Best Roofing Materials for Rainwater Harvesting

by southshore | Oct 24, 2018 | Sustainability, Storm Damage Service

Rainwater harvesting is one of the oldest methods that you can use to supply your household with water without paying for the water itself. And one of the simplest methods of rainwater harvesting is the good use of your rooftop.

This large area that covers and protects your home can gain an additional beneficial function. Rain falling on your rooftop can be led to run down into tanks for storage. The rainwater can be used for gardens, irrigation, heating inside your home, and even other domestic uses if it gets treated properly.

Initial Considerations

With the right setup, the process of collecting rainwater from your roof is a fairly simple one, but in order for you to use the water, the right steps to proper care and caution need to be applied as well. If you are planning to use your collected rainwater for drinking, for example, installing a filtration system for the collected water is a very important step.

Taking all of this into consideration will help to improve the quality of your rainwater from the moment the raindrops hit your rooftop. The roof is the starting point of all rainwater collection, so in order to ensure the best quality of the harvested rainwater, you should first think about the roof surface itself and the way that surface material might affect the water quality.

The formation of roofing material, location, and other obstacles that might gather on top of the roof can cause contamination of rainwater. It has been proven through studies that certain roofs can lead to cleaner rainwater than others. Roof surfaces that are smooth, angled a little, made from an inert material, clean, and without moss or bacteria are the best for collecting rainwater.

There are certain advantages and disadvantages to each roofing material, so here are a few considerations about the best and most widely used roofing materials for rainwater harvesting.

Metal Roofs

When it comes to metal roofs, as well as roofs in general, some of the best options are galvanized metal roofs, such as steel and aluminum roofs.

These roofs are known to minimize the number of contaminants and pollutants that wind up in your collected water.

Galvanized metals are covered with a layer of zinc, creating a zinc-iron alloy coating, which seals the metal and keeps it from rusting and introducing excessive levels of iron into your water.

In order to further minimize the amount of pollutants that can settle on your roof and, consequently, in your water, it is essential to maintain your roof regularly and wash it every few years. However, along with most roofs, metal roofs can collect water with bacteria associated with soil and therefore should be filtered and decontaminated if you want to use it inside your home and for drinking.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common material used on roofs, and, luckily, they are also a very good option when it comes to rainwater harvesting. One of the main reasons is their uneven surface – it makes it harder for soot and other pollutants and dirt to gather on top of it.

What you will find in the water depends mostly on the age of the roof. Water collected on newer asphalt shingle roofs will contain higher concentrations of DOC (dissolved organic carbon), which is organic, found naturally in water, and not harmful.

However, when combined with chlorine, DOC can produce chemicals that cause the water to be toxic. So if you are using chlorine to disinfect water take caution and try to avoid it.

Additionally, be careful with asphalt roofs installed before 1980 because roofs that old are probably significantly deteriorated and may contain asbestos, which is highly toxic, and therefore not suitable for rainwater collection. All shingles made since then are asbestos free.

Image courtesy of Dori on Wikimedia Commons, published under CC BY 3.0

Image courtesy of Dori on Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 3.0

Clay and Slate Tiles

Clay and slate tiles have become popular choices among many homeowners. Many old houses have these types of roof, as well as an increasing number of new ones.

Clay and slate tiles have many beneficial qualities, apart from their beautiful and distinctive appearance. But are they a good choice for rainwater harvesting?

They surely can be, with some proper maintenance. One of the main things in their favor is that they don’t leave any trace metals in the water.

On the other hand, however, they may form moss easily, which might become a problem and cause the growth of algae as well, leading to water contamination. Another problem is that water absorbs very quickly and easily on these roofs, even before it starts flowing.

However, these minor problems can be easily resolved with regular washing and maintenance. The roof can be painted with a lead-free paint in order to prevent moss and algae from growing and the water from being absorbed by the roof itself. Apart from that, you should clean your roof once a year with a high-pressure washing system which will further prevent moss and algae from gathering, as well as get rid of all the dirt and pollutants.

Final Tips

There are various types of roof surfaces used throughout the world, and many of them, with some proper care and attention, can be used for rainwater harvesting. Whichever roof material you have, if you are collecting rainwater, always try to stay away from lead, even when it comes to flashing and vent seals.

By cleaning and conducting regular maintenance and inspections of your roof you will minimize the amount of dirt, pollutants, and contaminants that wind up in your water. And finally, it is always smart to get rid of the first few gallons of rainfall at the start of a rain and then try to purify the water.

Author

This article is brought to you by South Shore Roofing – no.1 residential roofing company in Savannah.

What our HAPPY CUSTOMERS are saying

Terri Giannattasio

SSR (South Shore Roofing) has a very “Classy” business model. First touch call was with Erica and she demonstrated grand skills, collect data on our needs, received our emailed pics and set up the appointment. SSR sent and email confirming the on-site visit. Luke with SSR sent a text day before visit with his arrival time, picture and informative Bio! Luke texted us to share he was in route. Evaluation and next steps were COMPLETED! CLASSY! Thank you. The G’s

Lee Haight

Professional organization from the top down . Class act to hire for any roofing project

Kaye Torgerson

South Shore replaced our roof this past fall and made the entire process painless. From meeting with our insurance adjuster (as this was for a rental property we own) to keeping us updated with photos, they did an outstanding job throughout. The job supervisor even personally made sure the shingles were tucked under the siding to prevent leaks. All correspondence was courteous and professional. Would definitely recommend.

