Water tanks are often installed on the roofs of residential buildings, regardless of the season or the type of settlement. However, the question arises as to why such height is necessary, and whether it is possible to supply water by placing the tank on the ground or in the lower part of the house. The answer lies in a simple scientific principle.
Placing the tank at a height allows water to be delivered to different parts of the house due to its own pressure. The higher the container is located, the stronger the effect of gravity on the water inside it, which ensures a natural flow of water through the pipes leading downwards.
To illustrate this, one can imagine a jar of water placed high up with a connected pipe; the water will start flowing down quickly. If the same jar is placed on the ground, artificial pressure will be required to supply water downwards.
If a water tank is placed on the ground, pumps may be required to supply water to the upper floors and other areas of the house. Gravitational force alone will not allow water to be lifted upwards. For example, if a house has two or three floors and the tank is on the ground, the water must be lifted to the bathroom or kitchen, which will require a motor or pumping system.
Thus, placing the tank on the ground will not lead to a complete cessation of water supply, but it will require more energy and a more complex pumping equipment system for distributing water to various points.
Another significant advantage of installing the tank on the roof is the ability to store water in it during a power outage. After that, the water continues to flow into the house downwards under the influence of gravity. This means that the stored water can be used even in the event of a temporary lack of electricity. At the same time, the pressure level will depend on the height of the tank and the organization of the pipeline.
As a rule, the higher the tank, the higher the pressure created by gravity between the tank and the tap. However, this does not mean that the tank should be made infinitely high. Since thousands of liters of water can be stored in the tank, it is crucial to ensure the strength of the roof and the platform on which the tank is installed.
In modern buildings, reservoirs for storing water are often created underground or on the first floor. From there, the water is then pumped into a second, higher container. Therefore, placing the tank below is not an error, but in this case, a pump system is required to lift the water. Consequently, in most houses, water is first pumped into the rooftop tank and then distributed throughout the house by gravity. The main reason for installing the tank on the roof is to utilize the advantage of gravity and water pressure, which simplifies the delivery of water to lower floors and reduces the need for constant operation of pumps.