Homestead water systems: Collection Part 1

[All Talk]

I often wondered if in the piping by putting in a layer of astroturf like in the bottom of a gold miners sluice box would catch debris before it reached the barrel

Good idea. Made me think of the gutter screens on my house -- they are some kind of thick foam like mesh that seem to catch a lot of stuff. Can probably buy that and the big box and configure as a debris screen.

[xdpatriot]

I've looked and researched the Internet for quite some time on collecting rainwater for DRINKING AND COOKING off of a shingled roof. Some say its ok, some say don't do it. Does anyone here have any actual experience drinking rain water from a roof with shingles? I would think it would be fine for washing clothes, bathing, gardening, just not sure about consuming it.

[1Admin]

Filter it through a drip filter.

The screen on the top of the barrel will get any residual shingle "gravel". Don't draw off the very bottom of the barrel.

Then filter it.

[xdpatriot]

Filter it through a drip filter.

The screen on the top of the barrel will get any residual shingle "gravel". Don't draw off the very bottom of the barrel.

Then filter it.

Thanks a bunch

[rockriver]

I've located 2 more rain barrels.
should get them this coming week.

take a shingle. break it and look at composition.
asphalt oils, felt, fiberglass, granules. add in a little algae, dirt, bird poop, tree sap.
but... as ld said... I'd drink it if it goes through a good filter.
if your roof is "walkable" or accessable. i'd suggest a cleaning once a year to assist the filtering process.

planning on adding the new rain barrels to a metal barn roof. not under trees! (includes the above mentioned algae, dirt and poop!)
there is no current gutter. metal hangs over without bracing for several inches... I haven't figured out the gutter support system yet! any ideas?

[xdpatriot]

I've located 2 more rain barrels.
should get them this coming week.

take a shingle. break it and look at composition.
asphalt oils, felt, fiberglass, granules. add in a little algae, dirt, bird poop, tree sap.
but... as ld said... I'd drink it if it goes through a good filter.
if your roof is "walkable" or accessable. i'd suggest a cleaning once a year to assist the filtering process.

planning on adding the new rain barrels to a metal barn roof. not under trees! (includes the above mentioned algae, dirt and poop!)
there is no current gutter. metal hangs over without bracing for several inches... I haven't figured out the gutter support system yet! any ideas?

I always though PVC pipe with metal straps screwed into the over hang would work well. You'd have to rip the PVC down the middle with a saw. My wife and I have discussed this and will try it when we get ours set up.

[webhouse]

I installed a rain collection system that holds about 14,000 gallons of water in 3 tanks underground. I have asphalt shingles and the downspouts from every side of the roof and leaders flows into the tanks. There is a filter screen that all the water goes thru and I clean that once every two weeks or so. I asked the manufacturer if there should be any treatment or cleaning of the tanks and he said just use a floating pool chlorination system to keep the mold and fungus to a minimum. Other than the fact that the system is already in place and not easily alterable, can anyone make suggestions on what is the best plan for keeping this water useable if the need arises? I am not thinking of drinking the water directly and would use water filtration prior to drinking. I think the tanks were made by Darco.