Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically Challenged [Paperback]

Suzy Banks (Author), Richard Heinichen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2006

This handbook will teach almost anyone how to install a personal rainwater collection system. It covers the entire works, from determining how much rainwater you'll need to troubleshooting a problem pump. You'll learn how to hang gutters, run your trunk line, install check valves, and disinfect your rainwater without using chemicals. Illustrations and photographs help make installing a rainwater harvesting system a snap for the do-it-yourselfer.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Once in a while a resource comes along that clarifies the problems and presents solutions in such a way that you find yourself saying, Even I can make this work! Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically Challenged did it for me. --Andy Gladish, Home Power News

...the book manages to be both an educational and entertaining read. It is an invaluable resource for someone who is seriously considering replacing or supplementing an existing well or public water supply. It does a nice job in helping one assess current water usage and estimating water requirements if one does decide to go off the grid. It details the pros and cons of different types of rainwater collection, filtration and purification systems and gives cost comparisons for each.

Even for an apartment-dweller in the city such as myself, the book is still a page-turner. The sections about pumps, ultraviolet disinfection, turbulent flow, valves and gauges, and wiring took me back to my days as a high school Physics and Principles of Technology teacher. The informal and humorous (She ain't heavy, she's my cistern) writing style is also right up my alley.

Good how-to books are ones that make the project seem do-able, even for those with little or no experience. The best how-to books also make you feel that, by reading the book, you are saving the time, expense, and frustration of mistakes you would have otherwise made. This book certainly has that feel. --Bob Swanson, The Weather Guys, USA Today

It's not only the best book on the subject of rainwater collection we've ever found, it's funny enough for recreational reading, and comprehensive enough to painlessly lead a rank amateur through the process. --Real Goods/Gaiam

About the Author

Suzy Banks writes for Texas Monthly Magazine and other publications. Richard Heinichen owns and operates Tank Town, which specializes in installing rainwater catchment systems. They have used rainwater exclusively in their home since 1994.

Product Details

• Paperback: 108 pages
• Publisher: Tank Town Publishing (March 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966417062
• ISBN-13: 978-0966417067
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Remodeling & Renovation > Energy Efficiency
  • #61 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Plumbing & Household Automation

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funny & HELPFUL, August 4, 2006

By 

Jeffrey Harrington "Jeffrey Harrington @ Wryt.Me" (Kansas) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically Challenged (Paperback)

Simple, straight forward, very useful, but lacking in the elegance that some may require. Enjoyed it throughly and recommend it.

This book will help understand some of the ways that you can collect rainwater without over powering your brain. It will also help you to think out side the box, or perhaps in it if you don't mind getting wet.

One of the clearest, funniest and most useful books on rainwater.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wish I read it sooner!, January 30, 2009

By 

B. Crowley - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically Challenged (Paperback)

So I have been installing rainbarrels for a while now and now I am installing more and more cisterns with pumps and filtration. I started back in 2001 and in 2005 I started my own business. There is no apprenticeship program to do this work. It is just learn as you go. I really wish I had gotten this book back when I first started. It is packed with great info and advice. Some of it I have since learned on my journey and a quite a few bits of info were still new to me. If you are doing serious research for a paper, get the Eric Nissen- Peterson book. It is a very dense book full of great info and it has installation instructions for rainwater in less developed locations. If you want a book that will give you all of the practical info for installing a rainwater system in the US I highly recommend Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically Challenged. Art Ludwig's book is good also. Good luck.
Brad
Harvest The Sky

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars essential for rainwater, September 23, 2007

By 

Pasquale Pizzichetti "Pasquale" (Portogruaro (Venice) Italy) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rainwater Collection for the Mechanically Challenged (Paperback)

I am satisfied with it and I learned enough on rainwater collection systems. Pictures are in sufficient quality, but sometimes they are poor. Informations given are useful overall to whom needs drinkable water. Pasquale from Portogruaro (VE- Italy)