Image shows a commercial truck with Ri-Industries on it hauling pre-cast concrete products.

4 Common Myths About Pre-Cast Concrete Debunked

Thursday, 9 January 2025 by Ri Industries

Pre-cast concrete has been a cornerstone of modern construction, offering versatility, strength, and sustainability. Despite its widespread use, several misconceptions persist about this remarkable material. Let’s set the record straight by debunking five common myths about pre-cast concrete.

Myth 1: Pre-Cast Concrete Is Only for Large-Scale Projects

Reality: While pre-cast concrete is a popular choice for large commercial and infrastructure projects, it is equally suitable for small-scale applications. From septic tanks to rainwater tanks, pre-cast products cater to a variety of needs. The ability to customise makes it a versatile option for projects of any scale.

Myth 2: Pre-Cast Concrete Is Not Eco-Friendly

Reality: Pre-cast concrete is an environmentally friendly building material. Its production process minimises waste, and any leftover material can often be recycled. Additionally, pre-cast concrete’s durability means structures require less maintenance and have longer lifespans, reducing the need for replacement materials over time.

Myth 3: Pre-Cast Concrete Is Too Expensive

Reality: While the upfront cost of pre-cast concrete may seem higher than some alternatives, it often proves more cost-effective in the long run. Its durability reduces maintenance and repair expenses, and its quick installation saves on labour costs and project timelines. When considering total lifecycle costs, pre-cast concrete is a budget-friendly choice.

Myth 4: Pre-Cast Concrete Is Difficult to Install

Reality: Pre-cast concrete is specifically designed for easy installation. Since components are manufactured off-site, they arrive ready for assembly, significantly reducing on-site construction time. Pre-cast products often include features like lifting hooks or custom connectors, simplifying the installation process even further. With the right planning and tools, installation is both quick and efficient.

Pre-cast concrete is a versatile, durable, and eco-friendly material that can enhance projects of any size or style. By debunking these common myths, it’s clear why pre-cast concrete continues to be a preferred choice for builders, architects, and homeowners alike.

Curious to see how pre-cast concrete can benefit your next project? Call Ri-Industries on 08 8444 8100.

Rainwater Harvesting Will Help Conserve Water and Lower Costs

Wednesday, 28 September 2022 by Ri Industries

Rainwater harvesting is an excellent way to conserve water and lower expenses. The rainfall we’ve been seeing in South Australia makes this a great time to learn about rainwater harvesting and see if it’s something you’d like to do.

First, let’s answer the question, ‘What is rainwater harvesting?’. Simply put, it’s collecting and storing rain for later use. So now, let’s take a look at how the water can be used and how it is collected.

Harvested rainwater provides clean water where water is scarce or polluted. It can be used to flush toilets, do laundry, water the garden, wash cars, and more. However, if you want to be able to drink the water, the system must be designed, operated, and maintained to ensure the water quality is suitable.

It’s often thought that rainwater harvesting is only done in rural areas. In fact, many urban households harvest rainwater to significantly lower mains water usage. According to www.sa.gov.au, “South Australian building rules require that new dwellings and some extensions or alterations, have an additional water supply to supplement mains water. The most common way to meet the additional water supply requirement is to install plumbed minimum-sized rainwater tanks.”

Is harvesting rainwater more costly than only using mains water? No! Once the tank is installed and your water use is supplemented by the harvested rainwater, your water bills should be lower. After all, rainwater is free!

Harvested rainwater is collected from various hard surfaces such as rooftops and/or other man made above ground hard surfaces. The water is stored in a tank. The below diagram (credit: treehugger.com) shows how rainwater harvesting works.

Ri-Industries manufactures underground concrete rainwater tanks. Concrete rainwater tanks offer a number of advantages:

The water stays cooler.
No algae develops.
The water has no after-taste.
They are vandal-proof and fire-proof.
Being underground means they are out of sight and don’t take up much of your valuable real estate.
Concrete is stronger and more durable.