Steven Bicette

Kile and his team made me very proud,after building my roof,perfect job,i will recommend them to any home owner way to go.

Lisabeth Degnan Silady

My husband spent a lengthy period of time researching potential roofing contractors and brand of material to be utilized. It is a critical investmnt both in terms of structure and cost. We narrowed the search down to three companies. It was a difficult decision, but now that the project is complete, we know we made the best choice. We are delighted with their honesty, professionalism, communication, follow-through, and outstanding workmanship. One note for constructive improvement would be the final nail pick-up (at least on our project). A thorough job is so important for all the obvious reasons. Again – we made the right choice with South Shore Roofing – Kyle Patrick and his entire team are the best. We recommend South Shore wholeheartedly.

Chad Laster

I needed my old roof replaced and was looking for a reputable roofer that I could count on. Ran across South Shore on the internet and saw their trucks around town. They looked very professional so I gave them a call. I was lucky to have the pleasure of talking with the office manger, Casey, who was very helpful and answered all the questions I had. She got the the ball rolling for me. Soon Kyle, the owner, and his crew had me scheduled and were on site shortly after. The roof looks great! I’m always nervous dealing with contractors but this is one that gets the job done right the first time.

Hema Kaviratna

South Shore Roofing just finished, getting our new roof done. It was such a pleasure to work with them, especially our contact person Tyler McGowan. He is very quick to answer our phone calls, emails and text messages. Tyler was very patient with answering all our questions and took care of all our concerns during the project. He and others, Kyle Patrick and Luke Patrick, were very punctual and explained the process well. Working crew was commendable, hardworking, efficient workers and they did a wonderful job! South Shore Roofing worked very efficiently with our insurance company to get the claim going through very smoothly. South Shore finished the roofing job in a timely manner as promised. My house looks very beautiful now!

John Cheatham

I had a roof replaced after a free inspection that revealed hail damage. The workers were quick, efficient, and effective. The edge lines across the roof could not have been straighter had they been laid out with a laser. My vents that went through the roof were painted, from white to black, and visually disappeared. Just an example of the thoughtful attention to detail in their work. The sealant around the mounting points for my satellite dish guarantee it will never leak. I give them my highest possible recommendation. OUTSTANDING!

Hannah Joy-Dinello

We had been looking for a company to come fix our roof after the hurricane last October. After several failed attempts with other companies we finally asked a friend and were referred to South Shore. We met Luke and Tyler and were immediately impressed! They were professional, easy to talk to, and we ended up getting the pristine shingles from all the money we were able to save. The work was done almost immediately and only took a couple of days. Tyler came after it was done to check the work and make sure there were no nails left in our yard. Now we have a beautiful new roof and peace of mind the next time a major storm comes through! We will definitely be reccommending South Shore to anyone that asks!

Alexander Oliver

Thank you South Shore for doing such a great job on my granddads roof! The staff at South Shore were very professional and put him at ease enough to finally get the new roof he needed. We are SO happy that he didn’t try to keep patching it with duct tape and tar. We can rest easy that that roof will last a good long time and its all because of you! Thanks again SOUTH SHORE!!!You are AWESOME!!!!

Amanda Hedrick

South Shore really did make my roofing experience easy. Tyler was prompt with the estimate and very responsive by text and phone. Kyle kept me updated once the project began and the working crew was efficient and cleaned as they went. I had a roof removal with some decking replacement and a new architectural roof installed. It looks great and I highly recommend South Shore to friends and family now. Definitely the team to work with!

Paul Tilson

You won’t find a better roofing company anywhere than South Shore Roofing, definitely a 5 star roofing company. Top quality work delivered very professionally. Superior customer service. Luke and Kyle are the best! Luke was especially awesome with working up the estimate, explaining the options and the entire procedure, and helping with the insurance claims. The installation crew was top notch, hard working, very professional including great clean up afterwards. They even made a return visit a few days later for some finishing details. I recommend South Shore Roofing without reservation to any home owner.

Tom Lawrence

South Shore Roofing was a pleasure to work with and met all our needs in a prompt and efficent manner! If you’re looking for great customer service and a job well done, you won’t be disappointed!!! My wife and I are tremendously impressed with this company and the way they conduct business!!!

Jennifer Estelle

They did a great job. They we’re on time, efficient, did a great job from beginning to end. My yard is heavily landscaped, and I have a pool. They were very careful around my plants, flowers, and pool. They did an excellent job cleaning up during and after. My roof looks wonderful! Staff was very polite, and easy to work with. They even helped me with my insurance claim. Overall wonferful to work with. Would definitely reccomend them for roof work.

Lisabeth Silady

We made the best choice of roofing contractors selecting South Shore Roofing. We are delighted with their honesty, professionalism, knowledge, follow-through, and outstanding workmanship.

