I've found that sustainable plumbing upgrades can actually help with mosquito issues too. A couple years ago, I installed rain barrels to collect runoff for the garden, but quickly realized they were becoming mosquito breeding grounds. Ended up fitting them with fine mesh screens and sealed lids—problem solved. Just a heads-up though: always make sure your barrels have proper overflow valves and secure fittings. Standing water isn't just annoying; it can cause structural issues or attract pests if not managed carefully...
Good call on the mesh screens and sealed lids—those rain barrels can quickly turn into mosquito hotels if you're not careful. Overflow valves are definitely underrated too; I've seen a few setups where people skipped them, thinking they'd never overflow... until a heavy storm hit and water started pooling around foundations. Sustainable plumbing is great, but like you said, it's all about managing the details properly. Glad you figured it out before it became a bigger headache.
"Overflow valves are definitely underrated too; I've seen a few setups where people skipped them, thinking they'd never overflow..."
Couldn't agree more—learned that lesson the hard way myself. Had tenants calling me after a heavy rainstorm because their basement started flooding due to poorly managed overflow. Now I always double-check overflow setups on my properties. Curious if anyone's experimented with greywater systems yet... seems promising, but I'm wondering about maintenance and practicality for multi-unit buildings.
I've been looking into greywater systems myself lately, and while I haven't installed one yet, I've done quite a bit of digging on the practical side. From what I've gathered, they're definitely doable for multi-unit setups, but there are a few things to watch out for.
First, you'll want to make sure your local codes actually allow greywater recycling—some places have pretty strict rules about it. Next, maintenance can be a bit hands-on. Filters need regular cleaning or replacing, and you'll have to be careful about what tenants put down their drains (no harsh chemicals or bleach-heavy detergents). I've read that clearly labeling sinks or laundry areas connected to the greywater system helps avoid confusion.
Also, storage tanks can get funky if the water sits too long, so you'll want a system designed to cycle water quickly—usually straight to landscaping or toilets. If you're thinking about it seriously, maybe start small with just laundry or shower water first. That way you can troubleshoot without going all-in right away.
I've also been researching greywater systems, and while your points make sense, I'm not totally sold on starting small. From what I've read, partial setups—like just laundry water—can sometimes complicate things later if you decide to expand. Upgrading incrementally might mean redoing plumbing or storage tanks down the line, potentially costing you more in the long run.
Also, about the storage tanks getting funky...I've seen some setups that skip storage altogether and route greywater straight into subsurface irrigation. Seems simpler and avoids stagnant water issues entirely. Might be worth considering if you're worried about tank maintenance or odors.
That said, definitely agree with clearly labeling greywater-connected fixtures. A friend of mine had tenants accidentally dumping bleach down a greywater-connected drain...not fun to fix.
