Good call on the sediment trap—definitely worth the extra step if you're serious about keeping the system clean. I've noticed the same issue with finer debris slipping through coarser mesh screens. One thing I've done, aside from sediment traps, is slightly angling the inlet pipe downward into the settling chamber. It helps slow the water down a bit, letting more sediment settle naturally before it reaches the main tank. Just another small tweak that might help you out...sounds like you're on the right track already.
Good points raised so far. Couple things I've learned from setting up rain harvesting systems over the years:
- Sediment traps are definitely helpful, but I've also found that regular maintenance matters just as much. Even the best traps get clogged eventually, especially during heavy leaf-drop seasons. I usually check mine every month or so in autumn, less frequently otherwise.
- Angling the inlet pipe downward is a solid suggestion. Another tweak I've tried is adding a simple baffle or partition inside the settling chamber to slow down water flow even further. Doesn't need to be complicated—a small vertical sheet of plastic or metal positioned near the inlet does wonders for sediment settling.
- Mesh screens are tricky. Too fine, and they clog up quickly; too coarse, and fine debris slips through. I settled on using a dual-screen setup: a coarse mesh at the top to catch leaves and larger stuff, then a finer mesh below it that's easy to remove and clean regularly. Seems like extra work at first, but it actually saves time by preventing clogs downstream.
- One thing I slightly disagree with is relying too heavily on gravity alone for sediment removal. In my experience, gravity alone isn't always enough—especially if your roof area is large or you get intense rainfall events. In those cases, turbulence can still push debris through. Adding something like a gentle elbow or a slight curve in the inlet pipe helps reduce turbulence and improve sediment settling significantly.
Just my two cents from years of trial and error...hope it helps!
Really appreciate you sharing these insights—especially the dual-screen setup. I've struggled with mesh screens clogging too quickly myself, so I'll definitely give your method a shot. Good to know I'm not alone in finding gravity-only setups a bit lacking sometimes...
I've run into the same clogging issues with mesh screens, especially after heavy rains. Dual-screen setups definitely help, but honestly, adding a simple overflow diverter saved me from some messy situations... better safe than sorry when it comes to water backups.
Dual-screens are decent, but honestly, I've seen setups where they cause more headaches than they're worth—especially if maintenance slips a bit. Overflow diverters do help, sure, but have you considered switching to a first-flush diverter instead? It'll catch most debris right after heavy rains and reduce clogging without you constantly checking screens. Less time spent clearing gunk is always a win in my book.