Rain Barrels

1. Elevating your water barrel on cinder blocks or a stand makes water retrieval easier and improves water flow. If you do elevate, make sure everything is level, stable, and secure. A full rain water barrel may weigh more than 300 lbs.

2. An environmentally friendly choice, rain barrels store and use rainwater to water garden plants. They save money, too, considering that we use 40% of our water caring for plants and yards in the summer.

3. Decorative rain barrels also prevent polluted water from entering streams and other natural water resources. The first few inches of rain runoff are the most polluted - rain barrels can capture this water.

4. Plastic barrels can range in size from 40 to more than 200 gallons. You'll find a variety of sizes here from which to choose.

5. Typically, for every inch of rain received, about 600 gallons of water can drain from every 1,000-square-foot roof area.

6. Keep runoff from washing into yards and nearby drain systems or streams by placing rain water barrels under downspouts.

7. In areas that receive heavy rain, homeowners may choose to link several large-capacity gutter barrels together to maintain and prevent overflow.

8. In areas that receive little precipitation, or during drier months, homeowners may find a small-capacity rain barrel galvanized can best suits their needs.

9. You'll find a wide variety of wooden rain barrel designs - traditional barrel and decorative shapes, or with functional elements, such as a flat back to allow it to be placed close to a house or shed.

10. One inch of rain on a roof yields over 600 gallons of water! That's the beauty of freeze proof rain barrel usage.

For more on rain barrels check out our Rain Barrel Tips.