With approximately 40% of total household water usage dedicated to lawn and garden care, investing in a rain barrel can be a savvy decision. This eco-friendly approach allows you to collect and store rainwater that would otherwise go to waste, eventually ending up in storm drains. The harvested rainwater can then be utilized for yard and garden watering, making it particularly valuable during droughts or water restriction periods.
If you’re considering purchasing a rain barrel, here are some key tips to keep in mind:
The 5 Best Rain Barrels
For those looking to make a splash with their outdoor spaces, impressing the neighbors is just as important as saving water. Enter the world of rain barrels. With options ranging from Good Ideas Impressions’ Nantucket-inspired designs to RTS Home Accents’ sleek and modern takes on the classic water collector, there’s something for every style and budget. Our top pick is the mirainbarrel Rain Barrel, offering a unique urn-style design that will complement any outdoor decor.
But don’t worry if that one doesn’t quite fit your aesthetic – Emsco Group also offers a reliable 50-gallon option for those who prioritize functionality over flair.
Our Top Pick for the Best Rain Barrel
Our top pick for the best rain barrel is the mirainbarrel Rain Barrel, which stands out due to its exceptional outdoor performance. Withstanding high temperatures and delivering on its intended purpose, it’s an attractive addition to any yard. The 58-gallon capacity is impressive, exceeding the typical holding capacity of most rain barrels, making it a practical choice for homeowners.
Assembling the mirainbarrel is effortless, while its durable molded plastic construction ensures it won’t chip or crack. Its rich brown color will seamlessly blend with your garden or courtyard, creating a harmonious visual aesthetic. To explore pricing and availability, check out the mirainbarrel Rain Barrel on Amazon.
Choosing Rain Barrel Material
When selecting a rain barrel, it’s essential to consider its aesthetic appeal and ensure it harmonizes with your home’s architectural style. Fortunately, rain barrels come in a diverse range of materials, including ceramic, wood, metal, stone, and plastic. This variety allows you to find one that seamlessly blends with your property’s unique features.
Moreover, rain barrels differ significantly in terms of capacity, ranging from compact 15-gallon models to larger commercial systems capable of holding an impressive 1000 gallons or more. Additionally, many rain barrels are designed with opaque materials to shield the stored water from direct sunlight, thereby minimizing algae growth inside the barrel.
The Different Rain Barrels Materials
Among the various options available, three popular types of rainwater harvesting systems stand out. The first is plastic or polyethylene-based systems, which are lightweight and cost-effective. However, they tend to deteriorate quickly when exposed to outdoor conditions, requiring adequate UV protection during storage. These systems come in a range of shapes and colors, making them a versatile choice. In contrast, stone or ceramic clay systems are ideal for collecting small amounts of rainwater.
They can be decorative and suitable for small gardens, but may require more effort to install. For those seeking a rustic look, wood-based systems are an attractive option. Not only do they provide a unique aesthetic, but they also ensure water quality by preventing the contamination with BPAs. Wood-based systems tend to be pricier than plastic alternatives and often feature heavier catchment systems. Popular wood options include beechwood, hickory, oak, and cedar.
Lastly, metal-based systems are designed for larger-scale rainwater storage and can incorporate flexible membrane liners for added durability. While they may not be the most attractive option for residential use, metal systems are well-suited for permanent rainwater storage applications.
Storing Rain Water
When droughts hit regions with frequent dry spells, investing in water storage tanks can be a shrewd move. Conversely, areas with abundant rainfall might only require small rain barrels to supplement water needs during brief dry periods. To ensure your rain barrels are effective and safe, it’s crucial to maintain tight seals and covers, which will minimize mosquito breeding grounds and prevent accidental drowning hazards for children.
Additionally, secure the barrel to the ground to prevent it from toppling over.
Retrieving Your Water
When it comes to accessing your stored water supply, you have three primary options: using a spigot, electric pump, or manual pump. Most tanks come equipped with a standard garden spigot at the bottom, allowing for easy connection to a hose. For larger barrel systems, a pump provides an efficient way to retrieve the water. While hand pumps require manual effort, electric pumps offer greater convenience – albeit at a higher cost.
Moving Your Water
When designing a rainwater harvesting system, it’s crucial to have a plan in place for storing and utilizing the collected water. This typically involves connecting the rain barrel to a storage tank, where the water can be accessed for various uses. Gutters and downspouts play a vital role in directing excess water away from your home or into the storage tank, as needed.
In some cases, an existing downspout can be repurposed to efficiently move water into a barrel or redirect it away from your house when the storage tank reaches capacity.
