Sunday, October 31, 2010

Rain Water Harvesting System | How It Save The Environment?

Rain Water Harvesting System How It Save The Environment?

Water is life, without it we could not survive as no life could survive without water. As water is essential, it really is our job to conserve water in order that we won't use up all this resource. Research shows that our water resources is depleting because of pollution and wastage and one way we could conserve water is with a good rain water harvesting system.

Many individuals don't see value of water conservation, and many ask how by conserving water with good rain water harvesting system could help the environment. The answer is very easy. Although water flows right out of the tap, did you know that people need a ton of energy to obtain this water for your household? Energy is necessary to pump and filter the raw water so that it could be channel to your residence and then for safe consumption. If we harvest the rain water, we're also indirectly saving on the usage of unnecessary energy and moreover rain water is offered for you free of charge.

Collecting rain water is pretty easy if you have a good rain water harvesting system. Most house owners could try this easily by collecting water over the gutter system. A fairly easy system could be as fundamental as placing a rain barrel below your gutter down spout. Yet another way is to put a rain barrel in an open space and rain water will be filled up during raining time. This is how simple it may be to collect and conserve water.

Another reason why we ought to conserve water is to cut water bill costs. Never forget that water collectedin the rain water harvesting system needs to be closed and not exposed. This is important to ensure that insects, animals along with other debris tend not to pollute the stagnant water. Usually stagnant water is an ideal place for insects to reproduce and we do not want that to occur. Rain water collected might be used by drinking purposes should you have a good filtering. Researchers have shown if you collect the rain water correctly along with an excellent filter process, it is not harmful to be consumed.

Inside the society now, very little people use water collected with water harvesting system for drinking as they fear it might be contaminated. As such most are used for gardening purposes, washing of cars as well as for sewage use. If we recycle the rain water for gardening needs it's great for the plant and environment as rain water have certain minerals which gives nutrient for the plants growth. People nowadays will be more alert to the key to conserve the surroundings thus a great number of are collecting rain water. This little step that looks simple but it features a big role to saving our planet.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Rain Barrels | The New And Old Way Of Watering Your Garden

In today society, green will be the new way to go. In this 21 century, everything is all totally much about conserving to helps save the planet earth with environmental friendly products or system. That is all good as we need to ensure generation x can have what we have today. One of the ways to assist Nature is by conserving water with rain barrels. This water could possibly be use for your gardening needs. Researchers have shown that in the United States alone, 20% of household water is utilized for gardening needs. This is a pure waste especially if you can recycle the free rain water utilizing a rain barrel system.

Generally in most areas in the US, before a drought there's usually a period of time where you will confront with heavy rainfall. This is usually the best time that you make use of your rain barrels to get the rain water, with this particular time you will be able to save lots of a great deal on water bills as you can used the water collected purely for ones gardening needs. Using this you will be doing your part to save lots of the planet earth.

If you are looking towards conserving rain water with a good rain catcher, but don't desire to invest too much on it, you can actually make your own personal rain barrel. A simple way should be to make use of a large garbage can otherwise you can run to your nearest Home Depot and purchase 55 gallons of plastic drums. On this alone, you can start collecting rain water, bear in mind to put in a screen filter on top to filter debris that may drop in.

The best position to put your rain barrel is near a corner of your home. To distinguish a strategic place, it is advisable to go outside during raining time to observe and you may usually see a corner where the pour of water is much more compared to the others. This will be a strategic place to place your barrels. One additional place will be to place them under your gutter system whereby water flows from your roof to the drain.

With the water collected, it is possible to attach these to your sprinkler and used them for your gardening needs. Collecting rain water using rain barrel for gardening is just not a brand new idea. Many experts have use this centuries ago, it is only that with technology and regular faucet water people forget the time where clean water is scarce. Now even as we tend to be about the green concept, let's help mother nature by conserving water for gardening using rain barrels.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Rain Barrel Diverter | Things You Need Know To Enhance The Working Of Your Rain Barrel Diverter

Rain Barrel Diverter Things You Need Know To Enhance The Working Of Your Rain Barrel Diverter

Among the best methods to help mother earth recycle is by recycling rain water. In that way we are actually conserving water as well as minimizing our water costs. We could use recycle water for gardening, car washing and should they be properly done, we can use them for our laundry. If you live in an area with abundance rain fall, you should utilize this god given free water for ones watering needs. Just collect and harvest rain water utilizing a simple rain barrel. They're easily made when you attached them together there is a simple rain harvesting system. To improve your rain harvesting system, you need a rain barrel diverter, listed here are simple steps you can take to improve your rain barrel.

