Rain water/New roof Dilemna??

[B-squared]

Looking for some thoughts on a situation that is brewing at the house.

Quite some time ago, I removed the front lawn in favor of a vegetable/fruit garden. My roof drains into the property and I use the run off to fill rain barrels – excess goes into the soil.

Enter potential new roof!

Seems like the most economical roofs are asphalt-based shingles which are impregnated with all manner of toxins designed to keep roof free from moss (herbicides, fungicides, heavy-metals, etc). I’ve read that the manufacturers of these roofs don’t recommend drinking the runoff or using it for irrigation. But even if I don’t collect the run off for irrigation, it will still be dispersing into the soil. Property is too small to “french drain” it away anywhere. The idea of putting my lawn back in or just having ornamentals in the front yard is extremely unappealing. So is plumbing the exterior of the house and hooking to the sewer. I am quite surprised to learn that there aren’t more “green” roofing solutions out there as rain barrels are becoming more and more popular. Are folks that use rain barrels concerned about what they are getting along with the rain? Aside from expensive roofs (slate, metal, tile) does anyone have experience with a different material? And blue tarp has already been suggested ;-) Any other creative and cost effective ideas? I’m all ears :-)

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[clark5080]

Is Steel really that more expensive than a composition roof? What about a filter before you use the water?

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[Talaki34]

http://www.motherearthnews.com/green-homes/eco-friendly-roofing-options.aspx#axzz2MoVxkmQH

Then think about a rain garden.

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[B-squared]

I’m finding that a metal roof is about twice the cost of asphalt-based roof. And i’m not all that convinced that metal roofing is as trouble free as it might seem. sure the metal will hold up, but the installation has potential issues (seams and protrusions). And i have read about sand filters that are essentially live filters that utilize bacteria to clean the water. They seem to be used mostly when people want potable water, and they appear to me to require some care and monitoring. More involved than i am willing to get.

Thanks for the link, talaki34. Some good info there!

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[B-squared]

I’m finding that a metal roof is about twice the cost of asphalt-based roof. And i’m not all that convinced that metal roofing is as trouble free as it might seem. sure the metal will hold up, but the installation has potential issues (seams and protrusions). And i have read about sand filters that are essentially live filters that utilize bacteria to clean the water. They seem to be used mostly when people want potable water, and they appear to me to require some care and monitoring. More involved than i am willing to get.

Thanks for the link, talaki34. Some good info there!

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[JayDee]

B^^2:

I would not worry excessively about the asphalt or composite shingles polluting your rain water for use in your garden. The only likely additive to your shingles is zinc for moss. Not pesticides or herbicides in my opinion. Check with your potential roofing contractor and get the details from the actual manufacturer rather than hearsay. Some roofers use a zinc strip at the top of the roof to discourage moss.

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Contact Seattle Tilth and ask them about using roof water for irrigation from a asphalt composition shingled house — you are not alone, and I’d be surprised if they couldn’t provide you with data.

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If you want to be sure, call up a local lab like Analytical Resources, and ask for a total metals analysis for Priority Pollutant metals. It will cost $165/analysis for Ag, As, Be, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Se, Sb, Tl, Zn and Hg.

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My two cents.

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[Talaki34]

B-squared,

It might be a good idea to talk with a few Contractors/Architects that are currently building to the specs of the LEED program or Passive house Standards, especially since you already have the rain barrels. I think they would be able to give you some immediate feedback or at least provide some guidance as to where your search should begin.

http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19

http://www.passivehouse.us/passiveHouse/PHIUSHome.html

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I am reading the Best of FineHomebuilding Energy Smart Homes (Winter 2013)issue. Firt Article, Is a “pretty good” house good enough? by Michael Maines. Very good read. Really the whole magazine is packed with great info.

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