Rain gauges are indispensable in the study of weather phenomenon. Hydrologists as well as meteorologists use these instruments in order that they can analyze and measure the level of precipitation over a given time frame. Precipitation may be in the form of liquid, which is water rain, or solid, such as snow, hail or sleet. There are essentially two parts comprising a rain gauge, one where the precipitation is caught and the other, which measures the amount of precipitation taken.

Rain gauges are of different types, the standard ran gauge, the weighing rain gauge and the tipping bucket rain gauge. Each type presents its respective advantages and disadvantages when utilized. To be effective, rain gauges should be located in isolated places where the effects of any structures like trees or buildings will be minimized or avoided.

When speaking of standard rain gauges, these refer to the use of a graduated cylinder with a funnel attached to it. The graduated cylinder is further placed into a bigger container that is capable of holding any excess pouring out of the said cylinder.

Weighing rain gauges make use of a pen, a rotating drum, and a storage bin. While the storage drum is being filled with whatever type of precipitation is being monitored, the pen located below the storage bin records the weight of the drum. This gauge is more accurate in its measurement as opposed to the tipping bucket rain gauges. Another feature of the weighing rain gauge is its capability to measure the amount or level of chemicals present in the atmosphere. The disadvantage of using this gauge is its cost, since acquiring this instrument can be quite expensive.

Tipping bucket rain gauge utilizes a big copper cylinder, a funnel, a couple of levers and a recorder consisting of a pen and a wheel. The levers are placed on equilibrium similar to a scale. When a definite amount of precipitation is reached, a lever tips emitting a signal to the recorder. The pen makes a motion, either up or down to record the lever movement and the amount of precipitation. Nowadays, this gauge has been updated with the use of a plastic container and a pivot.

Whatever rain gauge you decide to use, the important thing is achieving its purpose, which is to measure the amount of precipitation in any given time and in any given location.

If you are like most homeowners you don’t give much thought on gutters and downspouts, but they certainly play an important role in the upkeep of your home.

Leaking rain gutters can cause a wide array of problems, from just an inconvenience of getting wet from them dripping on your head, to major damage with water leaking into your basement or rotting the wood on your roof and siding.

So, if you’re looking to replace your guttering system, the big question is what type of gutters are the best? Let’s look at the various types you have to choose from.

Steel Gutters

If you are looking for strength a steel guttering system is your choice here. Steel holds up to the elements better than any other type of gutters. They will basically last forever. The one major drawback with steel is that it can rust over time unless you treat them.

Copper Gutters

The durability and visual appeal make copper gutters an excellent choice for your home. They are easy to maintain and hold up to rain water very well. The major drawback with copper is that it can discolor over the years. What starts out as shiny and gold can turn to dark brown or green over time due to oxidation. With that said, there are sealants you can apply to help prevent this from happening. The tradeoff is increased costs and the time involved.

Aluminum Gutters

The selling points with aluminum guttering is their light weight and affordability. They are the most economical rain gutter option. Aluminum is not as strong as steel or copper, but they still hold up well to the different weather elements. Their biggest drawback is the maintenance involved. They require more frequent attention than other types of rain gutters.

Vinyl Gutters

Vinyl gutters provide you with a system that is lightweight and virtually maintenance free. They also give you a variety of colors to choose from that other gutters do not. The drawbacks to them are their lack of strength and the fact they are subject to the effects of hot or cold weather.

The continuously growing problem in the environment is definitely one of the most destructive concerns that have detrimental effects on the world as a whole. There are innumerable alternatives created in order to remedy this pressing concern to put an end to the dilemmas that has been bombarding the planet. Rain garden creation and subsequently its maintenance is definitely a prominent way of helping in the preservation of nature even in your own home.

Rain gardens are shallow depressions on which the site is planted plants and grasses with deep-rooted features. These are strategically located on areas and sites which are positioned in close proximity to runoff sources specifically your driveways, roofs and sump pumps among others.

The sites where direct flow of runoff waters on which rain gardens are planted helps in the prevention of the flow of runoffs and the contained chemicals and other pollutants in its system from reaching the sewerage system. This is consequently resulting to the preservation of the larger bodies of water such as rivers and lakes from getting contaminated with the same runoff waters that directly flows into it without rain gardens to prevent it.

Hence, one prominent benefit of creating and cultivating a rain garden is in keeping the water system clean and safe for consumption. Hence, make sure that you are doing everything you can to make a successful nurture of this type of rain garden to ensure the quality of water, health of those consuming it and most importantly, the safety and conservation of the entire ecological system.

There are three basic things you need to consider when making or starting up a rain garden such as the soil and its quality on which to plant this garden type, the size of the garden and the location or site on which to build it. These are prominent components which must be seriously considered and ensured if you want to have a flourishing garden that gives remarkable and fruitful effects.

