With growing talks of mitigating the effects of climate change and the increasing pressure for world leaders to do something about it, ordinary citizens can play a part in making a difference.
Where could be a better avenue to start if not at home? One practice that is both practical and effective is rainwater harvesting. This involves collecting rainwater and recycling it for various purposes.
A vital component of setting up a rainwater harvesting system, eavestrough installation should be part of your efforts toward a more sustainable lifestyle.
Eavestroughs are gutters attached beneath the end of the roof, extending out and over your walls. It is used to catch rainwater or even melted snow as it flows through your roof.
Apart from its pivotal role in rainwater harvesting, it is also an important house installation to keep water away from your home. Thus, it is essential that you enlist the help of a reputable eavestrough installation company to guide you with the set-up as well as its repairs and maintenance.
Aside from being responsible for the proper setup of these gutters, they also provide expert advice on what materials to use and their proper maintenance.
How does it work?
Here’s a thorough breakdown of the three essential phases that make up the entire process of rainwater harvesting with eavestroughs.
Step 1 – Collection Phase
Eavestroughs are generally simple to install; however, it takes meticulous care and attention to strategically place them correctly along the roof’s edges for effective water collection. They should be designed to channel rainwater to downspouts or conduits efficiently. Otherwise, they will fail to serve their purpose.
Step 2 – Storage Phase
Once the collection process is completed, the rainwater will then be directed to storage units, such as rain barrels or tanks. The eavestroughs should be placed in a way that ensures a smooth water flow to these containers to avoid wastage.
Step 3 – Utilization Phase
This is when the water can be used to water gardens, lawns, or other nonpotable uses around the house. Eavestroughs are great instruments to distribute this water to where it is needed outdoors.
Rainwater Harvesting Benefits for the Environment
Rainwater harvesting is admirable and should be practiced in all households. Installing eavestrough supports enough environmental benefits, making it a worthy investment.
It promotes water conservation as homeowners will rely on the town’s water supplies less, saving more freshwater resources. It also mitigates the need to build more reservoirs and eases the burden of water treatment facilities.
For more information on the negative impact of building more dams on the environment, read here.
Additionally, eavestroughs can manage stormwater effectively by channeling these waters to collection points. They prevent excessive runoff, and the chances of erosion and flooding will significantly decrease.
This special gutter also serves as a filter that takes out pollutants that may be present on the surface of the roof, which improves the water quality and becomes typically cleaner than water from natural sources.
Eavestrough Installation Benefits for Property Owners
Although the more important role of rainwater harvesting is for sustainability, it also poses several advantages for homeowners who install them. One of the more practical ones is that it allows you to have more monthly savings for reduced bills.
Since you no longer rely on the water supply from the reservoir for watering your garden or cleaning up your garage, you no longer need to be wary of increased costs on water bills.
Harvesting water through strategically placed collection points also boosts the overall health of your outdoor plants or even improves your landscaping.
For those who pay attention to the aesthetics of their garden or lawn, the consistent water supply will give your plants more vibrancy, making the overall visual of your house appealing. This can actually open more favorable terms for you with the homeowner’s association.
Although it varies, here’s a link to the top five common landscaping guidelines from the Homeowner Association (HOA): https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/5-common-hoa-landscaping-guidelines-bryan-kuester/
Everyone experiences shortages or disruptions of water supply, and harvested water can serve as a reliable backup. Additionally, it can even be a great backup water source for emergencies like fire.
Considerations and Challenges in Water Harvesting
Water harvesting may sound like the ideal choice, but some challenges and considerations may push homeowners to hesitate. While it is cost-efficient in the long run, it entails significant upfront costs when setting up. However, some states offer rebates and incentives to help with the costs.
Learn more about financial incentives and tax credit benefits for water harvesting.
Another thing to consider is that the eavestroughs and the entire rainwater harvesting mechanism are properly maintained.
Several outdoor components, such as leaves, dust, dirt, and debris, can easily accumulate in the gutter, clogging the rainwater’s pathway. Worse, it could also introduce pollution into the water, making it unusable for emergency use.
Lastly, you need to pay utmost attention to your area’s existing environmental policies, regulations, and permit requirements. Noncompliance with these rules could lead to the removal of your eavestrough or the entire water harvesting system. In worst cases, you may be fired for breaking some laws or legislations in the area.
While eavestrough installation is not without its challenges, the numerous benefits it offers far outweigh any potential challenges. We must each advocate for Mother Nature and find ways to contribute to improving our climate conditions, even in small ways.
Simply incorporating sustainability in our daily lives could add significant improvement to our carbon footprint. With rainwater harvesting, we can be essential contributors to a greener, more eco-friendly community.
