Homeowners are increasingly using water tanks to capture and store water as clean water becomes scarce.
Many people believe that water tanks should be elevated several feet above the ground. Although this setup might be ideal, it requires investing in steel frames, which is costly for most homeowners. Further, the sight of a home with towering tanks does not appeal to some people.
Instead, modern-day homeowners are getting creative with how they place water tanks in their homes to blend them with their landscape designs. The aim is to store adequate water without compromising the appearance of their home exteriors.
There are two main ways of installing water tanks – above the ground or beneath it. Each method has its benefits and demerits and works well with specific tank varieties-you can see different tank varieties on this link.
If you are concerned about the unsightly appearance of the water tanks you have in your home, here’s how you can blend them into your landscape design:
1. Paint Above-Ground Tanks
For homeowners who place water tanks above the ground, the easiest way of blending them into their landscape design is to paint their exteriors with colors that rhyme with their surroundings. This makes them less visible to anyone in the home.
The beauty of above-ground tanks is that the installation process is quick and easy. Unlike underground tanks, the setup requires minimal digging. Harvesting rainwater is also easier with an above-ground tank. This is because the tank is located close to the runoff gutters. Fewer pipes are required, an aspect that brings installation costs down significantly.
Even so, above-ground tanks are exposed to various harsh elements, including weather and accidents. Homeowners should use sturdy materials like reinforced plastics or concrete to make them durable. Further, the tanks require proper insulation to keep water from freezing or warming up during winter or summer.
Paint protects tanks against corrosion while giving them a beautiful finish. This makes it ideal for homeowners living near deserts or seas.
2. Design the Surface of Underground Tanks
Another way to blend water tanks into your landscape is to design sites that hold underground water tanks to combine with your landscape. Underground tanks are typically put in residences where the owners wish tanks to be hidden. This option works well because it hides the tanks several meters beneath the ground.
Besides wanting the tanks out of their site, some homeowners opt for underground tanks because of space limitations. These tanks can be put near water drains, such as driveways, even though they are underground. The tanks last long because of immense pressure and can be adapted to fit limited space.
The main disadvantage of underground tanks is the high installation cost due to the need to excavate the ground. While the tanks enjoy natural insulation against harsh environments, they’re challenging to inspect to identify problems, and homeowners must install pump systems to deliver water.
Upon completion, underground tank surfaces can be designed well to fit the surroundings. For instance, if you have a concrete landscape design in your home, you may apply the same design to the tank surface.
3. Conceal Above-Ground Tanks
The other way to blend water tanks into your landscape design is to conceal them with materials that make them more attractive. Start by enclosing the tank in a screen or mesh fencing for protection. The fence should be simple and easy to move when accessing the tank.
With the fence in place, use a low-cost material like wood or bamboo to cover it. Choosing a material that rhymes with the surroundings makes it easier to blend the site with your landscape.
Some homeowners use fruit-bearing vines like grapes and tomatoes to cover the tank and make the site more appealing. Alternatively, planting shrubbery on the front side of the tank can go a long way in concealing it. This is especially good for tanks that are under direct sunlight. In this case, opt for plants that withstand sunlight exposure all day.
Final Thoughts
As water becomes increasingly scarce, most homeowners install water tanks to collect and store this precious commodity. Water tanks may be installed above the ground or beneath it. If not taken care of, they can become eyesores in homes with landscaped designs. But this shouldn’t be the case. You can add aesthetic value to your water tank with a bit of creativity if you’re a homeowner. Apply the three strategies discussed above to blend your water tanks with your landscape designs.
