A first flush diverter might sound like something that you connect to a toilet. In fact, it connects to your gutters, and consists of two PVC pipes. One pipe is capped to trap water. When the first rush or flush of water comes down your gutters when it rains, the water cleans the gutters. The capped pipe holds this first flow of water and then allows the cleaner water to drain into a rain barrel. The director essentially acts as a filter to remove sludge, leaves and other debris from water you will use on your lawn. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Remove the downspout from your gutter. Drill the existing hole with a 3-inch hole saw and electric drill. This creates a hole large enough for a 3-inch PVC bulkhead.
2. Place the top of the bulkhead into the gutter. Thread the bottom half of the bulkhead onto the portion of the bulkhead that protrudes down through the gutter.
3. Slide a 3-inch diameter, 45-degree elbow onto the end of the bulkhead. Position the elbow so the opening faces toward the wall of your house.
4. Slide a 3-inch diameter, 90-degree elbow onto the straight section of your 3-inch diameter PVC Y-pipe splitter. Measure the length of the elbow and splitter with a tape measure.
5. Measure the distance between the 45-degree elbow to the wall. Subtract the length of the 90-degree elbow and splitter.
6. Cut a section of 3-inch diameter PVC pipe to the measurement obtained in step 5. Use a miter saw to cut the pipe.
7. Press the pipe into the 45-degree elbow. Press the Y-splitter onto the end of the PVC pipe. The 90-degree elbow must face downward and the Y-portion of the pipe must face downward.
8. Place a 3-inch to 4-inch adapter onto the end of the T-pipe sticking down.
9. Cut a 30-inch-long piece of 4-inch diameter PVC pipe with the miter saw. Slide the pipe into the 4-inch adapter.
10. Place a 4-inch diameter plastic ball inside the tube. Press a 4-inch diameter cap onto the end of the 4-inch pipe. This is the holding tank for the diverted water. As the water flows into the diverter, the ball will rise and prevent water from coming out of the diverter.
11. Place a 55-gallon drum against the wall directly below the 90-degree elbow. Measure the distance between the bottom of the elbow and the top of the drum. Cut a piece of 3-inch diameter PVC tubing to match that measurement. Place the pipe into the 90-degree elbow. Once the diverter fills up, the water will then flow into the 55-gallon drum.
12. Disassemble the entire diverter. Clean all of the mating surfaces with PVC cleaner and then glue each piece together with PVC glue.
Tags: 3-inch diameter, 90-degree elbow, 45-degree elbow, 4-inch diameter, pipe into