Once you understand what a rainwater harvesting roof is, it becomes much easier to see why you might want to install one. This type of roof can make your home more sustainable in a variety of ways.
What Is a Rainwater Harvesting Roof?
A rainwater harvesting roof is just as the name implies; it harvests and stores rainwater. You can then use the water it collects for a wide range of household activities, like watering your garden, washing your car or irrigating your landscaping.
Most rainwater harvesting roof setups have five main components: the roof, gutters and downspouts, a first-flush diverter, a storage tank or cistern and a pump and filtration system. The rain falls on the roof and then flows into the gutters and downspouts. From there, the first-flush diverter sends the first few gallons of water away from the storage tank since it usually contains dirt, leaves and bird droppings. The rest goes to the storage tank, which may consist of aboveground 50-gallon barrels or a belowground cistern that can hold thousands of gallons. Any of the stored water that gets used inside the house will go through the pump and filtration system first to make sure it’s clean, safe and free of contaminants.
What Should You Consider Before Installing a Rainwater Harvesting Roof?
It’s typically best to have a rainwater harvesting roof installed when the house is under construction. That way, you don’t have to worry about major structural modifications interfering with your daily life. But this doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade your current roof to a rainwater harvesting style. A licensed roofer can inspect your current setup to see whether it can be safely and efficiently adapted for rainwater collection.
Not all roof styles work well for rainwater harvesting. Some types have a higher likelihood of developing contaminants from chemicals or algae, which can leach into the collected water. You also have to be careful with the pitch of the roof. If it’s not at the right slope, this will reduce how much water collects in the harvesting system. Proper gutter sizing and downspout positioning are paramount, too. The system must have the ability to efficiently capture and transport rainwater during heavy storms without overflowing.
Which Types of Roofs Work Best for Harvesting Rainwater?
One of the best things about rainwater harvesting roofs is that they are compatible with several different roofing materials. This includes metal roofing, asphalt shingles, clay tiles, concrete tiles, rubber roofing and cedar shake shingles. A roofing specialist will know which materials work best and help you choose an option that balances water quality, durability and performance.
What Are the Benefits?
The most notable benefit of a rainwater harvesting roof is how it saves you money. Rainwater is free, so you can significantly reduce your water bills when you use the collected water to water your lawn and wash your vehicles. Plus, if you have stored water, you won’t have to stress about your yard looking brown and dry during drought conditions. Just connect a hose to the system to water the lawn with the stored water.
Capturing the water on the roof can also help lower the odds of flooding around the home’s foundation. Instead of pooling around the house, saturating the soil and eroding the home’s structural stability, the water will go to the storage tank for later use.
Many of today’s homeowners are reducing their homes’ carbon footprint with rainwater harvesting roofs. They provide a reliable way to collect and store free water that you can use for several household and lawn chores. If you speak with a skilled roofer, you’ll learn all about the different types of setups available and whether this type of roof is a good idea for your home. If you live in Mesa, AZ or a surrounding area and need roof replacement services, make your first call to Overson Roofing.