If you own a home or have just built a shed, chances are you’ll want to make use of its rainwater collection capabilities. The optimum answer is to instal a rainwater tank at the end of your roof’s downpipes. This post will offer you information to guarantee that your roof is properly prepared and suited for rainwater collection.
Type of Roof Surface
If the water in the tank is going to be used to irrigate your garden, the quality of the water collected isn’t as important. Most roof surfaces, including asbestos-based roofs, are suitable for this. Asbestos that hasn’t been sealed is considered a hazardous environmental pollutant, so make sure it’s sealed using a non-lead sealant. If your rainwater is going to be ingested, though, you’ll need to take extra precautions.
To begin, check to see if the roof surface itself contains any potentially dangerous chemicals or pollutants. To prevent contamination, hazardous materials such as asbestos, uncoated lead flashing, and roofs painted with lead-based paint or primers must be sealed with a non-toxic sealant. You should also inspect for any exposed treated wood on the roof’s surface. The chemical preservatives used to preserve the wood are harmful and can leak into the water, so if this is present, it must be sealed. Another poison that is regularly used on roofs as a waterproofing agent is a bitumen. If the roof surface has been treated with a bituminous product, do not drink the rainwater that has been collected.
Tall Trees and Overhanging Vegetation
It’s preferable to keep leaves and other debris out of the rainwater tank no matter what you’re intending to do with it. Installing a leaf screen in the gutter system, as well as a leaf-shedding rain-head or a first-flush diverter, will assist keep leaves out of the tank.
It’s also a good idea to cut back any overhanging foliage or branches since these might act as perching or roosting locations for birds. This will keep your roof free of more leaves, insects, and droppings than is necessary. Install water filtration on your kitchen taps and anywhere it will be utilised for drinking water.
It’s also a good idea to examine whether any nearby or overhanging flora is hazardous, as poisonous plants’ leaves might contaminate your water supply. If any toxic plants are found nearby and represent a risk, they should be removed or pruned back as soon as possible, with their growth checked for encroachment on a regular basis.
Other Potential Contamination Hazards
Other sources of potential contamination include:
- flues from heaters or furnaces
- overflow pipes from geysers, solar hot water tanks and air conditioners.
- pollutants from nearby chemical spraying and industries such as manufacturing plants, spray painters, quarries and the like.
In the first two circumstances, you should avoid collecting rainwater on that area of the roof. If spraying has recently occurred in the latter situation, it is advised that you detach your water tank from your roof and clean it.
By screening your gutter and employing water tank accessories like leaf eaters, water strainers, and notably water diverters, you can maintain good water quality.
Gutter Pitch
Water can stay in your gutters if there isn’t enough fall from the gutters to the downpipes, allowing algae development and mosquitos to thrive. You may avoid this by ensuring that water flows freely to your downpipe. Adjust the gutter pitch as needed if the water is not flowing efficiently.
When you buy a Tanks Direct tank, you’re getting a top-tier Australian brand with a solid reputation for dependability. Tanks Direct is delighted to answer any further questions you may have about setting up your rainwater tank for high-quality water collection.
For the best quality water tanks, call Tanks Direct.