A cistern built in the garden

Wonderful water from our own cistern

What can be nicer than when it comes to water consumption, such as B. save on washing, cleaning and watering the garden by using the free rainwater?

• It has even been shown that rainwater is gentle on the washing machines and washes the laundry very cleanly.

• However, a rain bin on the waste pipe of the gutters is not enough, because it starts to smell unpleasant in the summer heat and attracts small animals.

What do you need to consider when building the water catchment basin?

So a cistern has to be found. But they are very expensive in trade. A small cistern of around 1500 l costs between 2000 and 2500 €. Purchased cisterns are usually made of light metal on the outside and plastic on the inside. Anyone who has contacts to industry can possibly get hold of a container that, in a similar size, may only cost € 500 to € 800. If you don't know how to get such a cistern, you can build it yourself. However, you should have good masonry skills to properly wall a cistern and seal it well.

1. The advantage of a brick-built cistern that is compacted with concrete and later sealed with sealing slurry is that the water will later be stored quite cool and that you build the size of the cistern according to your own measurements can.


Create a water tank for rainwater - this is how it works

Using rainwater in the garden and at home is becoming more and more popular. For smaller ...

2. Calculate a hole in the ground of about 1.90 m to 2.40 m for the inlet depth of your cistern. To dig such a large hole in the ground, it would make sense if you rent a small excavator.
3. If you have a finished cistern, build a hole in the ground that is about 10 cm larger than the dimensions of your cistern in order to be able to level the ground with sand.
4. With the sand poured in, you can later compensate for the position of the cistern so that it stands straight.
5. A purchased cistern usually already has the necessary connection openings for the inlet pipe and pump.
6. If you were able to get hold of a replacement container from the industry that is completely closed, you will have to saw out the connection holes for the water pipe and pump with a jigsaw.
7. If you are bricking your cistern yourself, remember that you have to leave out these connection holes when bricking it.
8. You will also need a lid for your masonry cistern. It is best to build it out of concrete, because its own weight ensures that the cistern is properly closed. Seal the support edge well. Ask your specialist retailer for the right material.
9. To make the concrete cover, you need a shape the same diameter as your cistern opening. Pour the concrete into the mold and press two handles into the still uncured concrete. You can use these handles to lift the lid later after it has dried.
10. The connection holes between the cistern, water pipe and pump inlet must be well sealed so that the cistern remains free of dirt. Ask your specialist dealer which material is best suited for this.
11. Put the cistern quite close to the downpipe of your rain gutter because you still have to lay pipes from the downspout to the cistern. It is best to build the pipe course within the earth at a depth of 70 cm to 80 cm.
12. To connect to your gutter, buy a rain catcher and attach it to the gutter as instructed by the dealer.
13. There is a trick to protecting the cistern from dirt from the gutter: build before inserting the A replaceable piece of downpipe and cover it with a Women's tights. Now you have a replaceable filter to keep the cistern clean.
14. Depending on the size of your cistern, it is advisable that you seek advice from a specialist dealer which pump is suitable for your cistern.

In any case, you will be able to enjoy some advantages from your cistern. From the gentle washing machine, to an inexpensive water supply for your garden, to a perhaps beautifully bubbly one fountain. So your work has paid off