Benefits of Having a Rain Barrel in Fort Myers & Cape Coral

Of the Earth’s surface, more than 70% is covered by water. Less than 3% of this is fresh water. Subtract the water that is frozen in glaciers and ice caps, moisture in clouds, humidity in the air and soil, and humans are limited to 3/10 or 1% found in the form of lakes, rivers, and streams. The necessity to save the water available to us now seems a little clearer.

Collect Rain from Your Rooftop

Rain is a blessing. It clears the air and keeps our trees, lawns, and crops green and growing. But that same rain runs off impervious surfaces such as parking lots, roadways and roofs, carrying trash, fertilizers, pesticides, oil and other contaminants into our lakes and rivers. Just one quarter inch of rainfall runoff from the average roof will fill a 55-gallon barrel. Attach a hose to the spigot or put your watering can under the spigot to use the water wherever you want.

Save 1,000 Gallons of Water

A rain barrel or cistern is collects rain from your rooftop. The rain barrel is positioned under the downspout of a building to collect the rain that falls on that building’s roof to be used later for lawn and garden watering or washing cars or windows—activities that would normally use tap water. By installing one rain barrel, the typical home can save over 1,000 gallons of water each year (55 gallon barrel). That’s 1,000 gallons prevented from running off into our lakes AND 1,000 gallons not taken from our aquifer. On a larger scale, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage System estimated 40,000 houses with 90 gallon rain barrels will collect 243 million gallons annually.

Rain Water is Naturally Soft

Rain water is good for plants! It is naturally soft and slightly acidic, and plants thrive on it. Rainwater is also free of chemicals such as chlorine, fluoride, salts, and other minerals that tap water contains. Rainwater harvesting is a time-tested practice, dating back to ancient civilizations. Its benefits were recognized and utilized long ago, and they are still applicable to our world today. Rain barrels help to save energy, chemicals, and tax money spent on wastewater purification. They may also reduce your water bill, depending on how much rainwater you collect!

Rain barrels are usually about 40-60 gallons. You can purchase commercially made ones from GCE Gutters. You can also make your own if you have a barrel. The simple parts are available at any hardware store.

Additional rain barrel benefits:

1. Saves water for dry spells.

2. Is warmer than tap water.

3. Reduces electricity costs of running sump pumps.

4. Reduces water and sewer bills.

5. Reduces runoff and helps prevent stormwater pollution.

6. Helps prevent flooding.

Fort Myers & Cape Coral Gutter Company

GCE Gutters is a residential and commercial gutter service committed to providing professional quality service at a competitively low price. Let GCE Gutters show you how we are becoming the area’s finest gutter cleaning, repair and installation company.