Residential Water Harvesting Systems; an Introduction

 

A rainwater collection system harvests rainfall from roofs or other waterproof surfaces. Residential rainwater collection uses water captured and stored at a home or other type of residence. The system connects the roof, gutters, and rain barrels to gather rainwater and store it for later use. Since homeowners will use the water on the site of collection, there is no need to transport it to other locations. A residential rainwater irrigation system is a sustainable system that saves money and conserves public water.

There are significant benefits of rainwater collection, and homeowners and residents can use rainwater to nourish trees, gardens, flower beds, and yards. The typical components of a basic system are downspouts from the roof level, a modified gutter system, pipes to carry water, and rain barrels for storage.

The benefits of rainwater irrigation setups are amplified in water scarce areas  (e.g. Los Angeles), but they’re valuable in many climates. These benefits include:

• Water conservation

• Saving money on utility costs

• Positive environmental impact

• Increase the value of a home or residence

• Reduce damage to home and foundation from rains and water

Good Citizenship

People concerned with water usage, their impact on the local ecosystem, and water conservation consider residential rainwater collection as a contribution to their community. Rainwater is free, and it does not require tax-supported action by the local government. Using rainwater reduces the demands on the local water treatment system. A community with widespread usage of rainwater collection will send far less rainwater into the local water system. The basics of rainwater collection and irrigation are usually already in place. A roof area receives many gallons of water during rains, and the gutter system carries it away. The system adds rain barrels or other collection containers to hold the water until needed.

Practical Applications

A rainwater irrigation system can be a simple arrangement that directs rainwater to a garden plot or flower beds. Or, they can be expansive systems that can irrigate large areas of ground. The structure of a rainwater irrigation system can range from a downspout and barrel to sophisticated contractor-installed systems for all types of water usage. Many people prefer to do it themselves, and the DIY rain collection and irrigation systems can be quite effective, creative, and require low-cost investments of time and materials.

Rainwater is an excellent source of water for plants, shrubs, flower gardens, and landscapes. Rain does not have chlorine, fluorine, and other trace elements that can build up in the soils and affect plants and foliage. Gardeners have valued the benefits of rainwater for their flowers, shrubs, and vegetables, and organic gardeners make strong efforts to avoid adding chemicals to their plant beds and soils. Many gardeners began with a simple barrel for rain collection.

Rainwater harvesting can be a primary source of water. Like wells, rainwater collection can provide water for outdoor irrigation and indoor uses like clothes washing and cleaning. With more advanced systems, households can convert rainwater into safe drinking water.

Rainwater collection systems have a wide range of uses; there is also a wide range of investment to start or maintain a rainwater system. On the basic end of the scale, an effective rain barrel is a covered or enclosed container with a connection for water run-off from a roof and a tap near the bottom for letting out water. Some projects modify trash cans for containers while others begin with a purchase of a commercial rain barrel. The size of the tank can vary, and the capacity will determine the amount of water that the system can hold.

Directing rainwater away from the foundation of a home or residence can have an overall beneficial effect to prevent flooding and foundation damage from excessive groundwater. By directing rainwater away from the structure, the ground will provide better support and stay drier than if left to absorb rainwater.

Calculating Rainwater for Irrigation

You can easily calculate the amount of water captured by a rainwater irrigation system. You must know the approximate dimensions of the water collection surface, such as a roof of a home or other type of building. A typical roof area can provide surprising amounts of water. For example, one inch of rainfall on a roof that is 20 feet by 20 feet can provide 220 gallons of rainwater.

The list below sets out the formula for calculating rainwater harvests.

A = Length of the roof area

B = Width of the roof area

C= The amount of rainfall in inches

The formula is A x B x C = the amount of rainwater in gallons.

The average roof size is about 20 feet by 40 feet. In one hour of moderate rainfall, a roof this size can shed about 600 gallons of water. Across the US, a typical household might use about 40 percent of its total water usage on outdoor irrigation or similar uses.

