Rain Barrels
Rain Barrels
Rain Barrels can be used to collect the water from downspouts. By doing so the water can then be used at a later time. This is a great way to save water and use it for any plants and or gardens around the house or business. With some of the new designs for rain barrels it would be easy to find one to match any environment. |
A rain barrel has a fine screen covering the top where the water enters from the downspouts. This screen keeps trash and other pollutants from entering the rain barrel. At the base of the rain barrel is a spicket where a hose can be connected to allow for watering plants. At the top of the rain barrel is an overflow valve that excess water can flow through. Sometimes other rain barrels are hooked up to this valve to increase storage capacity.
Installing your Rain Barrel
· Figure out where you want to install your rain barrel. The logical place is under a downspout, but if you don’t have gutters, you can place a rain barrel under a valley in your roof where water flows off. Also try to locate the barrel so it will be convenient to your flowerbeds and gardens.
· You should install your rain barrel on a level piece of ground and it’s best to elevate it on a platform so your can easily get a watering can under the spigot. Having the barrel raised up also means you can use gravity to feed water out to your garden through hoses.
· Your stand will need to be sturdy, since a barrel filled with water can easily weigh 500 pounds or more. Cement blocks make an inexpensive and strong platform and if your want to build it higher it’s easy to just install a second course of blocks.
· Once your platform in built all that’s left to do is put your rain barrel in place and cut the downspout to size. If your barrel has a solid top, you’ll need to cut a hole for the downspout. A jig saw or saber saw will work well.
· You should install your rain barrel on a level piece of ground and it’s best to elevate it on a platform so your can easily get a watering can under the spigot. Having the barrel raised up also means you can use gravity to feed water out to your garden through hoses.
· Your stand will need to be sturdy, since a barrel filled with water can easily weigh 500 pounds or more. Cement blocks make an inexpensive and strong platform and if your want to build it higher it’s easy to just install a second course of blocks.
· Once your platform in built all that’s left to do is put your rain barrel in place and cut the downspout to size. If your barrel has a solid top, you’ll need to cut a hole for the downspout. A jig saw or saber saw will work well.
Some consideration with your rain barrel
· If your barrel doesn’t have a top on it, cover the top of the barrel with a piece of window screen to stop leaves and dirt (as well as animals) from getting in.
· You can collect more rainwater by installing a series of barrels connected with overflow tubes (pieces of hose) located a few inches for the top lip. As one barrel fills the overflow will pour into the next one.
· It’s not likely to be a problem, but it would be a good idea to check your local building codes (as well as home owners and community association) before you install your rain barrel.
· Don’t forget to drain your rain barrel in the winter.
· You can collect more rainwater by installing a series of barrels connected with overflow tubes (pieces of hose) located a few inches for the top lip. As one barrel fills the overflow will pour into the next one.
· It’s not likely to be a problem, but it would be a good idea to check your local building codes (as well as home owners and community association) before you install your rain barrel.
· Don’t forget to drain your rain barrel in the winter.