormsaver standard tank range should be encased in concrete. Stormsaver does offer a range of larger tanks suitable for installation in pea gravel however the installation is more involved due to surface loadings and the height of the local water table, allowance for surface water within the ground etc. This makes this option economically viable for larger tanks – smaller tanks may be better installed by concrete surround – ask our technical team 01636 815254

 

How often should the tanks be cleaned? Approx. every two years depending on the site i.e if there is a living/green roof this may be required more often.

 

When do I clean the filters? The system has a visual alarm on the panel to advise you to clean the filters. If you upgrade the Stormsaver system the filters in the building can even backwash these filters for you to minimize maintenance requirements and provide peace of mind. If the visible alarm isn’t enough, the system is easily connected to the BMS. Tank Cleaning

 

How often should the system be serviced? Is it recommended that the systems are serviced every 6 months. 

 

How do I know what maintenance is needed? Stormsaver provides a complete Operations and Maintenance manual including any site-specific drawings of equipment fitted at the specific site. The manual provides a breakdown of maintenance, which can be carried out either with your own maintenance team, or we can take out the hassle for you and maintain the system with our range of maintenance packages based on 1-5 year contracts. Why? Ask our service team on 01636 815254.

 

 

Can Stormsaver maintain the system? For peace of mind, Stormsaver can take out the hassle of maintenance with our range of maintenance packages based on 1-5 year contracts. Maintenance Packages 

Ask our Rain Maintain team on 01636 815254.

 

 

Will I have problems with limescale? Rainwater is free from detergents and is soft water (ie no limescale), along with other applications this makes it ideal for use in washing machines, on the garden and when washing the car you will not get the smears left by scale from mains water! Tank Cleaning

 

Why is the tank in low level? Lack of rain will cause the tank to go into low level.

 

How do I reset the system? Most systems pressing a and + together will reset the system.

 

How often does the UV bulb need to be changed? Every 12 months.

 

Do I need to insulate internal pipework? Yes, internal pipework within the building should be insulated, any pipework installed externally if above ground should be isolated or trace heated to prevent freezing or warming.

 

 

What pipework should be used inside the building? It is recommended that when piping up the rainwater system that a different pipework material is used on the rainwater pipework to the mainswater pipework, this is to avoid accidental cross-connection of the two supplies at a later date. Stormsaver can provide WRAS approved pipework identification tape to apply to pipework to avoid any confusion of the contents and it is a requirement that this is used.

 

 

What type of pipework should be used underground? All rainwater harvesting supply pipework should be in WRAS approved black and green or clearly identified with black and green tape. Under no circumstances should pipework from the tank be run in blue.

 

Do I have to have a header tank? A header tank is one option for the installation of the Stormsaver system, however not all buildings can fit a header tank in which case Stormsaver can supply a Combi unit or a direct pressurised system depending on the water demand of the building and site requirements. Our sales team can help you choose which type of system is best to call them on 01636 815254. Installation

 

Can I have more than one header tank? Yes, with a Stormsaver system a range of individual tanks can be installed around the building – up to seven in total with a standard d unit. Should more be required Stormsaver can supply a bespoke package for additional tanks.

 

Can the header tank be fitted on the ground floor? A header tank can be fitted anywhere in the building. If it on the ground floor or basement level a booster pump can be used to distribute the water to points of use – rather than the use of gravity direct from the tank.

 

Can the header tank be fitted on the roof?  A header tank can be fitted on the roof of a building – if this is the case we would recommend increasing the insulation from the standard 25mm up to 50mm to prevent freezing or warming. Any pipeworks to the tank also require insulation and or trace heating. Check out our rainwater harvesting products.

 

Stormsaver offers a 1 year warranty from date of commissioning all component parts ordered –  As a responsible manufacturer Stormsaver is on-hand to provide continued assistance and technical support throughout the installation and commissioning process…. And it doesn’t stop there ask about our service and maintenance packages - 01636 815254.

 

We would recommend that you use a specialist such as Stormsaver if you are looking for a combined rainwater/ greywater system. It can be done but the system design must be carefully put together by experts.

 

Stormsaver can supply a range of monitoring packages from simple metering through to integrated display screens providing live data on system operations – all options can be linked to your BMS will the intelligent Stormsaver control system. Stormsaver will monitor the water demand for you during our maintenance contracts!

Tanks are sized on a two week demand period, which according to the MET office is the average period the UK experiences without rainfall. If the site is to be assessed by BREAAM an assessment method is used following the recommended requirements. Free assessments are available through the Stormsaver estimating department, or by downloading an assessment form. It is essential to have details of the site location, roof area, proposed applications, number of appliances and number of people within the building. Check out our rainwater harvesting products.

 

The water pressure delivered into the building is normally between 3.5 -4.5 bar, however, this is dependent upon the length of pipe-run, size of pipework, height in metres from the pump to the building – if larger or smaller flows and pressures are required we can supply pumps to suit the location to ensure you have the correct flow rates and pressures required. Ask our technical team on 01636 815254 and we can help you through this process to ensure you have the correct equipment. Check out our rainwater harvesting products.

 

In order to obtain the most efficient system, it is important to understand the length of pipe-run, size of pipework, height in metres from the pump to the points of use to correctly size equipment to the correct flow rates and pressures required. Ask our technical team on 01636 815254 and we can help you through this process to ensure you have the correct equipment

 

In a Non-pressurized header tank system mains water back up is fed directly into the break tank. For a Pressurised system the mains back-up is fed into the underground storage tank. The combi unit has a mains water top-up directly into the unit – in all cases, this connection is made via a WRAS approved Regulation approved airbrake. For help choosing which type of system is best for your site to ask our estimating team on 01636 815254.

 

Once the system is installed Stormsaver carry out the commissioning of the system to ensure trouble free operation. We use only use our own engineers giving you peace of mind that you always have a specialist to hand. Maintenance Packages

 

Stormsaver is manufacturers of Rainwater Harvesting Systems, the installation should be carried out by your own contractors. Stormsaver provides a free site visit to advise on the installation taking into account any site-specific requirements. Once the system is installed Stormsaver complete the commissioning of the system to ensure trouble-free operation. Our technical team are always on hand to offer assistance 01636 815254.

 

Yes, the Stormsaver system is ideal for this, as all roof water can be directed to one outlet which is connected to the Stormsaver tank, therefore reducing additional pipework and groundwork costs. How it works. It is important to understand the large flow rates and velocity of the water in a syphonic system and a vented siphon break is required prior to the filtration unit and storage tank ask our technical team on 01636 815254

 

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