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.
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