Filter Attachment - Many people overlook the importance of filter. It's an absolute must to have a filter attach inside your rain barrel diverter. The filter is essential as it prevents debris from entering your barrel. The filter is the first thing that filters out the rain water and without them, most of the water collected will probably be filled up with debris. You can possibly purchase a filter or just make one. They are not hard to make, you can just buy mesh wire in any home improvement center and fixed them at the conclusion of your catchment system. It's great to find the finer filters to ensure that you trap smaller items like insects from getting into your barrel. You can also use stockings being a filter. A filter also ensures that you prevent mosquito from entering your barrel and breeds.

Hose Attachment - Usually if you opt for a rain barrel, they comes with a hose attachment. The use of hose attachment is always to attach your hose to some spigot at the bottom of one's rain barrel diverter. The hose attachment helps it be simpler also to attach things together, especially if you are considering adding more barrels. Sometimes, you'll need multiple barrel thus you will need hose attachment to attach them together.

Downspout -The 3rd and very last thing to ensure your rain harvesting system is good is always to fasten a rain barrel diverter to the downspout. A rain barrel diverter kit is pretty cheap and common generally in most hardware stores. Their use is to remove the situation of water pooling at the bottom of your rain barrel. This is important, when your barrel is overflowing as well as your catchment system is receptacle, so by using the diverter water will flow towards the downspout and also to the waste channel. This is very important as if you don't possess a diverter the overflow water might be damaging to your house especially to the foundation of your property.

So I have told you how to enhance the working of your rain barrel diverter therefore i hope that you will follow my above tips to make your components better.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Rain Barrel | How To Maintain It

Rain Barrel How To Maintain It

Rain barrel is very superb way to help mother nature in recycling free rain water. We not only assist to save water, but additionally indirectly this may lead to saving water costs. It is just like hitting 2 birds with a stone. Creating this technique is very not too difficult and they are incredibly lower in maintenance if you how to take care of it properly. It is like a onetime setting up plus a lifetime of usage. Here, I will talk about the constant maintenance on your own rain barrel so that you will could pro long its life.

So when you are beginning your rain barrel system, it is crucial that you just ensure your barrel is clean, especially if you use recycle barrels. Wash them properly to ensure that all residual are removed. My suggestion is always to let professional cleaners do this. Once this is accomplished, you do not have to scrub your barrel so thoroughly again. To maintain your barrel, you need to clean it with non-toxic cleaner twice a year. This is the maintenance tip you have to do to make sure that your barrel serve you well in long run.

Another maintenance tip you have to adhere is you must clean your rain barrel monthly, it is to ensure you do not have any algae or fungus growth in your barrel. This is also important as you want to counter act your barrel being a mosquito breeding ground. In case you are residing in 4 season climate you will mostly not use your barrel during winter. During this time period, it's good that you “winterize” it. This is a good maintenance to your barrel, and that which you do is you empty your barrel and flip them upside down. The main reason putting them inverted is to ensure that there's no water left towards the bottom of the barrel which may freeze and crack your barrel.

The forth tip on maintaining your rain barrel is you'll want to check your catchment system every so often. That is to make certain there is no debris clogging up the entry areas and water flows at maximum capacity. This can be done relatively simple either by flushing or simply dismantle the bottom in our catchment and throw out any debris.

The final tip to maintain your rain barrel should be to also look at your gutter system. Up to now all we discuss was on the barrel, you will have to also maintain the gutter system which is the primary entry directing rain water into your barrel. This can be done easily if you check them occasionally and remove the debris out.

