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rainwater catchment

How long after a new roof is catching water safe?

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posted 5 months ago

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How long after installing a new shingle roof must we wait before catching rainwater to safely use for plants and animals?

Douglas Alpenstock

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I don't think there's an easy answer. There are many variables and many differing opinions.

The new shingles on my cabin and garage were very different from the gooey old asphalt slabs they replaced. My choice was to give the new shingles a year to bake and freeze and wash off. I still collected the water and put it on non-garden shrubs. There was never a hint of a hydrocarbon sheen in the barrels. After that, I chose to use the water in the garden.

John C Daley

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posted 5 months ago

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Even though its more money, I would go a metal roof and then its immeadiately.

John Daley Bendigo, Australia The Enemy of progress is the hope of a perfect plan
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Anne Miller

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What are those shingles made out of?

Metal roof are generally considered safe.

https://permies.com/t/205219/Shingle-roof-rain-water-catchment

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Angel Bee

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We are getting older, and can’t keep up with the upkeep of a metal roof ( the fasteners, rivets, and screws need to be checked annually, and replaced fairly often in our climate), and honestly, we don’t have the funds for that increased cost, even if upkeep wasn’t an issue. The previous owners weren’t exactly honest about the age of the roof, and we find ourselves needing to replace sooner than we were planning and saving up for.

Douglas Alpenstock

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Location: Canadian Prairies - Zone 3b

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Pardon me, I'm not entirely clear -- what is your current roofing material?

If it's already metal, in decent condition, I think the most economical route may be to hire a contractor to do some maintenance. At least that's what I would do.

John C Daley

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Angel I am very surprised to read this,

an’t keep up with the upkeep of a metal roof ( the fasteners, rivets, and screws need to be checked annually

Done properly in the first place its not needed and somebody is spinning you a yarn!
In Australia I have roofs 60 yeras old that have never been touched since built and it is the usual situation.

Anne Miller

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I do not know your climate so maybe you get a lot of rain causing more roofing problems.

I have lived here for over 10 years and my metal roof has only needed to be looked at two times.

So if you are not installing a metal roof, from the above link:

Mike said, My great regret was putting a new shingle roof on my house 2 years ago. I didn't realize at the time that it was the worst material to choose from a rain water harvesting perspective

Douglas said, I still expected some offgassing/seeping etc. for the first year, so the water collected was used for trees. Healthy soil can break down small amounts of hydrocarbons. But I wasn't willing to risk direct use on vegetables.

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Matt McSpadden

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posted 5 months ago

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I agree that a metal roof should be fine after the first rain fall. I'm not sure I would want to use a shingle roof for too much watering at all.

Just to clarify about the longevity of metal roofs and maintenance needs...

There are two main types. A screw down metal roof uses screws with a gasket underneath it to prevent leaks. In a perfect world they would last 15 to 20 years before the gasket fails. But in certain climates and conditions, these can start to fail in as little as 2 or 3 years. So there can be quite a bit of maintenance to avoid leaks.

The second kind of metal roof is called a standing seam metal roof. No visible screws anywhere and will generally last for many decades (40 or 50 years) before needing replacement. This option also the most expensive.

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Rico Loma

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Also roofing screw quality can matter, as does expertise. Used what was at hand when ordering my metal roofing 22 years ago, no leaks so far, I was solo on my 55 degree slope for that summer but got her done. My local metal fabricator just asked for length of metal and for screws
Since that project I have seen larger and better ones. Monster sizes of bolts in Europe for roofing, a washer that makes a huge seal. Those are maybe 3/8 size, can power into steel framework gladly if preferred

What most diy folks are using in US

Screenshot_20260320_111735_Chrome.jpg

John C Daley

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Rico, those screws you have shown would normally be used on wall sheets not roofing, and screwed to metal wall battens.
In Australia these are roof screws used on metal purlins, pointed screws are used for timber purlins.
The lower ones have a reinforcing plate for cyclones, used only in Northern Australia.

roof-screw-metal-purlins.jpeg

roof-screw-cyclone-areas-into-timber.jpeg

Rico Loma

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Ah, now I see why some have extra metal, it gives more purchase in extreme weather thanks John. And yes, until recently I have used wood pulling for roofing

John C Daley

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Rico, what does this mean?

used wood pulling for roofing

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