Our rainwater tanks are built to stand the test of time. They’re made from high frequency vibrated reinforced concrete using the highest quality of materials. Steel mesh is cast into the rainwater tanks and lids, and all fittings are made from brass – to give additional peace of mind. We also have full engineering approval for below ground tanks. This means you can rest easy knowing that a Ri-Industries rainwater tank will serve you well, wherever it is installed. We can also custom make inlets and outlets to suit your specific requirements.

Are you ready to conserve water and save money? Call us at 08 8444 8100 and let know how we can help you!

Rainwater Harvesting Benefits Farming and Agriculture

Wednesday, 6 January 2021 by Ri Industries

Farming and agriculture play an important role in Australia. Rainwater tanks contribute to their success by reducing their reliance on mother nature.

Farms require an abundance of water to keep their crops and livestock healthy. In Australia, which is known for its dry climate, rainwater tanks Adelaide can help keep the water flowing despite a lack of rain. Another concern of farmers is the outbreak of disease or parasites. When this occurs, it’s in their best interest to have access to their own clean water supply.

Farmers use rainwater harvesting, which is the primary and most efficient component of water supply management for rural and regional Australia, to fill the rainwater tanks. Rainwater that falls on the roofs of houses, sheds, and other farm buildings is collected and stored in tanks. This is an easy way to locally collect water and use it where and when it’s needed.

The collected water can be used in various applications such as feeding stock, spraying crops, and storing water for firefighting. The quality of rainwater is typically superior to water from sources such as dams and local waterways which means it can also be used for domestic use.

Rainwater harvesting is expected to become more popular in the years to come. This is in part due to the cost-effectiveness of rainwater harvesting as compared to setting up main water and sewage services in semi-rural and rural areas. In fact, rainwater harvesting is so cost-efficient that arguments have been made that it should be used more widely in urban areas as well.

The bottom line is that safely storing water in tanks is a cost-effective way to see you through many types of water crises, including drought. If you’d like to learn more about rainwater harvesting and/or Ri-Industries rainwater tanks, we have a range of articles you can read available on our website. Of course, we’ll be happy to take your call to answer questions as well. You can reach us at 08 8444 8100.

Rainwater Harvesting Information

Friday, 5 August 2016 by Ri Industries

A question has been posed by a number of customers over the course of the past few weeks, so we thought it best to answer the question right here in our blog. The question relates to catching rainwater for harvesting.

To begin, rainwater harvesting is a technique used for collecting, storing and using rainwater for landscape irrigation and other uses. It has become a popular topic of conversation as it can be very beneficial, especially in a dry climate like ours in South Australia (although we appreciate we have just had the wettest July day in 75 years!)
Some benefits of rainwater harvesting are:
• Reduce water bills
• Provide an alternative water supply during water restrictions
• Help maintain a green, healthy garden
• Depending upon the tank size and climate, rainwater harvesting can reduce mains water use by 100%
• Decreases storm water runoff, thereby helping to reduce local flooding.
People have been asking where the rainwater is caught. Rainwater can be collected from most roof types, depending on the quality of rainwater required.
For garden or lawn irrigation:
• collect from any roof material except unsealed asbestos
• ensure all gutters fall towards the outlets
• preferably fit an effective leaf screen to the gutters
• use gutter outlets that fit to the underside of the gutter.
For all other uses, also:
• prevent vegetation from overhanging the roof
• clean the roof and gutters before installing the system
• fit a good quality leaf screen to gutters or use a leaf-shedding gutter.
For drinking water, avoid collecting rainwater:
• from sections of roof containing lead flashing or asbestos sheeting, and from roofs painted with pre-1980 paint. If they cannot be avoided, seal properly by preparing the surface and painting with a suitable potable-quality roof sealant, and do not collect rainwater from the first few rainfall events after sealing
• in areas where airborne toxins are present from nearby activities such as crop-dusting and chemical processing.
Tip:
If no leaf screen is fitted to gutters, fit leaf-shedding rain-heads to the downpipes to intercept leaves and reduce excessive leaf build-up.