If you follow my above tips, maintaining your rain barrel is an extremely simple task that will not take high of your time, it's great that you do this so that our rain barrel will serve you long and provide you will maximum output and less hassle.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Rain Water Harvesting System | 10 Point Tips To Consider For Rain Water Harvesting

Rain Water Harvesting System 10 Point Tips To Consider For Rain Water Harvesting

Rain water harvesting system originated during the Roman times. The Roman has developed an organized solution to harvest rain water. Today this method is widely use by us as we know that harvesting rain fall is beneficiary towards the environment and could save a good deal in water bills. Usually water harvested is use for gardening. I've think of a 10 point time for people to take into account when they would like to harvest rain water.

1.When you are going to install a rain water harvesting system, it's important which you find a nice cool spot to burry your tank. An excellent temperature to bury the tank reaches places in which the temperatures are 10 degrees Celsius is the better as only at that temperature the bacterial growth is minimum and this make sure the water collected do not turn yellowish.

2.One other good pointer is the fact that always plan the rain water harvesting system together with your architect. It will be better is you obtain specialist and opinion plus in case you are doing renovating work or getting into new homes, to install the system so you do not need to stress later.

3.The very best tank for rain water harvesting product is a tank that confers with BS8515 2009 regulation. I advise people to acheive it right in the beginning in order to get the approval by council people of your states.

4.Should your rain water harvesting product is not put in place near most of your drainage, it is advisable to dig a hole as a soak away to the overflow water on the tank. That is to make sure that overflow water features a place to operate to which ultimately cuts maintenance costs.

5.Ensure that the pump you acquire for the rain water harvesting system is a floating system pump. This can make sure it skims the cleanest water just below the outer lining.

6.Make sure that the floating pump you acquire features a floating switch. This will make sure that if your tank dries up, you won't burn up itself. This will be significant as we can't confirm the tank that regularly especially during summertime when rain fall is shorter.

7.Before putting the tank in, make sure to check on the grounds you might be installing the tank. Check for underground water system. If you were to realize that the place has underground water, it'll be good should you concrete the tank in to ensure that it will not float particularly when the tank is empty.

8.A great rain water harvesting system, you should make sure the down pipes from your roof top gutter are connected and channel for your rain water harvesting system. This can make sure all water is directed to some single point source.

9.Ensure that you only channel rain water from roof top as channeling water on ground level isn't good. Most ground water is contaminated in a way as you don't understand what water has been exposed to.

10.I recommend one to use a smart header tank inside your rain water harvesting system. Numerous relating to this is the fact that it saves a lot of electrical costs as well as stronger compare to other.

I really do hope that my about pointer would help you implement an excellent rain water harvesting system.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Rain Catcher | Why Mosquito Loves Rain Catcher So Much

Rain Catcher Why Mosquito Loves Rain Catcher So Much

Mosquito could fly very far looking for food also to breed. The female will feast upon blood whereas the males will prey on plants. The females will search for still water to lay eggs your rain catcher is the greatest ideal place to do that thus it is necessary that you simply ensure this doesn't occur. You may not wish your barrel to become a breeding site.

Your outdoor rain catcher is often a perfect habitat for this pests, these annoying pest will feed on your blood at dawn and dusk. The fear of mosquito is we are afraid they carry disease like malaria or West Nile Virus which is deadly to folks. It is therefore extremely important that we make sure and we don't let our rain catcher be their nesting ground.

It's relatively simple to prevent pests from breeding in your rain catcher. Usually rain catchers that people buy possess a preventive way of mosquito from breeding. They're manufactured in this way. Should you see mosquito larva in rain catchers those are likely to be self made barrels. We are not saying that you should not make a rain catcher yourself but if you're you have to know how to find measures and designs one that won't invite disaster. Self made barrels are dangerous in a fashion that they could lead to contamination on the water by bacteria. If you want to make your own barrel, please make sure that you know what you're doing and take the appropriate measures to make them safe.

A rain catcher looks quite simple to make and the average person, they'll believe you just need just go out and get yourself a 60 gallon water barrel, cut an opening onto it and let the water flow down from the down spout. If you believe such as this, you are inviting much trouble. You're actually inviting mosquito to lay millions of eggs in your barrel. The best method of prevention if you insisted in using a self made barrel is by using a screen to cover up the top of the barrel. You have to seal this nicely and also the screen should be fine enough to ensure mosquito could not move through.

