Rainwater tank maintenance, filters and pump repairs
A rainwater tank saves mains water for toilets, the laundry and the garden, but only while it's looked after. Most tanks we see across Matraville, Maroubra, Botany and the southern Eastern Suburbs have never been cleaned out. Sludge builds up in the bottom, gets drawn into the pump, and turns into a blocked pump, low pressure and brown-stained toilet bowls. We clean out the problem, fix or replace the pump, and fit the filters and screens that stop it coming back.
Problems we fix
Sludge in the bottom of the tank
Leaves, dust, bird droppings and roof grit wash in with every storm and settle on the floor of the tank. Over a few years it becomes a thick layer of sludge that the pump draws straight up.
Pump blocked or failing
Grit and sludge wear the pump's impeller and seals, block the intake and jam the pressure switch. The pump may run on and off, run without stopping, or stop altogether.
Stained toilet bowls
Brown, orange or black rings in the toilet bowl and cistern are a common sign that dirty tank water is reaching the house. Scrubbing won't fix it for long; the water needs to be cleaner.
Dirty water in the laundry
If the washing machine runs on tank water, sediment can mark light-coloured clothes and clog the machine's inlet screens.
Smelly water
Rotting leaves and sludge can make tank water smell, especially after a warm spell. It's a sign the tank needs cleaning and the inlet needs better screening.
Mains switch not changing over
Many homes have a device that switches toilets and the laundry to mains water when the tank runs low. When it sticks, you can end up with no water to the toilets.
How we fix it
We start by checking the whole system, from the gutters and downpipes to the tank, pump and the pipes into the house. Then you get clear options and a fixed price before any work starts. Depending on what we find, that can include:
- Cleaning out the sludge: removing the built-up sediment from the bottom of the tank so the pump isn't drawing it up.
- A filter after the pump: an inline sediment filter catches fine grit before it reaches the toilets and the washing machine. It's the single most effective fix for stained bowls.
- A floating intake: instead of drawing water from near the floor of the tank, a floating suction line takes water from just below the surface, where it's cleanest.
- Leaf screens and a first flush diverter: a rain head or leaf screen on the downpipe keeps leaves out, and a first flush diverter sends the dirtiest water from the start of each storm away from the tank.
- Insect-proof screens: fine mesh on the inlet and overflow keeps mosquitoes out.
- Pump repair or replacement: new seals, pressure switch or controller where the pump is worth fixing, or a new pump where it isn't.
- Mains changeover device: servicing or replacing the switch that keeps toilets running when the tank is empty.
Rainwater tanks in Eastern Suburbs homes
Many local homes built or rebuilt since the mid-2000s have a rainwater tank connected to the toilets, laundry and garden taps, often a slimline tank down the side path or a tank tucked under a deck. Because they sit out of sight, they're easy to forget. We regularly find tanks in Pagewood, Eastgardens and Little Bay that have been running for ten years or more without anyone looking inside.
Homes near the coast at Maroubra, Malabar and Little Bay also collect salt, sand and dust on the roof, and large street trees across Matraville and Kingsford drop plenty of leaves into gutters. All of it ends up in the tank unless it's screened out first.
Tank water in town is best used for toilets, laundry and the garden. For drinking and cooking, NSW Health recommends using the mains supply where it's connected. Our water filters page covers filtering mains water at the kitchen tap.
How often should a tank be checked?
NSW Health advises clearing roof gutters every three or four months and checking tanks for sludge at least every two to three years. In practice, a quick look at the screens and first flush diverter each season, and a proper check of the tank and pump every couple of years, keeps most systems trouble-free. Our rainwater tank guide has a simple checklist you can do yourself.
Why locals call us
- Local to Matraville and the southern Eastern Suburbs
- Free on-site quotes, with a fixed price before any work starts
- Lifetime labour warranty on our workmanship
- 100+ five-star Google reviews
- Licensed plumbers and gasfitters (Lic. 398171C)
Common questions
Why is my toilet bowl stained brown when we use tank water?
Usually because sediment and sludge from the bottom of the tank are being pumped into the cistern. Cleaning out the tank and fitting a filter after the pump normally stops the staining coming back.
Why does my rainwater pump keep turning on and off?
Common causes are a small leak in the pipes, a worn pressure switch or a pump intake partly blocked by sludge. We test the system to find which it is before recommending a repair.
How often should a rainwater tank be cleaned out?
NSW Health recommends checking for sludge at least every two to three years and removing it when it builds up. Tanks under big trees or near busy roads may need it more often.
Can you fit a filter to my existing rainwater tank?
Yes. An inline sediment filter can usually be added after the existing pump, and leaf screens, a first flush diverter and a floating intake can be added to most tanks.
Can I drink the water from my rainwater tank?
Where mains water is connected, NSW Health recommends using mains water for drinking and cooking, and tank water for toilets, laundry and the garden.
Related help: our rainwater tank guide, water filters, leaking toilets, stormwater and blocked downpipes. Pump turning on by itself? See rainwater pump turning on. Local pages: Matraville, Pagewood, Eastgardens, Maroubra and Little Bay.