Water Collection Basics

Rainwater is heavy, and the system for storage must support the weight of water. Simple barrel set-ups typically have support for the barrel and sit on a bed of gravel to promote water flow and avoid creating muddy areas.

Water collection containers or barrels can work as a single container or have connections and link two or more containers to handle overflow and regulate irrigation. Containers should be covered and well maintained. They require periodic cleaning.

The gutters on the roof are part of the water intake, and a successful system must keep the channels free of debris that can clog the system and interfere with water collection.

Advantages in Water-Scarce Locations

In water-restricted areas, rainwater irrigation systems can save money, reduce harmful environmental impacts, and provide the freedom to use water wisely and effectively. The goal of water conservation is to allocate a scarce resource fairly. Governments do not intend to limit homeowner freedom. Using rainwater for irrigation promotes community efforts to conserve treated water.

Many areas of the US have regular or frequent water restrictions. Restrictions vary and depend upon location. Typical examples are limits on the time of day for using water to water lawns, restrictions on the use of water for outdoor pools, and day of week restrictions on lawn irrigation. The summer months, in particular, can have severe limitations on the use of public water systems. In water-restricted areas, rainwater irrigation systems provide a useful water supply that governments cannot restrict or regulate.

Water restricted areas also add costly fees and surcharges to encourage conservation. The extra fees and high water usage charges can add up and become a burden for many residents in water-scarce areas.

Residential rainwater irrigation systems can be elaborate arrangements requiring substantial investments and contractor installation. They can also be a simple roof, gutter, and rain barrel arrangements. Any type of rainfall harvesting helps conserve public water and reduce the demands on local water systems. Homeowners can reduce their utility costs and promote the local ecology at the same time.

Back to the Basics

For centuries, people have used rainwater to irrigate land, gardens, and other growing areas. Today, people across the US have rediscovered the benefits of rainwater. In a water-scarce region, rainwater collection can make a substantial contribution to conservation. At any level of price and investment that you may choose, there is a residential rainwater system that can meet your needs.

 

More Reading:

LA County’s public watershed program has put together an excellent overview for those interested in how to put water harvesting into practice at their home.

The post Residential Water Harvesting Systems; an Introduction appeared first on Rain Gutter Pros Inc.

The gutters on your home protect your property from water damage when it rains. Water comes off of your roof, into your gutters, and is guided away from your home. When your gutters become clogged, your gutters can’t do their job. You will risk water damage to your home and a potential basement flood if your gutters aren’t working correctly.

Keep Your Gutters Clean

To avoid gutter clogs, you will either need to clean them yourself, or hire a gutter repair professional to do it for you. Gutters should be cleaned twice a year to prevent clogs and buildup. If you have trees close to your gutters, you may need to clear your gutters even more frequently.

To Clean Your Gutters

A leaf blower is a great tool when you want to clean your gutters. If you are able to safely climb a ladder to your gutter system, use a leaf blower to blow the debris along your gutter. Protect yourself by wearing goggles and a dust mask, as leaf blowing can cause serious dust to fly. You can also use heavy work gloves and a small shovel to muck out leaves from your gutters.

Use a High Pressure Hose

Once you clean out the leaves and debris that are in your gutters, use a high pressure washer or the high pressure nozzle on your hose to clean out the rest of the gutter. Start at the opposite end of the drain, and work your way down to the drain to clean the gutter.

Check the Drainpipes

The drainpipes also need to be cleaned when you are cleaning your gutters. Make sure there are no clogs in your downspouts, as this will cause problems with your gutters. Remove the downspout if possible, and clean it out using a high pressure nozzle. Once you clean the downspout, reattach it to your gutter system.

Contact Weatherguard Gutters Today!

If you are nervous about cleaning your gutters or you are not able to get to gutters that are too high, professional help is necessary. At Weatherguard Gutters, we have been helping homeowners in Vancouver and the surrounding area for more than 25 years keep their homes protected with a good gutter system and maintenance. If you need help cleaning your gutters, it’s time to contact us today.

The post How to Unclog a Clogged Gutter appeared first on nfl.