A best material for the screen for the rain catcher is definitely ladies stockings. These are very fine with no mosquito could go through that. The downside of using stockings is they could tear off easily thus it is necessary that you simply check them regularly and replace those which are torn. One other way is to buy a specific unit barrel which willkeep the pest away. This can be achieved by buying a unique downspout kit in your local hardware shop that seals the hole and only permit the water to go through. This special kit swill only allows water to undergo the hole and not the pest mosquito.

I would say that self made rain catcher is a good way to harvest water for the garden watering needs butyou have to just be sure you do your very best self to ensure your barrel isn't a breeding ground for this little pest that looks so harmless.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Rain Barrel | Are Plastic Rain Barrels Good ?

Rain Barrel Are Plastic Rain Barrels Good ?

Many individuals know that using rain barrels to reap water is a very good way to store water as well as costs. Many people uses plastic barrels just for this, but are plastic an excellent material to get rain water?

Some serious rain water harvester commented that plastic rain barrels usually are not practical for being use for water harvesting. For me personally I collect rain water making use of 60 gallon plastic barrels. We and a lot people feel that it is better to collect rain water using plastic rain barrels than the actual rain water tank because on the downspout positioning. For most people who harvest water using downspout, many of them is position in a way that you can only use rain barrels rather than tanks.

To me, I feel that making use of rain barrels are a good way, that you can channel additional water for some other barrels when they are full easily using pipes. A lot of people who uses plastic rain barrels uses the downspout. Either they channel the rain water to new barrels when full or divert the water to the ground. Both is possible to accomplish this, if while using the plastic rain barrel.

This is actually the reasons why professional rain harvester hate using plastic rain barrels, they reason that rain barrels completed fast and the rest of water is wasted if you don't have enough barrels to attached with. They also say if we were to carry out a suitable good storage tank system, no water could possibly be lost. This is why professional harvester condemn using this method.

Although some people might says that plastic rain barrels are impractical, there are solutions to make sure they are more practical and efficient. Firstly, Personally i think that one could use several barrel. After sometime you can know roughly simply how much water could possibly be stored and you also attach more than a barrel to them using pipes. With this, when one barrel is complete, it automatically flows and fill the following barrel. With this no water are going to be wasted, but maybe it's quite expensive for keep purchasing barrels. Another good way is to put together an overflow, this really is good way as if the rain barrel is full the excess is going to be channel to your garden.

Most people garden uses deep watering system thus whenever you channel excessive flow of water towards the garden instead of to the drainage. Whenever you try this, be sure that the overflow is directed to the part of the backyard that requires most water. There isn't any point directing water to the part where the soil couldn't soak water. It will be a total waste of effort.

Came from here you can say that using plastic rain barrel is good and useful. The impractical is only going to comes once the person is not able to do it properly especially when you set up thus ending up with a problem of excessive water being channel to the drainage.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Rain Water Harvesting System | The Roof Harvesting System

Rain water harvesting system is a very good environment saving to recycle precious water to be used despite drinking. Many countries actually promote rain water harvesting, another method of harvesting rain is through the roof system.

The roof harvesting system in rain water harvesting system is a way whereby rain water is collected and harvested from the roof catchments, and then diverted and stored in rain barrels and tanks. This is one of a method used by people to harvest rain water. The main idea of catching rain water using the roof technique is because they are simple techniques to be implemented at minimum costs.

Benefits of Roof Harvesting System

The roof harvesting system in rain water harvesting system is beneficiary because firstly water demands are increasing every year due to global warming. This rain water harvesting system also reduces the run off of water which will choke storm drains, which could also results to floods. Thus by harvesting the rain thru roof system, water does not have to flow down to storm drains, and floods the roads.

It is also stated that rain water harvesting system with roof system also decrease ground water pollutions and indirectly increase the quality of ground water. Many people now also feel that this method of harvesting also decreases soil erosion, especially on hilly areas.

