Rainwater tanks are an excellent way to collect and store rainwater for various uses. The system works by capturing rain that falls on your roof and channeling it into a storage tank. This collected water can then be used for gardening, washing, and other non-drinking purposes, helping you save money and conserve water.
The first step in rainwater harvesting is collection. When rain falls onto your roof, it acts as a large catchment surface. The roof material matters - metal and tile roofs are most efficient, collecting about 80 to 90 percent of the rainfall. The larger your roof area, the more water you can collect. Even a small roof can collect hundreds of gallons during a moderate rainfall.
The second step involves channeling and filtering the collected rainwater. Gutters attached to the roof edges collect the water and direct it into downpipes. As water flows down, it passes through filters that remove leaves, twigs, and other debris. A first flush diverter is often installed to discard the initial flow of water, which contains the most dirt and contaminants from the roof surface.