Amanda Mendiola

I want to take the time to say how pleased I am with Kyle Patrick on his service with my new home recently we just got into a bad storm and I was looking everywhere up-and-down trying to find a great deal I happened to see A sign posted on Facebook and I called Kyle he was very nice and very professional of what he does and at a reasonable price !!!!thanks to him and his guys I am able to relax a little keep up the good work Kyle ! And I recommend everyone in Savannah area and pool area to give him a call he’s the best in town and he won’t lie or cheat you out of your money !!!!!!!

Lois Maher

The team at South Shore Roofing was fantastic, they were supporting, understanding and helpful.
They worked with my insurance company to get me the best outcome.
The team that replaced my roof were terrific, excellent job. The contractor Shore Shore Roofing sent to replace the interior damage was also terrific. In the repair of interior they found more damage than previously thought which was very discouraging, however they went right to work repairing the damage and billed my insurance carrier.

I am very pleased with total repair of the roof & interior. I would recommend South Shore Roofing.

Samantha

South Shore Roofing provided me with all of my roofing needs. My representative, Tyler McGowan was charming, professional, and extremely helpful in assisting me work with my insurance company in order to get me what I needed – it was almost like I didn’t have to do anything at all! My roof was completed in a timely manner and is everything I imagined. I would hate to imagine where i’d be without it. My old roof was outdated and the siding was busted. Now I have confidence it can weather any storm. My neighbors are already asking about it. Thank you, Tyler! You really know your stuff.

Amanda Hedrick

Jessica Smith

Casey and the team at South Shore are above and beyond professional, timely to reply to inquiries, priced very reasonably, and most importantly do amazing work.
I feel confident recommending this company to anyone who will listen. Tyler did amazing work and left the workspace immaculate upon completion.
We know that Hurricanes are frequent in south GA- and while I hope my roof never needs their services again, *if* it does, they’re the ONLY ones we will call.

Thanks so much for everything.

Lindsay Roberts

South Shore Roofing was amazing to work with! Tyler was very professional and friendly and explained the whole process to me thoroughly. He was always great at responding to my calls and messages without making me feel like a bother. I was so happy with the finished product and will definitely be recommending them to family and friends!!

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Marcena Brinson

I had a very good experience with their rep. He helped me pick out the color, the style, etc. He called me often and returned all calls that I made to him. We had problems with the painters and he got right on it to see that new better ones were hired. My roof looks wonderful and interior work meets my satisfaction! Very good people skills!

Chris Sommers

I’m very happy with this company. I took estimates from three contractors for a brand new roof. South Shore was the most expensive, but I felt better about going with a business that was well established and had already demonstrated good customer service. I made the right choice as the new roof was put up within seven days of signing the contract. The workers were great, and everything was cleaned up very well after the job was completed.

Neal Hamilton

After we encountered storm damage for the first time ever, I had no idea who to call and South Shore was one of the roofers recommended. From the moment I met Luke Patrick I knew my decision was made. His knowledge and experience in dealing with insurance company adjusters made South Shore stand out high above my other bidders. Luke’s efforts to negotiate a full roof replacement v. partial was masterful. Additionally, South Shore agreed to act as the G.C. to handle all other aspects of the remediation work. I HIGHLY recommend South Shore for any roofing needs! I only wish they did commercial work so I could ditch my so-so existing roofers.

Debbie Walker

South Shore Roofing gave me very professional service from beginning to end. I was emailed a picture and brief bio of the estimator who would be viewing my roof. Luke Patrick arrived on time, was very professional and was very knowledgeable. He met with my insurance adjuster and handled all the paperwork and phone calls. It was truly a blessing to have South Shore handle all the details. During the roof process, they kept me informed, answered all my questions and were very reassuring. I highly recommend them.

Daniel Menges

We are so thankful to have come across South Shore Roofing while searching for contractors. Luke went above and beyond, to make sure the whole process was quick and painless. Erica was efficient, making sure the paperwork process went smoothly. Overall, South Shore is a phenomenal company. If you want a professional, hardworking company with great pricing, South Shore Roofing is the way to go!

Kaye Torgerson

South Shore made the process of replacing our roof completely seamless. From meeting with our insurance adjuster when we could not be present to keeping us updated with photos of the work’s progress, they were professional and courteous all the way through. the work they did was top notch and the final product is beautiful. Would do business again in a heartbeat and have already recommended them to neighbors.

Craig Delaney

This was the best experience that I have had with any roofing company. They worked with us from start to finish and never once did we have to have them redo anything. They began work at 7 a.m. as stated in my contact with the tearing off of the roof and was finished with the replacement asking with clean up by 8:30 pm. Awesome job!

John Spotto

An absolute pleasurable experience dealing with South Shore Roofing. From the first contact with Justin, to the last correspondence with Erica at the office and the dealings with the project managers (Brent & Kyle) in between, it has been nothing but a very smooth & professional experience. The new roof looks fantastic and workmanship top notch.
If you need a new roof these are the people to seek out! Highly recommend South Shore Roofing!