How To Collect Rainwater With Your Gutters?
When we talk about gutters, we usually focus on installation, maintenance & cleaning of gutters. However, in reality gutters can be much more than just a storm drain system. One of the big investments that we can make to improve the gutter system is to install a deposit at the end of the downspout to take advantage of the water that they collect.
What are the benefits of rainwater irrigation?
There are many benefits to rainwater irrigation; here we expose some of them:
The greatest advantage of having a water collection tank is that we are making a sustainable and responsible use of a free natural resource that is very easy to maintain.
Although it is not suitable for human consumption, rainwater is ideal for watering garden plants, filling a pool or pond, etc. It must be said that rainwater is perfect for plants. Its mineral load is minimal since it comes from evaporation; and this makes the roots of the plants assimilate it with great ease.
The other great benefit of having a gutter water collection system is that it is easy to install and maintain.
How to install a water collection tank in the gutters?
The system itself is very simple; it is simply a matter of placing a deposit at the end of the downspout. The tanks are usually watertight to prevent dirt from accumulating inside and to prevent insects such as mosquitoes from using it as a place to deposit eggs. The deposit can be in sight or be buried in the ground of the garden; a small pump is installed and a tap that connects to the hose or a drip system. And that is how easy we will have water to water the garden practically all year round.
To prevent many debris from reaching the tank, it is recommended to install it on the upper part of the downspout. A protector that, like a strainer, retains any debris and the largest particles of dust and dirt.
It can also be very useful to install gutter covers throughout the gutter system. In this way we minimize even more the dirt that can access the gutters and finally the tank.
Gutter Maintenance
The gutter system is the greatest asset when it comes to collecting rainwater. It must be taken into account that the amount of water it collects corresponds to the square meters of roof that the house has, the larger the roof, the more water we will collect. It is important to take this fact into account when calculating the capacity of the deposit.
Of course, this type of accessories requires that we do a thorough cleaning and maintenance of the gutters . Dirty or poorly maintained gutters will cause the system to deteriorate quickly. If we do not prevent large particles of dirt from entering the tank, the pump can get clogged in a few months and we will have to remove it and clean it from time to time. The best way to minimize this kind of work is to keep your gutters clean.
In the same way, if we do not maintain our gutters correctly and they show fissures or cracks, the water will come out of them before ending up in the tank.
Taking into account the savings that you will not spend on garden maintenance; You may consider hiring a professional company to visit your home periodically to maintain and clean the gutters. To ensure that your gutter collection system is not clogged, cleaning should be done a minimum of twice a year at specific times; especially in late fall and early spring.
