What to Expect During Tank Installation
Installing a water tank, whether poly or steel, can seem like a big process. There’s ground preparation, transport, plumbing, fittings, and sometimes site complexity. At Taztanks, we believe the process should be straightforward, transparent and stress‑free. This post walks you through exactly what you should expect when you hire professionals for tank installation, and how you can be ready.
Step 1: Initial Enquiry and Site Visit
As soon as you reach out, we organise a free site visit. This isn’t just lip service, we assess:
Ground level and soil type (will the base hold a full tank safely?)
Access to the site (is there room for delivery trucks, cranes, or do we need a manual carry?)
Where rainwater downpipes are, to minimise plumbing complexity
Proximity to house, utilities, and hazards (bushfire zones, power lines, slopes)
This visit helps us provide an accurate quote and ensures no surprises on install day.
Step 2: Preparing the Base
A proper base is critical, especially for steel tanks. Depending on your site, preparation might include:
Levelling ground and compacting soil
Installing a concrete pad or compacted gravel base
Ensuring drainage and stable foundation, so tank weight (when full) is supported evenly
For poly tanks, bases are simpler, often compacted gravel or sand, but correct levelling is still essential to avoid stresses or deformation.
Step 3: Delivery and Positioning
On delivery day, the tank is transported to your property using the appropriate method: trailer, tilt tray, or crane (for large steel tanks). If access is tight, we coordinate with you to clear paths or adjust layout.
Once on site, the tank is positioned precisely on the prepared base. For large steel tanks, that may involve crane placement and carefully aligning the tank so it sits perfectly level, critical for long-term structural integrity.
Step 4: Fittings and Plumbing Prep
After placement, we attach gutters, inlet pipes, overflow outlets, vents, access hatches and any extra fittings you ordered (first-flush diverters, leaf filters, fire‑fighting outlets).
We also check the connection points:
Downpipe alignment
Overflow outlets to ensure water will divert away from foundations
Venting/air-release to avoid pressure build-up
If you have a plumber ready for internal connections (to toilets, laundry, gardens), we make positioning and fittings easy.
Step 5: Final Inspection and Clean-up
We walk you through the installed tank to confirm:
It’s level and stable
All fittings are secure and flood‑proof
Downpipes, overflow, and vents are correctly positioned
Then we tidy up: remove packaging, ensure the driveway or lawn remains clean, and leave the site as we found it (or better).
What You Should Do to Be Ready
Before the installation day:
Clear any obstacles (trees, cars, sheds, garden beds) along access paths.
Decide where downpipes and outlets will go; ideally, have a plumber or at least a sketch ready.
Have an idea of where you want the tank to sit, and consider access for maintenance and future inspections.
Why Proper Installation Matters
A poorly installed tank can lead to:
Uneven stress on tank walls (risking leaks or failure)
Overflow or drainage issues that damage your home’s foundations
Increased maintenance headaches
Shorter lifespan
Proper base prep, correct fittings and careful installation give you decades of service and let you reap the full benefit of rainwater harvesting.
Installation doesn’t need to be a headache. With a trusted provider, one who does site visits, prepares bases correctly, communicates clearly and cleans up, going from quote to a filled tank can be smooth and worry-free. If you’d like to see what a proper installation looks like, or want to schedule a site visit, just let us know.
