The rainwater collection system is a simple and cost-effective way to collect rain. Rainwater can be collected from the roof of your home or business, then stored in rain barrels for future use. This rainwater can then be used for many purposes including gardening, washing cars, and even drinking. The following article will provide you with all the information you need on how to get started with rainwater collection!
Why You Should Collect Rainwater?
There are many great reasons to use rainwater for your home or business. Some of the best include:
- It helps reduce stormwater runoff which can cause major problems like erosion and flooding, especially after heavy rainfalls.
- Rain barrels tend to be inexpensive since you can make them yourself! You will also save money on your utility bills since rainwater is free.
- Using rainwater reduces the number of chemicals in your home, such as chlorine and fluoride that are used in most tap water sources. This can be especially beneficial for those who have sensitive skin or suffer from allergies!
How to Get Started with Rain Water Collection?
You will need a few supplies to start rainwater collection.
- First, you will need a rain barrel that is large enough for the amount of rainwater you wish to collect. For most homes and businesses, 40 gallons should be sufficient.
- Next, locate where your rain barrels can best catch rain from the roof such as near downspouts or drains on flat roofs.
- You will also need a rain gutter and rain chain to divert rain from your roof into the barrel itself. Make sure that you clean out debris such as leaves, twigs, and acorns regularly! At this point, all that is left for you to do is enjoy using rainwater at home or in business!
Remember rainwater collection is a great way to simplify building maintenance. By collecting rainwater, you can save money on your utility bills and reduce storm runoff in the process!
Rain barrels are one of the most inexpensive ways to go green when it comes to rainwater collection. Using rainwater inside or outside for gardening or washing cars will also help reduce chemicals that are used in tap water sources.
What are the Best Methods?
There are three main rainwater collection methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Using rainwater for irrigation or washing cars will reduce the number of chemicals in tap water sources while also saving you money on utility bills!
Bulk Collection: This method involves catching rain from a large area such as an entire roof or from multiple roofs in the same area through connections to downspouts that lead into one larger rain barrel. This is best for places with flat roofs where rainwater runs off easily.
Bucket/Gutter Collection: This rainwater collection method involves using rain gutters and rain chains to divert rain from the roof into a rain barrel or multiple rain barrels that are placed below where you collect such as on your exterior wall near downspouts. This is best for homes with steep roofs, but rain gutters and rain chains can be used on flat roofs as well.
Shower Water Collection: This method of rainwater collection involves using your existing plumbing to divert shower water into a separate tank for later use. This is great if you have the extra money, but it may require the installation of new materials in order to work properly.
Rain barrels are a great way to collect rainwater and can be made at home. By using rainwater for irrigation or washing cars you will reduce the number of chemicals in your tap water sources while also saving money on your utility bills!
Where Should the Barrel be Located?
It is best to have your barrel near downspouts or drains on flat roofs. Make sure that you clean out debris such as leaves, twigs, and acorns regularly! At this point, all that is left for you to do is enjoy using rainwater at home or in business!
Which Method is Best Suited for My Roof?
All rainwater collection methods can be adapted to fit any roof as long as you have the proper materials and tools. It is important that rainwater flows away from your home’s foundation, not towards it! Most rain barrels come with a rain gutter and rain chains for catching water near downspouts or other drains on flat roofs, but rain gutters and rain chains can also be used on steep roofs.
For flat or steep roofs, you will need a rain barrel with an outlet to the rain gutters that are connected to your home’s exterior walls near downspouts in order for water to properly drain away from your foundation. You may require professional assistance when installing bulk collection methods if your rainwater collection system is not properly draining away from your home’s foundation.
Do You Need a Water Tank?
You will not require a rainwater collection tank if you are using rainwater for irrigation or washing cars. However, if you want to use rainwater indoors then it is best that you install a bulk collection system with an indoor rainwater storage tank near your home’s plumbing supply lines in order for the rainwater to be used inside as well.
How Does the System Work?
A rainwater collection system requires a rain barrel with an outlet to your downspouts or drains on flat roofs. Bulk rainwater collection systems require you to install gutters and rain chains around your home’s exterior walls near downspouts in order for rainwater to be channeled away from your foundation, but rain gutters and rain chains can also be used on steep roofs if desired.
