Homeowners

Selecting, Purchasing and Installing a rainwater system for your home has never been easier. The BRAE team has answers to your common questions, design tips and offers guidance only developed from years of field experience. Here is how we help:

Which BRAE Complete System is right for my home?

Selecting the right system for your project depends on three key items:

  • Budget? Generally, BRAE customers have a specific dollar amount in mind they are looking to spend. With all system pricing conveniently provided online, your simplest task is picking the most system for your well earned dollar.

  • Project Goals? Not all projects are the same. If you are a hobbyist perhaps you may want a system with small to medium storage capacity and good water pressure for outdoor gardening. Maybe you have a drainage problem and want a system big enough to prevent water from entering a basement or a neighbors property? Are you living in a community that prevents the use of city water for landscape irrigation? If this is you, select a system big enough to maximize collection potentional.
  • Is this a DIY (Do-It-Yourself) or DIFM (Do-It-For-Me) project? Systems can be both simple and complex. Selecting the right system is a big step, getting it installed and operational can be a bigger step depending on which system you choose. Not all systems require professional services, however, if you require professional installation of your BRAE Complete Rainwater System, select from our list of locally available preferred contractors.

Three Most Common Myths

  • Myth #1: Rainwater Systems are Expensive! Debunked: With BRAE Complete Rainwater System Kits available in all price ranges, you can easily select the system that is right for your budget.
  • Myth #2: Rainwater Storage Tanks are Ugly! Debunked: Rainwater storage does not have to be unsightly or ugly. BRAE offers many attractive above ground storage options including TimberTanks , Eastern Red Cedar and CorGal systems. How about installing your storage below ground? It is hard to be ugly if it is out of sight!
  • Myth #3: Rainwater systems do not have pressure! Debunked: BRAE systems are offered with pump systems that can deliver 5 gallons or 500 gallons per minute (GPM). Sure rainwater systems do not have pressure if you rely on gravity because for every one PSI [city/well water is generally 30-50PSI] you would have to elevate your tank 2.31 feet. To get 30PSI, you’ll need to elevate your tank 69.3 feet. I hope you live in the mountains!)

Quick Reference Tools and Downloads

Click here to download Residential Rain Harvesting Benefits
Click here to download BRAE Complete Residential Rain Harvesting Brochure
Click here to download BRAE General Information Brochure
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Submit Project Information Sheet

Top Five Most Frequently Asked Questions:

How much rain can I collect?

A typical house with 2,000 sq. ft. of roof area in NC can average 60,000 gallons annually. To find out how much you could collect, use the equation below.

Collection Potential = CA(Rainfall)(0.6*)

Explanation: Your Collection Area is expressed in square feet, for example 10 × 20 ft. Collection Area = 200 SF (square feet). Your Collection Area
is the footprint of your house or building independent of the roof pitch or shape. One inch of rain on one square foot of Collection Area
equals 0.623 (0.6*) gallons of rainwater. For example, 1 inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of Collection Area yields 600 gallons of collectable rainwater

How can I use the collected rainwater?

Rainwater is commonly used outdoor for landscape irrigation, car washing, gardening, filling a pool or spa. Rainwater is a supplemental water supply for flushing toilets, laundry and some fire protection systems. When used indoors, we recommend a higher level of water treatment vs. outdoor uses of rainwater.

Do I need to collect rainwater from all of my roof area and just a portion?

Depending on your project goal, you may only need to collect from one or two downspouts vs. the whole house. You should consider how much water you need and based on how large your roof area is, make an educated guess using the collection potential equation above.

How to select the right contractor:

A checklist to help you choose the right contractor for a professional installation:

  1. Check credentials. Before making your choice, call the Better Business Bureau to make sure the contractor is reputable. Also, find out if the contractor is a member of a local association such as the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA). This, in itself, is some indication of reliability.
  2. Ask the contractor about his training and experience. Many contractors take advantage of training by their manufacturer or distributor to help you determine your rainwater system needs. As a result, when they make recommendations, you can be more assured they have selected the right system for your home. They are also trained in installation and service.
  3. Ask for references. Former customers are an excellent source of information. Call these individuals and ask if they were pleased with the contractor’s work.
  4. Expect an on-site evaluation/site visit. A good contractor should take a personal, thorough look at your home, evaluate your overall water management needs and recommend the best system for you. Beware of a contractor that simply takes information over the phone. Once at your home, make sure you talk to your contractor about completing site project sheet. A project sheet helps determine what the proper size system is for your specific home based on project goals.
  5. Check local licenses. Depending on where you live, the contractor may have to comply with certain local or state regulations, so ask to see any applicable state and local licenses and insurance forms for liability and workmen’s compensation.
  6. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask for details about the firm’s experience, how long it’s been in business and the expertise of its staff. This is especially true if you’re adding a rainwater system to an existing home. In this case, experience is a very important factor since it will take more thorough, planning and know-how to get the job done properly.
  7. Get a written proposal. To make a fair comparison, be sure the bids you are looking at include the services you’ve requested and are based on the same size equipment and the same quality of workmanship. Be wary of a contractor who offers unrealistically low prices; it may mean corners are being cut in crucial areas.
  8. Inquire about equipment and labor warranties. Warranties vary according to manufacturer. Make sure your contractor fully explains the terms of the factory limited warranty. In addition, many manufacturers offer optional extended warranties, which you may wish to investigate.
  9. Ask about service contracts. Ask your contractor about whether or not they offer preventative maintenance agreements. This is one of the best ways to ensure optimum efficiency and performance.
  10. Finally, insist on a written and signed agreement. Your home’s rainwater harvesting system is an important purchase. Don’t gamble by selecting a rainwater system contractor by chance.