People are facing growing concern about finite water resources and how they can conserve and use water more responsibly. Capturing rainwater is one simple method that has been used over the centuries. It is well within every householder's capability today. Perhaps you are keen to harvest one of nature's finest resources to help reduce your escalating water bills. After all it's free! This advice will provide you with the necessary background information and know-how you need to go about harvesting rainwater. Although at first it appears very straightforward, this handy cheat sheet will point out the things that are not immediately apparent.
Basics Of Rainwater Harvesting Systems
The system relies on a perfectly simple concept: collecting water from the roof and gutter system of your home and conveying it to a storage tank. Your system can be designed to suit your needs, ranging from high level use as a main household supply to the small and occasional back-up water source. Either way, it is always good to make a start with the most undemanding task.
Choose Your Tank Type
With the need to accommodate today's smaller properties, compact, slim-line rain water tanks are now the norm. Designed to be installed along fence lines or in tight spaces, they are attractive space savers. The polyethylene material is extremely robust, lightweight and comes in a huge range of styles and colors that will blend with any style of home.
Decide On Usage
The way you propose to use the water will influence the design and maintenance required. Harvested water is ideal for many purposes around the house, from watering the lawn and garden to washing, cooking and cleaning. Drinking rainwater provides a pleasant, fresh taste completely free from chemicals. While water can be collected from any roofing material (aside from asbestos), to harvest water of suitable quality for drinking, you need to avoid collecting from:
Unsurprisingly, your roof and gutters also need to be in good health before your system can operate effectively.
Prepare By Checking Your Roof System
If you are not up for climbing around on the roof and would rather avoid working anywhere above solid ground, then don't think twice about arranging for some professional assistance. An experienced roofing and gutter repairs company will do a quick inspection to see if everything is in order. When all is ready to go, use this convenient checklist to ensure that you have everything necessary to have an effective system. If you are leaving the job to the professionals, use the list to monitor their progress and be fully aware of what should be happening at every step.
Roof and Gutter Work
Tank Fitting
Collecting rainwater from a well-designed, well-maintained system will not only save you money on your ever increasing water bills. You can make an important conservation contribution by becoming less dependent on mains water and reducing the amount of damaging storm water run-off to the environment.
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