5 Brilliant Rainwater Collection Systems

From Tim on July 30th, 2009 in Roofing

Catch it while you can

During the hottest months of the year, rainfall can be pretty scarce, especially in dry parts of the country. Investing in your own rain catcher system can save you money and reduce pressure on the local watersheds. Even if you already xeriscape or have drought resistant landscaping, providing irrigation to these plants is essential during the summer. Some of these water-saving devices are as simple as placing a rain barrel under the downspouts or hanging a decorative chain from the house. Either way, the idea is to collect as much free water during the spring, so you’ll have enough when your landscaping needs it the most.

Rainwater Harvester

It’s like having garden or landscaping water on-demand. This rain catcher system uses specialized rain gutters that collect water and send it directly to a storage tank in your basement. When you want to use the water, a pump inside the tank delivers it to a special spigot that hooks up to any garden hose. These systems usually come with a leaf and debris filter and hold anywhere from 100-200 gallons of water.

Rain Barrels

Modern polyethylene barrels have replaced the old wooden rain barrels. These streamlined rain catchers can hold up to 100 gallons of water and come with a screen top to maximize rain catching ability. They also have an attachment for the garden hose and an internal overflow device. Simply place the barrel underneath your home’s downspout and let Mother Nature do the rest. The water remains usable for months, but never leave it out during the winter – frozen water can damage the barrel.

Underground Tank

This is the big daddy rain harvester. These tanks can hold enough stored drinking water (574 gal. on average) for months of use. The storage tanks are buried in your lawn and a system of specialized roof gutters are set up to channel rainwater into these huge tanks. If you do a lot of watering over the summer season, these large tanks can cut your bill in half.

Rain Chain

This is an elegant way to direct the rainwater from your roof into a collection barrel. Not to mention, add a touch of class to your home’s appearance. Made of bronze, copper or stainless steel, the chain is linked by a series of small cups and funnel-like basins. Rainwater flows over this elegant metal string and into a storage tank for later use. If you don’t harvest rainwater, the chains help by controlling erosion and directing runoff away from the homes foundation.

Gutters/Downspouts

Install gutters and downspouts. This will help protect the home’s foundation and prevent soil erosion. Gutters also reduce the risk of wood rot, offer protection to wood decks, and protect your home from siding mold & fungus.