DIY first flush diverter PART ONE

How to build a roofwasher, otherwise known as a diverter and sometimes called a first flush diverter for harvesting rainwater from a roof. This is part one - there will be much more to follow. This shows the heart of the diverter and how it can be put together with commonly available pvc pipe fittings. Refer to www.slowsandfilter.org and
www.enlight-inc.com/blog/ for more info. There is a picture of the complete diverter on the blog. The inch and a quarter pipe (the one with the bevel) is 2 inches long and the inch and a half pipe is 10 inches long.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• diverter
• parts

[edvac1]

part 2 is done and up.

[hoz49]

your website says 10 gallons water per 100 sq ft should be diverted, why do you use a 55 gal barrel? Must be a HELL of a roof!

[edvac1]

@hoz49 Lots of trees, birds, squirrels, and other wildlife here make for a very contaminated roof surface. Fifty five gallons is barely enough because the rain here is mostly light drizzle which does not wash the roof like the powerful storms in other parts of the country / world. The barrels are very inexpensive - the last one I bought was 20 dollars - the water from the diverter is used to water trees, and is used to fill the 2 ponds ( which are cleaned by slow sand filters).

[edvac1]

@hoz49 Lots of trees, birds, squirrels, and other wildlife here make for a very contaminated roof surface. Fifty five gallons is barely enough because the rain here is mostly light drizzle which does not wash the roof like the powerful storms in other parts of the country and world. The barrels are very inexpensive - the last one I bought was 20 dollars - the water from the diverter is used to water trees, and is used to fill the 2 ponds ( which are cleaned by slow sand filters).

[sparkster1875]

Exactly what I need to build! When is part 2 coming out?

[edvac1]

@sparkster1875 Sorry for the delay on part 2. I have been busy with much needed home repair and maintenance work here; and this has been compounded by some personal issues and a brief illness that have now been brought under control. The house is over 35 years old and very tired and there is still storm damage from 2 years ago ( to roofing ) that needs more repair. I may get some spare time in the next few weeks. . . . .

[edvac1]

The roof here is exceptionally contaminated by leaves, and organic material and rainfall is not typically heavy enough to quickly wash the roof clean; so the diverter is designed to hold over 25 gallons. The 55 gallon barrel is the least expensive - and most convenient way to hold the water.