|
Collecting rainwater from roof run-off is a great way to utilize a natural resource and live off the grid. Many homeowners across the country are using rainwater collection systems to deliver potable water to their homes. If you’re interested in adding a collection system or already have one, it’s important that your roof’s surface is made from materials that are not going to accidentally put toxins in your water. In some cases, you may have to have your home or garage roof in Fort Myers, FL, replaced to keep your drinking and cooking water safe to use. What Is a Rainwater Collection System? Before we get into why you may need roof replacement, it’s important to understand exactly what a rainwater collection system is and how it works. Homes that utilize this type of system to deliver water to the toilets, faucets, water heaters, and other plumbing components in their home are not simply collecting rain water in small barrels installed on the side of a house near the foundation. Individuals who use rainwater as a potable water source are living off the grid and not hooked up to a city water supply. Water is collected in large silo-looking, plastic barrels that can hold thousands of gallons of water. How Is Water Collected? When it rains, water that runs off from the home’s roof is diverted to the barrels. Once it is in the barrels it goes through a filtration process that rids the water of toxins. Filtered water is then accessed when you turn on a faucet, run the dishwasher, or use the washing machine, etc. How Can My Roofing Materials Affect My Water Quality? Rainwater is pure when it falls from the sky, but as soon as it hits your roof it can pick up particles and toxins. Sometimes these particles make it through the filtration system and can end up in your drinking water. Roofs that are made from asphalt or tar can potentially put toxins in the water and cause health concerns. What Is the Best Kind of Roofing Material? If you have a rainwater collection system or are considering installing one, you may want to consider leaving room in your budget for metal roofing. A metal roof is the ideal roof to have with a rainwater system because there are no granules from asphalt or tar that will accidentally be picked up when rainwater runs off the roof. Are Metal Roofs Expensive? The answer to this question is relative. Is a metal roof more expensive than an asphalt roof? Yes. The materials will cost more and the exact cost, including labor, will depend on how big your home is and its elevation. However, it’s more expensive to replace a rainwater collection system that has been damaged by asphalt particles or to pay for medical expenses because of health problems resulting from toxins in the water. If cost is a concern, you could call a water testing company to come out and test the water for roof-specific contaminants. However, even if the tests come back negative for contaminants, you’ll want to continue to have your water tested annually to make sure nothing has changed. Rainwater collection systems are a great way to use a natural resource and save money, but if you don’t have a metal roof you could be putting the occupants of your home at risk. Replacing a garage roof in Fort Myers, FL, may not be as expensive as you think. Many roofing companies offer special financing and have deals that can bring the cost down substantially. To learn more about how your roof may affect the quality of your collected rainwater, call your local roofer today.
Related Articles -
Garage, roof, Fort, Myers, FL,
| 