Understanding Copper Gutter Oxidation

When copper gutters are first installed, they look like a shiny, new penny. Over time, the copper metal interacts with the air and ambient moisture. This interaction causes oxidation, and as the copper gutters age, they will slowly form a green patina, similar to the green color of the Statue of Liberty. For homeowners who just had their copper gutters installed, they can expect the process to take between five and 20 years, depending on the local weather conditions. Dryer climates tend to lead to slower oxidation than wetter climates, including near oceans and lakes and areas with a lot of rain or snow.

At the beginning of the process, the shine of the gutters will dissipate, and they may appear brown or reddish brown in color. This is known as copper oxide. The copper oxide further reacts with oxygen and moisture, the gutters will slowly develop a green or pale green color. It’s important to understand that the green patina that forms on your copper gutters is completely natural, and it helps protect your gutters from corrosion. In other words, the patina extends the useful life of your gutters.

Preventing Copper Gutter Oxidation

In some instances, the homeowner may not like the green patina that forms on the copper gutters, even though it protects the copper metal from degradation. If the homeowner knows from the outset that he or she does not want the copper gutters to form a patina, the metal can be treated with a coating that prevents the outside air and moisture from reaching the metal surface.

It’s important to understand that the coating applied to the copper is not permanent. It will wear away over time and need to be reapplied in order to ensure the copper gutters retain their new penny shine. However, this also means that the homeowner can stop applying the coatings at any time and let the copper oxidze.

Removing Copper Gutter Oxidation

If the homeowner wishes to restore the new look of their gutters, they can have the patina removed. However, it is not an easy process. Copper patinas cannot simply be power washed away. It has to be scrubbed off the copper using a semi-abrasive cleaning paste and a soft-bristled scrub brush. Once all the patina has been removed, the copper look of the gutters will be restored. However, if the homeowner wishes to keep the new look, they will also have to have their copper gutters coated.

The post Do Copper Rain Gutters Turn Green? Copper Oxidation Overview appeared first on Rain Gutter Pros Inc.

Spring has sprung and the rain has come. With this rain, your gutters are going to be doing plenty of work directing the rain into good locations that don’t cause erosion to your foundation. However, since Winter stripped all the tree of their leaves your gutters might be clogged up with a bunch of leaflets and potentially other gunk. If the water can’t properly flow then the gutters will overflow and start to cause damage in the future. This is a major issue that a lot of people are unaware of so what can you do to prepare?

What’s The Big Deal?

“It’s just water!” Water created the grand canyon and it’ll definitely erode parts of your foundation if you leave it free to roam. It can even damage your roof if the gutters are overflowing and damage your driveway. If you are one of the few who proactively get on a ladder and clean out their gutters then you’re putting yourself at risk more often then you need to. The big deal is the safety of yourself, your home and your wallet.

Here are some of the top problems people report when it comes to their gutters are:

Leaks. These can spring up randomly due to loose screws or separation from the home. This can cause major damage later on to your foundation if you don’t solve it now.

Gutter Joint Separation. These are typically caused by the weight of a clog inside a drain. Typically glue and chalk aren’t strong enough to hold the joint together so dealing with the clogs source is the best solution.

Improper Slope. If your gutters aren’t pointed towards a good drainage area then this can cause erosion to the landscape of the home.

Ice Dams. These are particularly popular if you have clogged drains. The water tends to sit there and if the weather permits, it will freeze and cause a lot of problems later on when the snow on your house is melting but not draining where you want it to go. Snow can do major damages!

Gutter Gardens. If gutters are filled with debris, seeds, and bird droppings, this combination can turn into plants growing in the gutter system. If your home has access to sunlight with plenty of rain, you’ll have your very own gutter garden with zero effort on your part.

As you can see a lot of the issues are due to clogged gutters, so what’s the solution? Gutter guards work wonders in protecting your gutters from most of these issues.

What Are Gutter Guards?

They, well, guard your gutters and protect them from becoming clogged or damaged. They work by fitting on top of your existing gutters and only letting in water. However, the K-Guard gutter system completely replaces your existing gutters with much more durable gutters that have a greater water compacity.