Location is one of the bloodstreams that gives life and nurtures the survival and flourishing of the garden you are planning to create. If you are basically aiming for a rain garden, then you must make sure that the location is definitely near or in close proximity to runoff areas. This ought to be in between the driveways and roofs which are the runoff sources and the runoff destination specifically the low spots, streams and drains. The most ideal site for such garden types must also be in partial access to full sunlight in order to balance what your plants and foliage require for growth and survival.

The soil quality must be something that is sandy with good drainage system however it is also amenable for installing on less or impermeable soil types such as clays. One way of examining the soil is through digging a one foot hole on the site and look for prominent signs ideal for rain garden planting.

Soils which are well saturated with water when you poured it on the hole even after days provided it have seized raining, then it is a sign that this site is suitable for rain gardens.

Out of all the exciting things to do around the house, cleaning out your rain gutters is probably the last thing you really want to do. Well, there is a product called the Gutter Cleaner Wand that is designed to help make this job a little easier. But the big question is does it work?

Gutter Cleaner Wand Specs

You can find the Gutter Cleaner Wand online or in some of your larger home improvement stores for around $21-$25.

The wand simply attaches to any garden hose and has a built-in on and off valve. The telescoping wand will go from 41″ all the way up to 68″ to reach your rain gutters and clean them out.

The wand is lightweight and easy to handle which is good since you have to hold it up all the time.

How does the Gutter Cleaner Wand operate?

The Gutter Wand is pretty simple in how it works. You hold it up and place it in your rain gutter channel and the pressure from the wand will clear out the leaves and debris from the eaves trough.

With this gutter cleaning tool you can also use it for cleaning off outside decks and sidewalks in addition to just cleaning rain gutters.

Does it work?

In my experience, I have had mixed results. Yes, it will work for cleaning out leaves, but if you have compacted leaves and other debris, it can be difficult to loosen them and move them out.

The main drawbacks with this gutter cleaning tool that many people have are in how wet you can get in using the Gutter Cleaning Wand because of standing below the roof while using it and the fact it will not work on higher roof gutters. Since it only extends to less than 6 feet it won’t reach the higher gutters on some homes.

All-in-all, I would say it is helpful. It does the job of cleaning rain gutters in most cases and it keeps you down off the ladder which can always be risky.

Rainwater harvesting put simply means collecting and storing rain for future use. Uses depends on how far you go in purifying and cleaning the water, but could range from turning it into fully drinkable water to using it for cleaning and bathing to using it to water crops in a drought. The most common form of rainwater catchment system is a rooftop system, where runoff is directed into rainwater containers or tanks.

A close cousin of rainwater harvesting is called “groundwater recycling”. These systems also recycle rainwater but usually in order to concentrate it in a single area, like where crops are to be grown. This is also referred to as “groundwater recycling” and is common where wells provide enough water for the people and animals, but are strained to meet the needs of crops or other vegetation. The term for changing groundwater into a drinkable form is called “groundwater recharging”, and it is particularly common in areas that have rainy seasons.

Rainwater harvesting can provide water for human and animal consumption while at the same time reducing water bills, decreasing the costs of distribution, providing valuable reserves during times of drought, and saving some land that would otherwise have to be used for reservoirs. This can be vitally important in parts of the world where rain is scarce or the population is high, but in almost any area rainwater harvests can reduce costs and the strain on natural resources.

Rainwater harvests got their start in dessert or at least semi-arid locations. People in these areas often had limited, expensive, or strained access to regular sources of “potable” water. In these areas, rain harvesting provided drinking water, water for bathing and cleaning, water for livestock and pets, and of course irrigation and groundwater for crops and plants. The technology was developed and perfected out of need, but can now be more generally used. In fact, rainwater harvesting has now become more and more common in areas where the human population has outstripped natural resources.

Rainwater harvested from roofs can contain impurities picked up from the roof itself. In addition, some natural rain contains pesticides and other contaminants. Therefore, sometimes the water in rainwater tanks or containers has to be purified before it is to be used as drinking water, and this can be done through boiling, filtering, or through the use of additives like chlorine. Rainwater purification can also be done earlier in the process, quite simply by having filters in the tubing that directs the water into the storage tanks.

Rain collection systems are inexpensive, and can be built into structures so they are barely visible. Rainwater tanks or containers can be buried in the ground or located in a basement, again, invisible but highly useful. Rooftop systems can be made virtually invisible from ground level though sometimes they can be made to be aesthetically pleasing by choice. Look into rainwater harvests - it could save you money, help you reduce your impact on our environment, and bring you a stream of fresh water each day.