Advantages of The Roof Harvesting System

There are many advantages of using the roof harvesting system, firstly water collected through the rood system are better quality compared to other methods, the water collected tends to contain less minerals thus very suitable for watering of plants and our lawns. Secondly also this system is required very minimal costs to set up and relatively very easy to maintain. Not much is needed for the roof harvesting system, because most of the houses have a good gutter system, we are just using what are available. In costal areas, this method of rain harvesting is more encourage because rain water collected are better quality and when they are recharge to ground water, the salinity is reduced further and this helps us to maintain a better balance between fresh saline water. In island areas on the other hand, roof harvesting system provides good freshwater for domestic usage.

Tank Storage of Rain Water Collected

I feel and would suggest that the best way to store rain water collected from roof harvesting system is with the use of storage tank or rain barrels. It is best that the storage tanks not to ne located too close to any source of pollution like septic tanks, drainage as we fear that this water may sip up to our storage tank. It is also logical that the rain barrel or tanks to be located in lower ground so that water could be stored and filled in easily. We must also install an overflow pipe or diverter that will flow to appropriate non flooding areas. This is vital as sometimes our tanks are filled and we do not want an over flooding which will in long run damaged our foundation of the house. We must also ensure that the rain barrels are easily accessible for cleaning purposes. Although there are filter installed, once in awhile we need to wash the tank or barrel.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Rain Catcher | It’s All In The Filter

Rain catcher is a form of rain harvesting system, there are many types of rain catcher in the market today as people sees the importance of recycling free rain water for usage. An average American can safe a huge amount of water bills by rain harvesting.

The Filter

The most important thing in any rain barrel is the filtration unit. Without proper filter installed in your rain barrels system water collected are less valuable, it cannot be used for landscaping, laundry, toilet flushing and no portable water demands. If you do not have good filter installed debris will be plentiful and water will become smelly and such water is useless. The tag is “ It’s all about the filter”

There are many kinds of filters in the market, in finding a perfect filters there are a few aspects you need to take into consideration.
· How big is your pipe?
· The type of debris ? Am I looking for filters for big particles or fine debris.
· How easy to assemble?
· How often do I need to clean the filters?

The Types Of Filters

Rainus Filter

It is a squares filter and is installed in the lower section of the downpipe, It is small, very easy to be installed and relatively very reliable. It is also hassle free thus making cleaning easy. There are many section in the filter thus rainwater have to pass through several section before accumulated in the barrel. The upper of the Rainus Filter is has a baffle, where water is calmed in small volume, water will pass thru the sump lip and distributed evenly across the cascade which is where the first filter is located. This cascade will filter out big particles like leaves, and big debris. Below the cascade there lies the second filter. This filter will filter finer debris and can filter out particles the size of 550 microns. The advantage of this filter is that the big particles and debris is ejected out to the front making cleaning particularly easy.

Graf Universal external filter

This is an advance type of filter giving maximum filtration with maximum water quality yield. This is the expensive filter, thus making it very good, and guarantee 95% of water yield if used. Once fitted they are relatively low maintenance due to its special self cleaning technology. This is why this filter costs more. They are TUV safe and tested, it is also childproof as it is lockable.

I hope that by giving you two model to compare, you will know more about the rain catcher filter and you could use both as a comparison when you are choosing for a filter to be installed.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Rain Barrel Diverter | Rain Spout Diverter Unit

A rain water diverter is a simple gadget that is installed to ensure that when your rain barrel is full, no more water is channel to the rain barrel and this small gadget will stop water and channel water back to the old gutter system. This rain barrel diverter is a must as imagine the damaged you will have to boar of overflowing of water will create big problem and damaged to your foundation of the house.

The Y Down Spout Rain Barrel Diverter

This is the most common and best diverter unit, it is relatively simple and works wonders.
This is how a Y down rain barrel diverter looks like, very simply designed and could be easily available in the market. There are two sizes, the 2’ x 3’ and the 3’ x 4’, you buy what suits your gutter system. You can see that the diverter is Y shaped and the idea is that you can switch if off when your rain barrels are full and the gutter system and water will flow to the drainage instead.
There are many kinds of rain barrel diverter in the market and I am just highlighting to people on the importance of having this unit to prevent damages.