What Can K-Guard Do?

K-Guard can keep you, your home, and your wallet safe but protecting your gutters from clogging and damage. They are built around strength, durability, capacity, while also maintaining an attractive looking home. They are designed to withstand the toughest weather conditions, will last 20+ years, can drain more than any other gutter, and keep a slick look while doing all of this.

How Can You Get Them?

They are sold through a dealer system so all you have to do is go to this site and type in your area code and contact your closest dealer. These dealers are certified experts and can answer any questions you have about K-Guard and gutters. They know what can happen to homes that don’t have high functioning gutters.

How Do I Install Them?

If you choose to have K-Guard handle your gutters then they will do all the work when it comes to installing. They are professionals and they know what precautions to take and where to start. It’s better to make sure experts install your gutters so that there are no unnecessary leaks that will cause headaches later on.

If you are tired of dealing with your gutters and want to set yourself up to win for the future then check out K-Guard and see if they can put your mind at ease. They last for 20+ years and give you a quality of service equal to that of the product. Don’t let your gutters get one more leaf in them!

This post first appeared on https://www.kguard.com

Because they rest above eye level, it can be difficult for homeowners to identify minor gutter issues before they become full-blown failures. However, there are a few telltale signs that your gutters have become worn or damaged. Walk around your property and look for the following indicators that your gutters need attention.

Gutter Damage

You can easily spot many external indicators of damage and wear from the ground. Look for sagging, cracks, visible rust and areas where gutters are detached. Black streaks can also be indicative of dirty water spilling over the side where gutters are not clogged or damaged.

Pooling Water or Dry Downspouts

After the next rainstorm, inspect downspouts and look at the landscape around your house. Your downspouts should all be discharging similar amounts of water. If any of them are running dry, a gutter may be clogged. Water spilling over the side of the gutters and areas of standing water below the gutters are also common signs of clogged gutters.

Interior Leaks

Is water seeping into your home during heavy storms? Water from the ceiling is an indicator of a roof leak, while water from walls or the corner of the ceiling is a reliable indicator of damaged gutters.  

Exterior Damage

Is the siding stained or the paint peeling or exterior wood rotting? Perhaps you notice areas of mold streaking exterior walls or eaves. Does it appear that dirt has been splashed up against the side of your home? If so, all these things are indicators you may have gutter problems. Overflowing gutters can splash on walls, and the residual moisture leaves telltale marks and backsplash.

Sudden gutter failures may seem somewhat mysterious, but there are usually indicators that failure is on its way. Taking a moment to examine your gutters now can save you time and money in the long run.

The post Keep an Eye out for These Telltale Signs of Gutter Issues appeared first on Bell Seamless Gutters.

Regular gutter maintenance is essential for keeping your home protected during the year. If you neglect them, you put your home at risk for serious water damage, such as mold, mildew, flooding, and even structural and foundation issues.

Cleaning your gutters may seem like a no-brainer. How hard could it be? There are actually several gutter cleaning mistakes that could put you and your home in danger. In the decades Tacoma Gutter Service has been in business, we’ve helped many homeowners fix these mistakes to keep their gutters working properly. Here are the five most common ones we’ve dealt with, as well as how to avoid them next time around.

 

Not cleaning your gutters

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a homeowner is not cleaning your gutters at all. If you’re ignoring this task altogether, then you could be putting your home at risk. Clogged gutters can become weighed down with debris and then pull away from your home’s siding. When they’re blocked, rain water can also spill out over the side and damage your home’s exterior—defeating the purpose of having gutters in the first place. Make sure you’re cleaning your gutters every season; if you don’t have the time, hire a professional gutter service company, like Tacoma Gutter Service, to get the job done for you.

 

Power washing gutters

On the surface, power washing your gutters seems like a brilliant idea. However, the pressure that would remove all the grime and debris from your gutters can actually remove the entire gutter system from the side of your home. If you do decide to power wash your gutters, make sure it’s on the lowest setting. To save yourself the trouble—and potential damage to your system—call a gutter service company.