Still used to protect from the sun, umbrellas are the only easy solution to traveling by not and staying dry on a rainy day. Climate changes, more wet weather as well as health risks due to overexposure to the elements, has shored up business for umbrella manufacturers around the world.

Brilliant colors, unusual shapes, myriad textures and intricate designer work have altered the drab umbrella image of the past. Stark black accents bobbing along crowded streets are no longer the norm. Today, rain umbrellas make chic statements about you and your personality. They double up as a great gift item for birthday parties, showers or anniversaries, especially when customized and emblazoned for the occasion.

Children fall in love with umbrellas that have polka dots, smiley faces, or frisky kittens, puppies or cartoon capers. Little girls cling to that lilac-hearted splendor with ruffles to frame the beauty. Rainbow-hued umbrella alternatives fixed by elastic around the forehead allow young boys unhindered romps in the puddles!

The variations of rain umbrellas are endless, and you can find one to suit your needs according to budget, size and temperament.

Some newer variations include dome bubble umbrellas that are transparent and cover the person up to the shoulders, enabling easy navigation on crowded streets. Another ingeniously modified umbrella is the dog umbrella, which enables a guilt-free walk in the park with your pet who stays comfortably dry too!

A recent addition is a hands-free device that Velcros your umbrella frame on to you and encourages unhindered movement. Perhaps the newest reinvention is the Lotus 23, invented by an Australian university design student who has taken the umbrella industry by storm. Its dynamics and flexibility prevent buffeting from the wind. It unfolds from and can retract completely into a slim handle. The inventive mechanism helps squeeze out all the extra rainwater and permits easy storage. Carrying an umbrella can become as simple as a pen in your pocket!

Rain umbrellas also make great souvenirs. Exquisite lacquered bamboo and paper umbrellas from the Orient are hugely popular and decorate many homes. Whether decorated with foreign city skylines, architectural wonders or quaint traditions, umbrellas evocatively bring back a bit of that heaven into your home.

Rain gutters and downspouts are obviously one of the more important aspects on the outside of any home. They help in protecting your foundation from eroding as well as your roof and siding from rotting as well. Not to mention preventing a complete muddy mess that you have to try and avoid walking in. The biggest question about rain gutters is, what do you really need for your particular home? Here is a quick look at some of the basics on choosing a gutter system for your home.

What size of rain gutter do you need?

Because gutters come in different sizes, as well as materials one of the first things you will need to know is what size you need. This will depend on what part of the country you live in. If you live in an area which receives heavy rainfall then you should go with a larger 7″ gutter channel. You need the bigger size to handle the heavier amounts of precipitation to prevent them from overflowing. For those living in areas which get little rain then a 5″ or 6″ gutter will be fine.

What kind of material do you want your gutter made out of?

Your next step is deciding what type of material you would like to have your gutter made of. The most common materials are aluminum and vinyl. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but you can also choose to have them made from copper, steel or other materials. Obviously, cost will be a consideration when you are looking at copper gutters, but copper will last a lifetime if cared for properly. If you live in an area where you do not have extreme temperature fluctuations then a vinyl gutter system would make for a good choice.

Seamless or not?

Finally, you will need to decide on whether you would like to have a seamless gutter system or one that is in sections. Seamless gutters and downspouts are considered by most experts to be the best choice. It eliminates the “seams” that could eventually lead to leaks and sagging. Keep in mind though; a seamless gutter will still have seams at the corner breaks. Also, seamless will be a more expensive option. All in all though, it is the best route to go.

Installing rain gutters

Finally, whatever gutters and downspouts you decide to install, don’t use the old style of putting them up with big spikes and ferrules. This is a very outdated method of installation and will only lead to problems down the road since these spikes expand and contract with the weather and wear out the fascia boards as well. Use gutter hangers and you will eliminate this issue altogether.

Once you have made your choice for the type of guttering you want you can have it installed by any number of contractors for a nominal cost. It is well worth leaving to the pros. Getting up on a ladder and trying to do it yourself is not a great idea, especially if you have ever fallen off a ladder as so many people have. Let a pro do it and you can enjoy the benefits of their work for years to come.

A question that many homeowners often ask is; do I really need to have rain gutters and downspouts on my home? It’s a good question and the answer may surprise you. Let’s take a closer look.

The answer is that it really depends on several different factors.

