A Rainwater Tank is a Great Way to Collect and Store Water Runoff from Roofs
By Mark J. Donovan
|
|
Your home’s roof sheds an incredible amount of water during a rain storm. For example, 2,000 square feet of roof surface can shed nearly 1,200 gallons of water with just an inch of rainfall. If you live in a dry climate the rainwater collected from a roof can be as precious as gold. Consequently in many parts of the world rain barrels, a.k.a. rainwater tanks, or cisterns are commonly used to collect roof run off. Rain barrel water collection tanks are commonly used for providing supplemental water for gardening, flushing toilets and for cleaning vehicles.
However, with proper filtration they can also be used for supplemental potable water. Cisterns are large tanks that are located either under the home or near the home and can hold thousands of gallons of water collected from a home’s roof. |
Rain barrel water collection tanks also help to prevent erosion around the home’s perimeter. Roof runoff can quickly cut deep ruts in the soil and damage landscaping underneath the roof eaves if gutters are not installed.
| In addition, rain barrels can prevent basement flooding by preventing roof runoff from penetrating down the home’s foundation walls and into the basement. Rain barrels also prevent water runoff from over taxing public drain and sewer systems.
Rain barrels which are available in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors, are often placed underneath roof eaves and centered under gutter down spouts. This enables the roof runoff to be easily collected and stored without requiring a lot of excavation and piping. Rain barrel costs can vary widely depending upon their size and the material they are constructed out of. |
  |
This said, rainwater tanks, or rain barrels, are a onetime investment and are fairly inexpensive when their cost is compared to the cost of buying additional water from your home on a recurring basis.
| Also, you don’t need to necessarily go out and buy the latest rainwater tank technology to serve as a rain barrel water collection tank. For example, old wine or whiskey aging barrels are perfect for functioning as a rain barrel, not to mention they provide some unique personal charm. The most common size rain barrels have a storage capacity of 50 to 60 gallons.
One word of caution, however, when deciding upon setting up a rain barrel on your property. They can be mosquito breeding grounds. Consequently it is wise to have them tightly covered. Often rain barrels have covers that fit tightly over them with only a small opening for the downspout to slip into. |
  |
To distribute the water in a rain barrel a small pump can be installed in it so that water can be pumped from it to your garden, or wherever you need water around the home, via a garden hose.
Dress Up Your Home’s Exterior with an Arbor – If you’ve always wondered what to do about a side door entrance to your house or garage to make it more appealing, or just wanted to simply spice up the backyard, building an arbor may be your answer. The “How to Build an Arbor Ebook” provides detailed, step-by-step instructions and pictures on how to build an entrance-way arbor for your home. Order and Immediately Download today!. 100% Money-Back Guarantee if you are not satisfied.
Planning to have a Brick or Paver Walkway Installed by a Landscaping Contractor but not sure what questions to ask to ensure you hire the right one? See HomeAdditionPlus.com’s Brick and Paver Walkway Bid Sheet. The Brick and Paver Walkway Bid Sheet will help ensure that your walkway project goes smoothly and you get the finished walkway you are looking for.
Additional Landscaping Resources from Amazon.com
  |
  |
Free Home Addition Price Quotes with No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote on a house addition from one of our prescreened and licensed home addition contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to continue once you receive your house addition price estimate.