 

Ignoring safety

If you’ve never cleaned out your gutters before, think about it…how would you go about doing it? If you’re picturing yourself lying on the roof, carefully digging out the debris that’s accumulated in your gutters—you’re setting yourself up for danger. Kneeling, standing, or lying on your roof does not give you a stable surface to work off, which could result in serious injuries should you take a tumble. Use a ladder whenever you clean out your gutters, and make sure you have a partner to hold the ladder steady every time as well.

 

Going in without the right equipment

Similarly, if you’re not using the proper equipment when you clean out your gutters, you could be jeopardizing your safety. There are specific tools and protective gear to use to keep yourself safe. You never know what is going to be stuck in or fly out of your gutters, so protective eye gear and heavy-duty gloves are always necessary. You also want to make sure you’re wearing sturdy shoes—not sandals or worn-out sneakers—that’ll give you support as you move up and down the ladder.

 

Cleaning them and leaving it at that

Cleaning your gutters is important for keeping them properly functioning, but you don’t want to stop there. While you’re cleaning your gutters, make sure you take the time to look for any possible damage or issues. Splits, leaks, and sagging can lead to serious and expensive problems like basement flooding, landscape erosion, and cracks in your foundation.

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If you can avoid these mistakes, it’s certainly possible to clean your gutters yourself without any issues. Typically, it’s far safer to hire a professional team like Tacoma Gutter Service to take care of your cleaning—and potentially, repairing—tasks. We can get the job done quickly, saving you an entire afternoon, as well as the stress or worry of getting it done. Give us a call at (253) 927-7111 or visit us online to schedule your free estimate.

 

This post first appeared on https://tacomagutterservice.com

Gutter cleaning is an unwelcome chore for many reasons. Working at unfamiliar heights, taking precautionary measures, and in many cases, its an entire day of hard work. No wonder no one wants to do it. Since it is usually not done very frequently, homeowners fall victim to simple mistakes due to carelessness and inexperience. This often leads to injury or expensive damage to the home. We want to bring attention to these hazards and encourage you to install the GutterShutter system before any harm happens. Here are some issues to be aware of if you decide to tackle gutter cleaning yourself:

Improper Ladder Safety

Improper use of ladders is one of the most frequent causes of home emergencies. More than 164,000 people a year need hospital treatment from ladder-related injuries, according to the World Health Organization. They are necessary to clean out gutters but using the wrong type, a damaged or worn out ladder, or insecure positioning all contribute to the high rate of falls.

Working Alone

Homeowners often want to take care of chores as quickly as possible, choosing to forgo waiting for help. The task of clearing your gutter may not seem like a two-person job, but you’ll likely find yourself needing a second pair of hands. There should always be another person present to hold the ladder, hand-off tools and call 911 if needed.

Inflicting Damage

Gutter cleaning should be done 2-3 times a year, meaning it’s not done often enough to develop real skill, but too often if you value your time. With inexperience, comes a higher risk of a misstep. That means damages to the house’s siding, broken windows, accidental ripping of gutters, or harm to the roof shingles. Additionally, there is an electrocution risk while positioned near electrical wiring.

Contact with Insects and Mold

Gutters are a breeding ground for pests and fungus. It’s highly probable you’ll encounter upset creatures, including the wasps and bees that nest in corners and crevices. There is also the presence of harmful bacteria and mold spores that grow in the decaying, wet leaves you are clearing out.

 

Practicing proper home safety requires eliminating hazardous tasks and should be a primary concern for attentive owners. To prevent these novice mistakes and to easily maintain a great appearance year-round, find a dealer to install GutterShutter today.

The post Common Dangers From Cleaning Gutters appeared first on GutterShutter.

When you have a good gutter system on your home, you can do more than simply move the rain away from your home. You can use your gutter system to collect rainwater and have usable water for a variety of activities around the home. When water is in high demand, you can harvest this natural resource using your gutters.

