Installing a Rain Barrel

Installing a rain barrel is a fantastic way that we can reduce our tap water usage.   Basically, whenever it rains, water is diverted from the gutters and into the barrel.  During a storm, any excess water flows through a hose at the top and into the grass.  Then, when you need to irrigate, you can either place a watering can under the tap or attach a hose to the valve in the bottom of the barrel.

When you purchase or make a rain barrel, there are some important things that should be done prior to installation.  First of all, the rain barrel needs a solid surface to rest on.  If your downspouts are not located by a solid surface, you will need to dig out a couple of inches of soil.  You will then need to form a base by putting gravel down, one inch at a time, and tamp it down each time.  Once the compacted gravel is close to the surface of the soil, you will then need to place some sand on top of the gravel.  Once the sand is on top of the gravel, tamp it down.  Then you can use a two foot level and to make sure the sand is level.  Once the sand is level, you are ready to place your stepping stones or bricks down.

Once you have a solid place to set the rain barrel, you will then need to cut away part of the downspout so the rainbarrel can fit under it.  Then reattach the elbow to the downspout, ensuring that the rain will flow into the rain barrel.

It is important that your rain barrel has a lid on top so that young children don't accidentally fall in.  A fine screen is necessary for the part of the lid where water flows in.  The screen keeps debris and adult mosquitoes out of the water.

Additionally, depending on your roofing materials, harmful chemicals may leak into the rainwater from your roof. Roofs with treated cedar shingles, old tar, and asphalt shingles can leech toxins into your runoff water.  It is recommended not to use the rainwater that is collected from your roof to water herbs, vegetables, and fruit.

Besides helping to irrigate your ornamental garden or lawn during dry spells, storing rain in rain barrels lowers runoff and the amount of water flowing into storm sewers.  This can potentially lower the effects of flooding in a community.   I own one rain barrel and during a storm, it can collect and store 50 gallons of rainfall.  My home is 864 square feet.  If one inch of rainfall landed on my roof, a total of 539 gallons of water would flow through the gutters.  My rain barrel would store about 9.28 % of the runoff.  Of course, most storm sewers can easily handle an inch of rain at a time.  However, by storing water, rain barrels can be an important tool to help minimize flooding during heavier storms.

For more rain barrel tips, check out this rain barrel care guide.