Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) & Tips for Using Your Rain Barrel

What is a rain barrel?
A rain barrel is any type of container used to catch water flowing from a downspout. Rain barrels reduce the amount of storm water runoff by collecting roof runoff and storing the rainwater for future use.

How does it work?
The rain barrel is placed underneath a shortened downspout, diverting the roof runoff into the rain barrel. Placing the rain barrel on a STURDY platform will allow for more clearance under the spigot, plus also will increase the rate of flow if you are attaching a hose to the barrel’s spigot.

What is your rain barrel comprised of?
Rain Barrel Guys use only food-grade recycled PVC 55 Gallon Barrels. These are the safest to use for barrels…Beware of other companies that use barrels that contained soap products and harsh chemicals. All of our PVC fittings and filters have been recycled from other sources.

How do I maintain the rain barrel?
During the spring and summer months routinely inspect your rain barrel. Remove any debris that has accumulated on the lid that might block the screen mesh. Once a year, drain your rain barrel and wash it out with a hose. I normally do this the day before it is supposed to rain, so it will will right back up! This is necessary to remove any "roof crud" that might get in the barrel.

What are some of the benefits of using a rain barrel to collect roof runoff?
The use of a rain barrel will provide an alternative to using tap water for watering lawns, flower gardens and houseplants. It will also reduce peak volume and velocity of storm water runoff reaching lakes and rivers. It will also help reduce peak water demands during the summer months.

Are there any restrictions regarding the use of the water collected in
a rain barrel?
The water collected in rain barrels is not suitable for human consumption. Please make sure that children and pets do not drink water collected in a rain barrel.

How much rain do I need to fill a 55 gallon rain barrel?
For every inch of rain that falls on one square foot of your roof, you can “collect” just over half a gallon of rainwater (0.6 gallons). For example, if you have a shed that is 10’ x 10’ and you can collect the roof runoff from all 100 square feet of your roof, you could collect 60 gallons of rainwater during a 1-inch rain event. If you were to harness all the water off a 2000 sq. ft. home, you would have over 1200 gallons from one inch of rain!

Why use a rain barrel?
During summers in Dallas, over 40% of city water is used for irrigation. Harnessing and storing rain water is an economic and “green” method to decrease ones water use, save money, and get green.

What can I do if I would like to “collect” more than 55 gallons of rainwater at one downspout?
You can connect the overflow hose from your “first” rain barrel to a “second” rain barrel to get twice the volume at the same downspout.

Won’t the pressure be too low if I’m watering my perennials with a
hose connected to a rain barrel?
The pressure will be less than what you get from a traditional tap water spigot, so “overspraying” your plants will be difficult. To water perennials, place the end of the hose at the base of the flower bed. Move the end of the hose every few minutes to reach different areas within the bed. Also don’t forget that raising your rain barrel by placing it on a STURDY platform will increase the rate of flow.

What about mosquitoes?
Rain barrel guys use screened inlets and screened overflows. Mosquitoes should not be a problem. If you fins mosquitoes are in the barrel, ensure that your screens are intact. You might need to drain the barrel, hose it out, and start over. If mosquitoes are still a problem ass a mosquito donut which is found at local home centers.

Can I change the color of the rainbarrel or paint it?
A plastic rain barrel may be painted any color you wish. First use a deglosser to remove the shine from the bucket. Use spray paint specially formulated to bond well to plastic surfaces. Rain Barrel Guys recommend textured plastic spray paint. Be careful as the paint tends to rub off if not handled properly.

How do I purchase my own rain barrel?
Rain Barrel Guys offers a wide variety of colors and options. Visit the page on this site named Our Rain Barrels for all the information on how to buy a Rain Barrel for your very own!

Additional tips for using your rain barrel at home:

• Put concrete or cinder blocks on level ground under the downspout to provide a base under the rain barrel.
• Make sure the barrel is level, not leaning and ready to tip over! 50 gallons of water weighs about 400 pounds!!
• Make sure the barrel is high enough to allow a bucket or drip line to be placed under the upper spigot. The higher you can place your barrel, the more water pressure you can get from a hose. A rain barrel is a gravity fed system, great for low-flow applications, soaker hoses, drip lines, watering cans, etc.
• Shorten your downspout using a hacksaw or tin snips. Dull the cut edge with steel wool. Set the end of the downspout or flexible downspout adapter into the filtered hole of the barrel. If you don’t want to cut your downspout, downspout adaptors can be found at local hardware stores – their length can be adjusted to fit from the gutter to the top of the rain barrel. Check out our photos/videos for more information!
• If your barrel overflows/fills quickly, reduce the amount of area draining to the barrel by diverting water coming off the roof to other downspouts and by adding barrels to the other downspouts. You can also set up multiple barrels in a cascade arrangement. Contact RainBarrelGuys@gmail.com for more barrels!
• During heavy rain (>1”), run garden hoses away from your house into your yard/garden and open spigot valves to drain away from your house. Attachment can be purchased or made from PVC fittings to attach a hose to the overflow. Your rain barrel will overflow during a heavy rain event, so try to prevent it from overflowing near your foundation!
• Periodically check your barrel to ensure that it remains in good working order, be sure to clean out the screen from time to time. Once a season, drain your barrel and wash it out with a hose.
• If your barrel is painted, be careful when handling your barrels as the paint can rub off. If you would like to pain your barrel, coat with a ‘deglosser’ and then use a textured plastic spray paint for best results.