Rain Barrel Care and Maintenance


Buying and installing your rain barrel:

  • Check that your rain barrel is made of quality, food-grade material that is meant to hold water. Other types of water containers cannot be counted on to withstand the water pressure.
  • Make sure it is set up on leveled blocks, so as to provide a safe spot for draining underneath, and a sturdy base to prevent tipping over.
  • Always keep your rain barrels covered to prevent children or pets from falling in, and to keep mosquitoes and larvae from reproducing.
  • Cover the downspout and drainage spots with netting or wire mesh to prevent mosquitoes and debris from getting in your water.
  • Arrange your freeze proof rain barrel so that the overflow valve is facing away from your home's foundation.

General care and maintenance tips:

  • Only use rain barrel water on your lawn or garden! (Never for drinking!)
  • If you have a transparent water barrel, you may want to clean it periodically to get rid of algae buildup. However, algae will not harm your lawn or garden.
  • Clean your roof and gutters at least once a year to minimize debris in your stored rain water.
  • If you treat your roof for pests, remember to unhook your wooden rain barrel for 2 weeks to be sure of keeping your water uncontaminated.
  • Try to drain your rain water barrel on a regular basis to avoid a mosquito breeding ground; ideally less than every 10 days, as that's how long it takes for mosquitoes to breed.
  • You can use a larvae tablet in your plastic rain barrel as a precautionary measure. These chemicals will not harm your lawn or garden.
  • Depending on the part of the country you live in, you may want to disconnect your rain barrels in the winter if the temperature drops below freezing on a regular basis. Repeated freezing and thawing of the water in your rain water barrel can weaken the material and cause cracks.
  • Store your rain barrels upside-down to keep them clean when not in use.

Rain Water Solutions 65 Gallon Rain Barrel