Set Up Near Where Water Is Needed

Your first step is to decide where you are going to use water, and set up a collection barrel near this area. If you want to use collected rainwater to irrigate your garden, the collection barrel should be in the downspout closest to your garden. Consider what type of barrel you want to use, and choose one that is the right size for the amount of water you want. While whiskey barrels are great, so are plastic trash containers and other types of collection devices.

Know How Much Water is Coming

When it comes to collecting rainwater, you have to be prepared for any overflow. You will want to know the square area of your roof to be able to determine how much water you can expect. For every 100 square feet of space, you can expect 60 gallons of water for every inch of rain. When your barrel begins to overflow, you will need to make sure water flows away to protect your home.

How to Use Collected Rainwater

Once you collect your rainwater, it can be used in a number of ways. The water you have collected has not been properly treated and you or your pets should not drink it. In addition, any water collected should be used within a week or two to avoid algae growth. You can use it to irrigate your lawn or garden, but be sure to wash any vegetables you have grown before you eat them. You can use the water to wash clothes, water indoor plants, and cleaning your home.

As Winter Approaches

With freezing weather coming, you aren’t going to be able to collect rainwater. Remove the barrel over the winter months, and reattach the rest of the downspout on your gutter system. Clean out your water barrel so that it is ready for the next season. Make sure that any water that flows over the next few months will be guided away from your home.

Contact Weatherguard Gutters for Gutter Maintenance Services Today!

At Weatherguard Gutters, we are ready to help you keep your gutter system working great. If you want to figure out how to collect rainwater this season but aren’t sure what to do, contact us today. We have been helping homeowners in Vancouver and the surrounding area for more than 25 years better manage the gutter system on their home and we are happy to provide you with a free estimate.

The post Using Your Gutters for Rainwater Collection appeared first on nfl.

When it comes to outdoor maintenance, you might devote the vast majority of your time and attention to your landscaping. But your commercial hardscaping is just as crucial.

After all, your property’s curb appeal depends on the condition of your driveways and pathways. Unfortunately, layers of dirt and grime often cling tightly to such hardscapes.

Likewise, once tire marks, oil stains, and grease stains show up, they stay for the long haul. In places that get plenty of shade and moisture, you’re likely to find mold and mildew. Mold can even feed on dirt! And all of these items can bring down your property value.

Hardscapes look especially worn and soiled in the spring. That’s because, during the long winter, salt stains proliferate, and dirty snow leaves filth behind. Plus, water that freezes can create cracks in concrete, and weeds can quickly fill those spaces when temperatures rise.

This post first appeared on https://www.superiorwash.net/

Spring is one of the best times of the year, but it can also be one of the busiest – especially for homeowners. While you might be wishing you could spend these first few weeks of warmer temperatures and sunshine relaxing, it’s more realistic that your time outdoors is being spent on home tasks.

 

If you haven’t done much around your home since this time last year, you may need a refresher on what chores you’ll need to complete to get your home in shape. Here is a list to get you started:

 

On Your Home. These maintenance tasks are important for keeping the structure of your home in good shape over time.

• Assess winter damage and call professionals when needed.
• Clean away and mildew, mold or other biological build-up from your roofing, siding and walkways.
• Inspect your windows for leaks and drafts, and check the screens for wear and tear.
• Clear your gutters of debris to prepare for April showers.

Around the yard. If you have garden beds and trees, they will likely need some work for new growth season.

• Weeding.
• Trim back overgrown bushes and trees, especially those close to your house or vehicles.
• Aerate and seed.
• If you’re planning new garden beds, now is also the time to plan, plant and mulch.

 

Miscellaneous tasks. Of course, your home checklist depends on what you have at home. For example, if you have water features that you emptied before winter, you may need to clean and fill those. If you have a deck, you may need to clean and coat it.

 

Thankfully, you can spend more time outside having fun with solutions to cross some of these tasks out year-round. Homeowners with the GutterShutter system never have to climb a ladder and spend hours clearing their gutters. Make this the year you say “no” to gutter cleaning and yes to the confidence and safety of the GutterShutter system. Contact your nearest dealer today for a FREE estimate.Spring Home Exterior Checklist

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