How to collect rainwater from roofs

One simple way to collect rainwater is by using a good roof catchment system. It consists of gutters fixed to the roof which drain the rainwater into a storage tank. When it rains, the roof catches the water and directs it into the tank. It’s best to use roofs made from materials like tin or corrugated metal because they collect cleaner water. Thatched roofs can collect too much dirt, which may make the water unsafe. It’s important to avoid roofs made from lead, asbestos, or tar, as these materials contain harmful chemicals that can contaminate the water.

If you’re using a barrel to store rainwater, make sure it’s clean and was never used to store toxic chemicals, like oil or pesticides. Gutters attached to the roof can help direct rainwater into the storage barrel, making it easy to collect and store water for later use.

In many rainwater harvesting systems, gutters play a key role in catching and directing rainwater from the roof to the storage tank. Poorly made or installed gutters often lead to water loss, debris buildup, or overflow, which reduces the effectiveness of the system. So, it’s essential to use good materials and install the gutters correctly to make the system as efficient as possible.

The most common and affordable gutter is the semi-circular gutter. These gutters can be made from galvanized iron sheets or PVC. To make them, metal sheets are cut and bent into shape, creating a channel that can catch water. Bamboo or sisal poles can also be split in half to create simple, natural gutters, which are effective and low-cost.

Also, splash-guards help a lot in a gutter system. A splash-guard is a strip of galvanized iron sheet, bent at an angle and nailed directly onto the roof above the gutter. Its purpose is to prevent rainwater from overshooting the gutter, especially during heavy rain. The splash-guard redirects the water back into the gutter, ensuring that it flows into the storage tank. The gutters are then suspended from the splash-guard using galvanized wires.

To make gutters, start by cutting a sheet of galvanized iron into strips about 2 meters long and 33.3 centimeters wide. The metal strips are then shaped by bending them over a sturdy piece of iron with a curved dip, similar to the shape of a bowl turned on its side. This curve helps form the metal into a channel that can catch and guide water. Hammering the metal strips over this curved form with a wooden mallet makes the gutters smooth and even.

You can shape the gutters in a few different ways. One style has two straight sides meeting at a sharp point, almost like the folded edge of an open book. Another style is more squared, with flat sides and a flat bottom. Lastly, some gutters are shaped into a half-circle. Each shape directs water down to the tank effectively.

Once shaped, the gutters are placed into holders made from sturdy wires bent to fit and support the gutters along the edge of the roof. Gutters need to be installed with a gentle slope so that rainwater flows smoothly towards the tank. For every 10 meters of gutter, it should drop down by about 10 centimeters. This gentle tilt helps the water move quickly, carrying any leaves or dirt along with it, so nothing gets stuck in the gutter.

Sources

• Audiopedia ID: En3120

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