Rainwater harvesting system is an eco friendly system that harvest rainwater for industrial or residential use. It is a very simple yet important system that comprises several key components such as the rain gutter, downspout and the collection tank. In some cases, a pump is installed to deliver rainwater to other locations.
Besides collecting rainwater for later use, rainwater harvesting system component such as rain gutter also serve important roles in each building.
As we normally know, rain gutter channels rain water from the roof edges and funnel rainwater to a downspout and finally to the drain. The main purpose of a rain gutter is to protect a building's foundation by channeling water away from its base. It removes the constant and direct impact of rainwater flowing from the roof down to the ground. The gutter also helps to reduce erosion, prevents leaks in basements and protects painted or stained surfaces by reducing exposure to water, and provides a means to collect rainwater for later use.
Gutters and downspouts - the vertical sections that send runoff down to the ground - are made out of aluminum, vinyl, galvanized steel, stainless steel and copper. Metal Rain Gutters are the most preferred gutter type in terms of durability, and long term maintenance cost.
Stainless-steel gutters are strong and rust-free, and maintain their high sheen for years. But as with other high-end custom materials, the drawback is high material cost. For this reason, galvanized-steel, aluminum or vinyl gutters are the predominant varieties. Steel and aluminum gutters are the types most homeowners choose. Galvanized-metal gutters are the most economical. Metal gutters can stand up to ladders and fallen branches better than aluminum.
PVC gutters may be the cheapest among the other materials but PVC can get brittle and crack under direct sunlight and weather conditions. PVC Gutter may need to be replaced or repaired in less than 5 years. In addition, PVC gutters are often not strong enough to hold on weight of ladder.