The Flaws Of Rain Barrel Diverters

There is no perfect products in the market, although I said that is advisable to have a rain barrel diverter installed, the limitation which I have come to see are that firstly there are two flaps attached to the rain barrel diverter (as above), so many people do argue that if you are serious about harvesting rain water, why do you need a rain barrel diverter, just add another tank or rain barrel. People argue that it defies the reasons, if one is serious in rain harvesting why are we diverting water back to our drainage?

Secondly, they are ugly. Most rain barrel diverter has many hoses and pipes attached to the downspout thus imagine having many attachments in front of your houses. Although many manufacturers are trying to limit the number of downspout now but they could still be easily seen from a distance because of their sizes.

So again, you might have to weigh the above pros and cons of rain barrel diverter and decide on yourself on whether or not to have one installed in your rain harvesting system.

Rain water harvesting system

Many countries see the importance of rain water and many are promoting and educating its people on how to harvest precious rain water that will go to waste. Although water is cheap to most countries, but imagine if you have a good system of harvesting rain water, and averagely saving 14,000 gallons of water yearly, how much will you save long term in Rain water harvesting system is long term investment, you just have to create a system that works for you and that system will run for long term. You must always remember, water is not god given. It is a form of resources and like all resources in the world, it will deplete and we must treat this precious resource with respect and not abuse it.

A Simple Rain Water Harvesting System

Many people have the misunderstanding that rain water harvesting system are expensive to set up and installed. This is relatively not true, yes some complicated system are costly, but you do not have to invest in those expensive system unless you want. I always tell people to start with a simple system, and if you like it gradually and slowly modifies it. It is as simple as that. I am going to talk on a simple rain water harvesting system here.
The simplest rain water harvesting system is by using rain barrels that will costs you around $90 to $120 depending on the sizes. You can view my other blog for this. Here we are going to talk about a more extensive system a step above using rain barrels. There are (4) steps in a rain water harvesting system, the first step is capturing, then conveyance, storing the rain water and lastly the distribution.

Capturing Rain Water

All rain water harvesting system catches the rain water using the roof, common sense will tell you that a slop roof system captures rain water better than flat roof. Water from the roof are channel to the gutter and usually there are (4) points of collection channels. The most important aspect to ensuring a good capturing system is clearing all debris ensuring that rain water collected are free from debris. A relatively simple way is installing a screen to the channels to capture large debris from entering. You can buy screen in any convenient store and what I usually buy is the typical traditional big window screen. This will ensure that particles will not enter and you do not have to clean that so regularly. If you buy fine screen, you sometimes have to clean the screen frequently to prevent blockage. By having a screen to capture large particles, water harvested are free from debris, this does not mean you do not have to clean the tank, in which you still need to do but in a yearly basis.

Conveyance

The second step is rain water harvesting system is the conveyance, it means getting the rain water from the roof to the tank. A simple way of doing this is to place the tank directly under the canal. This cut the rain water traveling time to very short thus it is very cheap. Most people choose to bury a tank, a good conveyance system consists of underground piping that moves the water from canal to the tank. We must fully use nature law of gravity and water pressure. Both will push the water from the canal to the pipe and to the tank. Most material I used in my simple rain water harvesting system is easily available in our convenience store. In this we use the 4 inch black flex pipe.

Storing of Precious Water Collected

The third stem is storing of our rain water, the most basis and cheapest way is using the plastic polypropylene tanks. They are easily available and cheap storing system. There are many sizes available thus you will need to choose one that will suits you nicely. In my opinion, a good size of tank is 1700 gallon tank which will take up around 10’ x 20’ space (small compare to the price you would be paying in water bills). You can start with this and you can upgrade it by adding more tanks later. You can be amaze that this small tank would help you water your lawn for one month during draught.

Distribution.

This is the last step for the whole rain water harvesting system and also the most costly to be implemented. In this last step, we need to purchase a pump to pump out water collected. The cheapest will be to invest in a ½ horse power pump, the pump must be submersible and have a float. This pump will be hooked to the places where you want the water to be channel, mostly the sprinkler system or an outdoor water faucet. In purchasing a pump. Also makes sure that the pump you purchased have an auto shut-off, this is very important to prevent burning off when there is no water to pump.

