Aspahlt Roof and Rain Barrels.

Woodpecker · #1 04/11/10, 10:30 PM

I've been thinking latley that I probably shouldn't be watering my vegtables with the rain water from my ashpalt roof. I found this link about it too, http://www.maeoe.org/habitat/project...ls_edibles.php. Seems like there is some debate over it. I do have flowers I can water with it.It kind of defeats the purpose though but I want to use the rain barrel safely. What do you think and what do you use your barrel for? tyia!

PrettyPaisley · #2 04/11/10, 10:55 PM

At first I think, great-there is absolutely no way to escape chemicals, and I just wasted $60 on 4 barrels and $50 on the supplies to make rain barrels next weekend.

But then I think about the tap water, how it's filtered, chlorinated, pouring out of a hot garden hose lined with BPA and I *know* there is no escaping chemicals.

So should we just wait for rain? None of the 3 choices seem ideal.

Paquebot · #3 04/11/10, 10:56 PM

Note that there is nothing presented to back up the claims. The author even admits that. Just about everything mentioned as being bad is either already in the soil naturally or falls during an ordinary rainfall. In short, it's an interesting presentation not confirmed by any facts. I have asphalt shingles, zinc roof valleys, zinc gutter hangers, zinc chimney flashing, two plastic rain barrels, a big vegetable garden, and no worries about the added trace minerals in the water.

Martin

beaglebiz · #4 04/12/10, 06:34 AM

anyone have a link for home made rain barrels?? I saw some at Sam's club for about $50, and thought there must be a better way.
The water would be harmful to animals like chickens in a pinch I suppose??

Johnny Dolittle · #5 04/12/10, 06:43 AM

Well here in Pennsylvania the Dept. of Enviromental Protection requires removed asphalt shingles to be disposed of in a landfill.... if they are so toxic then why allow us to use them in the first place.

Callieslamb · #6 04/12/10, 06:46 AM

I would worry about the wild bird pooh in the rain water more than the chemicals. That rain, if not put in a barrel would go where? Does that mean the soil around your house is toxic? I think people are just chemical-freaking right now in their quest for perfection. How much chemical leaches from the roofing? How much do your garden plants take up? How much of the actual plant do you eat?

blooba · #7 04/12/10, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beaglebiz

anyone have a link for home made rain barrels?? I saw some at Sam's club for about $50, and thought there must be a better way.

Actually $50 is kinda reasonable, i have seen them go for $100-$200 someplaces.

geo in mi · #8 04/12/10, 08:49 AM

"Summary: The consensus is that there is not a clear consensus. There are significant and reasonable concerns about using rooftop harvested rainwater for drinking or watering food plants. To paraphrase a famous adage: Caution is the better part of good health. You'll have to weigh this information and should probably gather more before making your own choices and decisions. There are many variables to consider, including what part of the country you live in and what your roof is composed of. You can certainly have your water tested, though I suspect that is a costly procedure. [Note: If you can send or direct me to evidenced findings specifically about the use of rooftop harvested rain on edible plants by a credibile source, I would appreciate it.]"

The above was extracted from the referenced website. That about sums it up: That you alone have to decide for yourself. Note: The phrase, "Caution is the better part of good health." was written in red. Mamma used say, "When in doubt, don't." Both work for me.

For the person who wants to do further investigation about chemicals I would suggest the NIOSH website. It has lists of chemical names and exposure values, etc, etc, in a downloadable form, and a ready reference listing for the ones considered to have immediate hazards.

geo

Wis Bang 2 · #9 04/12/10, 09:11 AM

Asphalt was not regulated as a hazardous material [for transport] until the DOT decided that elevated temperature products required warnings for first responders. AT that time a white placard w/ the word 'HOT' and a ID number were added to the Haz Mat tables for Asphalt, Liquid Molten Sulfur, etc. ,as well as, a hot warning added to flammable resins transported a temperatures above their flash point.

Many states have regulated many comon products as waste to avoid their release into the environment. In NJ MOST liquids, including milk, are considered to be hazardous waste when spilled into the environment and require absortion and cleanup.

No more pulling out the firehoses and flushing it away like the 'good ole days'...Overkill? Maybe it is.

Why would an asphault roof be more of a hazard than a metal roof painted w/ a high tech coating or a membraine system covered w/ an elastomeric coating?

The runoff from any of these roofing systems is permitted to drain onto the ground without further environmental considerations. I really don't think it matters, but then I live in a place where street signs fade in 3 - 5 years just from the atmoshperic pollution and that's getting into the rain water too!

Woodpecker · #10 04/12/10, 12:58 PM

This is really confusing, there are many links that say different things. I just used that on as an example. It certainly is food for thought.

Paquebot · #11 04/12/10, 01:30 PM

If one looks hard enough, one could find reason to fear every single raindrop or snowflake. And to use manure from any creature on this planet? Forget it!

Martin

geo in mi · #12 04/12/10, 01:57 PM

Ummmmmmm, 'snow creme'

geo

Woodpecker · #13 04/13/10, 01:10 PM

I do have a place where I could put a sheet of Tin. Think that would be better?