No, you do not need rain gutters if:

Your home is surrounded by a concrete sidewalk or patio, driveway, etc. The main reason for a gutter system is to take all the rainwater that falls on your roof and move it away from your home’s foundation, but if your home is surrounded by concrete then you don’t really need gutters. It would only be a personal decision. The area you live in gets little annual rainfall. It only makes sense that if you live in the desert southwest you really don’t have to be too concerned about rain gutters. The round all around your home slopes away from the foundation. Since the water can’t pool around your home it is not necessary to have rain gutters. Yes, you need rain gutters if:

You live in an area with rainfall that averages more than 15-20 inches a year. Rainwater sits around your foundation and pools up after a rain instead of running off. You don’t like rainwater coming off your roof and falling on your head. That may sound silly, but not many people like to walk outside their front door into a steady river pouring down off their roof. With gutters and downspouts you obviously eliminate this from happening.

With these tips in mind you now have a better idea of whether your home really needs to have rain gutters or not. Of course, you many want them on your home just for aesthetic value. It’s really a personal choice.

No matter the season, time of year or area of the country you live in, you’ll want to be prepared for when the rain falls and disrupts your drive time.

Be Cautious

During especially heavy rain or fog, don’t hesitate to pull over to the side of the road or completely off the road until visibility is better.

Braking In The Rain

It’s crucial to slow down when driving in rain. It’s also important to brake properly during rain. Make sure to brake slowly and more softly than usual. Also, brake earlier so that you can warn the person behind you that you are slowing down.

Puddles and Flooding

Try to avoid going through puddles. Stay on the inner area of the road if at all possible. On freeways and highways, large and heavy trucks tend to stay on the outer lanes, making them more susceptible to puddles. Staying on inner lanes of a highway or road, will allow you to avoid many puddles.

Tires

If you live in an area that gets a lot of rain, consider getting special tires that are meant to increase performance, traction and safety when it’s raining. In addition, carrying snow chains is a smart idea should you be in an area where it snows. Rain can suddenly turn to snow, so having chains can be extremely important.

Lights

For extra safety, turn on your headlights during the day, especially if visibility is lessened by fog, mist or heavy rain. Turning on your lights helps your visibility and makes your vehicle much easier to see for other vehicles, especially those in oncoming traffic.

Avoid Flooded Areas

It’s important to avoid flooded areas completely. When you see running water going across a roadway, do not attempt to cross it. Find an alternate route or simply wait.

Allow More Time

If you’re traveling long distances when it’s storming or the forecast is for rainy weather, make sure to leave early and allow plenty of extra time to get to your destination. This will allow you to drive as slow and safe as you need to get there safely.

Don’t forget to exercise caution and common sense when driving in the rain, that’s the most important thing.

It took a long time to the scientific community to determine the causes of acid rain. It also took a lot of time to realize the importance of the problem and the fact that man was causing it. Gases emissions which are mixed with humidity in the atmosphere are the major cause of acid rain. Now that we know that the problem exists and what causes it, we need to control and hopefully reverse the effect of acid rain.

Acid rain affects plants, animals and mankind and should be taken very seriously. Acid rain is one of the biggest environmental issues worldwide today. The effects of acid rain on trees cause a major threat to the entire balance in nature. In case of important trees depletion caused by acid rain, the effects on the entire animal kingdom would be disastrous.

Trees are a natural resource. They provide wood, are the major source of oxygen and provide shelter to wildlife. As trees are destroyed by acid rain, the animals which depend on them for survival are also affected. It is a vicious cycle that self- perpetuates.

On the same level, contaminated lake waters by acid rain can cause the imbalance and death of its inhabitants. If the amount of fish diminishes, the main source of food for the birds is destroyed. Furthermore, if a region is submitted to important quantities of acid rain, the fish eggs may die before even hatching thus reducing the quantity of food available.

Scientists are conducting studies to monitor the effects of acid rain on man. Acid rain has the power to destroy our land and reduce our food supply. The toxicity of acid rain can render our water supplies undrinkable. The metals contained in acid rain can find their way into drinking water, crops, or animals that we eat. When ingested in big quantities, such pollutants can lead to nerve and brain damage. It has been considered that acid rain could hold a relation with Alzheimer’s disease.

Now that we know the causes of acid rain, we have a duty to reduce and eventually eliminate them. The reduction of acid rain levels will require a strong commitment from all industrialized communities. The problem of acid rain needs to be considered seriously and laws have to be reinforced to lower the rate of gases emission. The control and elimination of acid rain will require a collective and joint effort. Newer sources of energy have to be sought. Manufacturers have to explore alternate sources of energy such as solar power.

Single efforts can also add-up in reducing acid rain. Car pooling and driving our car only when necessary can greatly reduce gas emission on the long run. Following regulations and keeping cars in good circulating conditions can greatly reduce pollution and acid rain. The Environmental Protection Agency has been educating manufacturers and encouraging them on their efforts to reduce the quantity of exhaust released into the atmosphere. Whether or not we realize it, acid rain affects us all. It is everyone’s duty to take interest and participation in the resolution of acid rain. Every effort counts.