Ri-Industries manufactures pre-cast concrete rainwater tanks with the following advantages to non-concrete tanks:
• The water stays cooler.
• No algae develops.
• The water has no after-taste.
• They are bullet proof, vandal-proof and fire-proof.
• Being underground means they are out of sight and don’t take up much of your valuable real estate.
• Above ground tanks can be spray painted to fit in better with your surroundings.
• Concrete is stronger and more durable.
Do you have more questions? Call us at 08 8444 8100 and we will be happy to assist you.

What are the Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting?

Thursday, 10 March 2016 by Ri Industries

Rainwater harvesting is a technique used for collecting, storing and using rainwater for landscape irrigation and other uses. The rainwater is collected from various hard surfaces such as rooftops and/or other manmade aboveground hard surfaces. For a dry climate such as we have here in South Australia, rainwater harvesting can make a huge beneficial impact on the environment.

Most rural households have to source all their water on their property, and rainwater often provides a better quality household supply than river, bore or dam water. Rainwater harvesting is not just for rural areas though. Although urban households may be connected to a reticulated, treated (mains) water supply, rainwater harvesting can significantly lower mains water usage.

What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting? It will reduce water bills, provide an alternative supply during water restrictions and help maintain a green, healthy garden. In fact, depending upon tank size and climate, rainwater harvesting can reduce mains water use by 100%. Rainwater harvesting also decreases stormwater runoff, thereby helping to reduce local flooding and scouring of creeks.

From yourhome.gov.au:

Rainwater can be collected from most roof types, depending on the quality of rainwater required.

For garden or lawn irrigation:

collect from any roof material except unsealed asbestos
ensure all gutters fall towards the outlets
preferably fit an effective leaf screen to the gutters
use gutter outlets that fit to the underside of the gutter.

For all other uses, also:

prevent vegetation from overhanging the roof
clean the roof and gutters before installing the system
fit a good quality leaf screen to gutters or use a leaf-shedding gutter.

For drinking water, also avoid collecting rainwater:

from sections of roof containing lead flashing or asbestos sheeting, and from roofs painted with pre-1980 paint — if they cannot be avoided, seal properly by preparing the surface and painting with a suitable potable-quality roof sealant, and do not collect rainwater from the first few rainfall events after sealing
in areas where airborne toxins are present from nearby activities such as crop-dusting and chemical processing.

It is important to note that if your rainwater is to be used for human consumption, the system must be designed, operated and maintained to ensure the water quality is suitable.

If you are interested in learning more about rainwater harvesting, please have a look at the concrete rainwater tanks on the Ri-Industries website or give us a call.

Save Money with Rainwater Harvesting

Thursday, 3 September 2015 by Ri Industries

People often say that they would eat healthier or buy organic groceries if they didn’t cost more. They would replace older appliances with energy efficient models, if they could afford it. Wouldn’t it be great if doing something healthy and good for the environment could save you money? Ri Industries has a suggestion for you. Rainwater harvesting.

Rainwater harvesting is simply the process of collecting rainwater and storing it for human use. Guess what? Rainwater is FREE! Once you have a rainwater tank installed you begin saving money on your water bill each and every month. Plus, using harvested rainwater means using less water from the mains thereby you will be helping the water conservation efforts.

Did you know that stormwater can actually damage creeks and water habitats? It’s true. Rainwater harvesting can actually help protect against significant damage.

Rainwater can be used to flush toilets, do laundry, water the garden, wash cars, and more. Using rainwater in and around your home can largely reduce the amount of water that you use.

Ri Industries offers concrete rainwater tanks that can be installed above or below the ground. Their design makes them basically maintenance free. Call us to learn more, 08 8444 8100.

Rainwater Harvesting