So from here you can see that it is relatively very simple to harvest water and all can be done by you without having to bring in experts. I do hope that this will give you a very basic idea of rain water harvesting system so that you could help mother earth to conserve and recycle water.

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Rain Barrels For Sale

Rain barrels primarily function is to collect and harvest precious rain water to be used. A good system of rain barrels wills safe a household thousand of dollars. So what do we look for when we want to find the perfect rain barrels for sale. Rain barrels can costs as little as $5 and to more than $100 depending on its material and types. A small plastic container may costs around $5 in a garage sale.

Rain Barrels For Sale Different Sizes Of Rain Barrels For Sale

60 Gallons Plastic
This is the usual average size of rain barrels that are for sale in the market. These are the economical version, usually made up of high density plastics. They are very save, ideal and good system to collect rain water. This model of rain barrels comes fitted with spigots, brass pots, standard male garden hose and a stainless steel cover and a screen preventing debris from dropping in. The cost of this average model is below $100.00.

80 Gallons Plastic
This is the larger version of the above model, made from high density plastic. The different of them are just the size and usually they come with UV Protection or resistance. This 80 gallon version are slightly more expensive and sells in the market for around $120.00
160 Gallons Of Terracotta Rain Barrels With Planter
This model is gaining its popularity, it’s because on the nice design and made from terracotta. Amphora sells this terracotta rain barrels. They hold 160 gallons and it looks like a vase design. Like I said they are made from terracotta clay and the best features of this model that makes it sellable is it has a small integrated vase plant bowl on top acting as the cap. You can plant small plants for decorative purposes. Rain water is collected from the gutter and channel to the rain barrel with a small pipe. They are also UV resistance and have a ¾” internal thread making it relatively easy to mount on to the hose. They are heavier compare to the plastic version thus making them wind resistance.

60 Gallons Wine Weathered Rain Barrels

Another type of rain barrels for sale in the market is the wine barrel type, the look like weathered old wine barrels. Usually they come in the 60 gallons size and mode from wood. They look much prettier thus popular especially as a decorative item at their lawn. Like any rain barrels, they comes with the standard fittings like bib hose, overflow elbow, screens and adaptor. As they are the wind barrels and made from wood, they are relatively heavy compare to other types thus making shipments costs more expensive compare to other models.
There are many other types of Rain barrels for Sale in the market, but the above are the standard and most sorts after type people look for.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

rain barrels

Rain Barrels
What are Rain Barrels?

Water is gold so we need to conserve and harvest rain. The best way of doing this is by installing a rain barrel system. Rain barrels are simple barrels storage to collect rain waters. They are usually installed and rain water are collected from the roof gutter, and they are flowed to the barrel. It is relatively a very simple system that benefits people as if one does not collect the rain water, they are left to waste to the drainage. The standard size rain barrel are the 55 gallons of vinyl material drums. In it there is a screen to keep debris and insects out so water collected are clean from debris. Usually a pipe is installed in the roof gutter to direct the water to the rain barrel.

Why do we need to store water, the advantages of rain barrel.
Most of us have lawns, do you know that during summer 40% of our water bills are to water our lawns. The main reason we need this simple storage system is to collect rain waters for us to use for other purposes so that we could use our pipe water for something more important. The water collected from rain barrel provide us with free soft water for us to water our lawn, wash our cars and just to fill up our swimming pools. In any normal household, if we install this relatively simple system, we could actually save up to 1300 gallons of water a day. Imagine this huge supply of water, that you safe that could help many more people especially during draught seasons.

There are many more ways to use soft waters collected in our rain barrels if we are creative, you can use the water as stated above but I have also use rain water collected in my rain barrels for toilet flushing system. Its funny that being in the 21 century now, we goes back to what our ancestors are doing, that is fetching water to flush toilets. But to think of it, why not, the are water that are going to be wasted after all and its good exercise.

Collecting rain water in rain barrels also help us conserve the earth. With so much pollution now we need many environmental friendly products or ways to curb us from worsening the problem. Water is the most efficient solvent to us like wind and air so water can be the main solvent to curb pollution.