You will then need an outlet that allows rainwater to flow into the rain barrel when it is full, such as a spigot that attaches between your downspout and rain barrel in order for you to divert rainwater away from your home’s foundation before draining into a rainwater collection tank that is situated near your home’s plumbing supply lines.
For bulk rainwater collection, you will need a rain barrel with an outlet to the rain gutters and rain chains around your home’s exterior walls or near downspouts on flat roofs in order for rainwater to properly drain away from your foundation. You may require professional assistance when installing rainwater collection systems if your rainwater collection system is not properly draining away from your home’s foundation.
Which One Should You Choose?
All three of these methods are great for collecting rainwater, but it depends on the look you want and how much money you have to spend. If you do not mind having a few barrels outside then rain barrels are great! You can also build your own rainwater collection system for free if you have the tools, time, and patience to do so. Bulk rainwater systems with tanks look more professional than rain barrels or homemade rainwater collection systems but they cost money upfront.
How Much Will it Cost?
Rain barrels are very affordable rainwater collection systems that are rainwater harvesting rain barrels with spigots to divert rain away from your home’s foundation before draining into a rain barrel. Bulk rainwater collection systems cost more than rain barrels but they look very professional and may be preferred for landscaping purposes when you want the best looking outside appearance possible.
Rain Barrels: $30-$70
Bulk rainwater collection systems: $100 -$300+
When comparing rain barrels vs bulk rainwater storage tanks, a rain barrel is the best choice if the cost for installation is a concern with rain barrels costing less than rainwater collection systems. Bulk rainwater storage tanks look more professional and are a better choice if maximum rainwater is required for landscaping purposes as rain barrels will not hold enough rain to irrigate the lawn, but bulk rain tanks could be used in combination with other methods of collecting rain such as gutters or downspouts.
How to Keep Water Clean?
Rain barrels can become dirty from leaves and debris, but rainwater collection systems require the rain gutters to be cleaned periodically. Do not allow rainwater to sit for a long time in your rain barrel or storage tank as contamination may occur if you do so.
If you have a lot of trees around your home then rain gutters will need to be cleaned periodically. If rainwater is not used within a day then rainwater collection systems should have the rain gutters and tanks flushed out weekly to ensure that rainwater remains clean from contamination.
You can also prevent your rain barrels from getting dirty by placing them away from debris such as leaves or other plant life so they do not get contaminated.
What Materials are Required?
You will need rain barrels with spigots or bulk rainwater collection systems to collect the rainwater and an outlet such as a garden hose that leads from your home’s plumbing supply lines into your rain barrel. You can choose between two different types of materials when purchasing rain barrels: plastic or metal but you may require professional assistance if rainwater collection systems are required as rain gutters and downspouts will need to be installed around your home’s exterior walls.
You can use either plastic or metal materials for rain barrels but not both types of material together as this is considered a rainwater harvesting no-no unless you combine two different rain barrel brands that have rain gutters and downspouts.
Do I Need to Hire a Professional Rainwater Collection Expert?
If you have a steep roof with rain gutters and rain chains, rain barrels can be easily made at home. However, if your flat or steep roof does not already have rain gutters to catch water from the rain barrel that is placed by downspouts near exterior walls, then hiring a professional will likely be necessary for the installation of bulk collection methods.
If rainwater collection is done correctly, your home will be protected from the negative effects of rainwater runoff and you may even reduce storm runoff in the process!
Hiring a professional for installation or repairs to rain barrel systems such as bulk collection methods can be expensive, but it also ensures that rain barrels are installed properly. If rainwater collection is done incorrectly it will not be as effective and rainwater runoff may damage your home.
FAQ
It is Worth Collecting Rain Water?
Absolutely! rainwater collection systems look better than rain barrels and are a great way to make use of rain runoff if you don’t want it running off the roof of your home.
How Efficient is Rain Water Harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting is an incredibly effective way to collect rain runoff.
Is Rain Water Safe to Drink?
If rainwater is collected from a rainwater collection system, it will be clean and safe to drink.