Using Rainwater To Irrigate Soil Under Awning

Rain barrels are fitted with screens over their openings to keep out debris and mosquitoes.

Using rainwater to irrigate soil under awning.

You can purchase a rain barrel or create one yourself when using rainwater for various purposes. Area to be irrigated in square feet x maximum number of weeks between major summer rainstorms x 5. As the water collects around a home s foundation the soil can only absorb so much before excess water finds a path of least resistance. You can see how the awning protects the door from rain water meaning you can keep the screen open on a rainy day without fear of rain water coming in.

They are usually large containers situated under downspouts to catch roof runoff. When you collect rainwater to irrigate your garden the rainwater seeps deeply into the soil and takes salt with it removing the salt from the area around the plants roots. Irrigation needs vary considerably depending on climate shade soil type and vegetation type but this equation will give you a rough idea of your garden s water demand. To store as much rainfall as possible in your garden soil you can set up a rainwater irrigation system that diverts your roof runoff water directly onto your garden beds or lawn if you prefer.

A more sophisticated system can be built using a sump pump and pcv pipe or flexible black pipe. Ensure the soil is graded to slope. Rain barrels can refer to any container that captures rainwater. The easiest way to utilize the harvested rainwater is to attach a water hose at the base of the container and attach a sprinkler drip soaker hose or other attachment to the hose.

It may even lower your water bill by allowing you to use captured or diverted rainwater to irrigate the lawn flowers and other ornamental plants in your yard. The decision to retract or extend an awning when it s raining is more a matter of responsible judgment and your discretion. Rainwater and a home s foundation don t make a compatible marriage. The awning also prevents water from pooling on the concrete.

Concrete can be troublesome if it slants towards your house as it is going to send rain water straight towards your basement. It s advised to first sketch out the underground irrigation system before digging narrow trenches and installing the pipe with sprinkler heads. But setting up a functional rainwater irrigation system beyond the ubiquitous 55 gallon barrels under the downspout which won t irrigate much more than a flower bed or two is a fairly complicated diy project. Unless its path is diverted the rain that runs off a roof forms a vertical sheet of water that falls around the perimeter of a house.

That will allow the rain water to run off the awning without pooling on the cover.