Tips for your Rain Barrel
Some tips for making your barrel
1.
55-gallon food grade quality recycled barrel.
2.
Install an overflow at the top. This is an important feature. A full barrel has the potential to spill
additional water over the top and may cause localized erosion.
3.
Consider attaching the overflow to the down-spout with a valve. Simply turn the valve off when the
barrel is full and redirecting the run-off back into the down-spout.
4.
As an alternative to the spigot on the diagram, purchase a spigot with a threaded nipple and simply
twist it into the 1" hole.
Tips for using your rain barrel
1.
Do not use collected water for drinking, cooking or bathing.
2.
Keep the lid secure so children or animals cannot fall into the barrel.
3.
Disconnect the barrel during the winter to avoid constant overflow during the rainiest months. Attach it
in the early spring to fill it for use.
4.
Most recycled barrels need to be cleaned before first use.
5.
If a moss killer has been used on the roof let a couple of rainfall events go by before collecting the roof
run-off.
6.
Elevate your rain barrel slightly to make access to the spigot easier.
7.
The screened louvre vent will prevent mosquitoes from breeding in your barrel.
8.
Consider joining multiple barrels for additional capacity!