Calculating Collections
When it comes to calculating the amount of water you can collect, a crucial factor is the rainfall in your area and the size of your roof. To put this into perspective, for every 1 inch of rainfall over a square foot area, you can expect to collect around 0.6 gallons of water. From here, you can multiply that figure by the average monthly rainfall in inches and then by the width of your roof in feet to get an estimate of how much water you’ll be able to harvest.
Example calculation
To calculate the total gallons of rainwater collected on your rooftop in a single month, you’ll need to consider three key factors: the average monthly rainfall in inches, the width of your roof in feet, and a conversion factor that accounts for the difference between inches and gallons. Specifically, one inch of rainfall is equivalent to approximately 0.6 gallons per square foot. So, to get an estimate of the total gallons collected, simply multiply the average monthly rainfall by 0.
6, then multiply that result by the width of your roof in feet.
Installation & Maintenance
To ensure the longevity and effectiveness of your rain barrel system, it’s crucial to maintain its cleanliness and functionality. Start by covering the barrel to keep debris out and preventing mosquito breeding. Regularly inspect and clean the gutters and downspouts to prevent blockages. After heavy rains or at the end of your rainy season, thoroughly flush out any debris that may have accumulated at the bottom of the container.
Additionally, check for leaks and overflows in your system and address any issues promptly. If you notice overflow problems, consider storing excess water or investing in an additional barrel if needed. Before winter sets in, prepare your barrel by turning it upside down if storing outdoors or emptying it if storing indoors. Finally, take precautions to prevent damage to your home’s siding when working with the downspout system by placing a sheet of wood between the siding and the downspout.
5 Best Rain Barrels – Reviews
Good Ideas Impressions Nantucket Rain Saver Rain Barrel
The Rain Saver Rain Barrel from Good Ideas Impressions stands out with its elegant wicker design, reminiscent of an urn. This 50-gallon BPA-free rain barrel is not only sturdy but also features a large 4-inch planter on top that efficiently drains excess water to prevent root rot. The mesh screen ensures the integrity of your water supply by keeping insects and debris at bay. With dual brass spigots, you can easily connect it to a hose or 5-gallon bucket.
Choose from two stylish colors: black or dark brown. The rain barrel’s advantages include ease of installation, excellent build quality, and a visually appealing design that makes it a great addition to your garden. However, some users may find the lack of a flat back design a drawback, while others might experience minor leaks when the barrel is full. Nonetheless, this product remains a popular choice among gardening enthusiasts.
RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Water Collection Barrel
The RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Water Collection Barrel is a reliable solution for collecting and conserving rainwater. Its realistic oak barrel texture is molded to perfection, ensuring it won’t fade, rot, or attract insects over time. The flat back design allows the barrel to sit snugly against walls, making it easy to link multiple barrels together to increase overall capacity.
The RTS Rain Barrel comes equipped with a screen to keep debris and insects out of the water, as well as a dual overflow and shut-off valve for seamless hose hookups. With a 50-gallon capacity, this barrel can significantly reduce your average water usage and even pay for itself in just a few seasons. Additional features include a front side overflow that prevents flooding against exterior walls, an optional stand to balance the spigot with the ground, and a brass spigot shut-off valve.
The realistic texture also ensures the barrel won’t have large openings, making it child and pet safe. Pros of this rainwater collection system include its ease of setup, leak-proof faucet, and ability to link multiple barrels for increased storage. Cons include the front overflow’s aesthetic impact on the overall design when full, as well as the barrel becoming slightly bowed when filled with water.
FCMP Outdoor Urn Style Rain Barrel
The FCMP Outdoor Urn Style Rain Barrel is an exceptional piece that seamlessly integrates form and function. The built-in planter at the top adds a touch of elegance, making it a stunning addition to any yard’s exterior design. This rain barrel not only serves its purpose but also doubles as a beautiful decorative element. Constructed from high-quality, UV-resistant recycled plastic, it withstands the outdoor elements with ease.
The finish is vibrant and eye-catching, allowing it to blend harmoniously with its surroundings. A flat back design enables secure placement against walls for stability, while a screen efficiently filters out debris and pollutants. Additionally, a brass spigot facilitates connection to other barrels using a hose.
Complementing the rain barrel is a 5-gallon planter featuring a built-in drainage hole. Although it has its drawbacks, the pros of this rain barrel far outweigh the cons.
mirainbarrel Rain Barrel
The Mirainbarrel Rain Barrel boasts a stunning rich brown hue, while its food-grade high-density plastic construction ensures long-term durability. Withstanding extremely high temperatures, this 58-gallon barrel offers a reliable solution for rainwater harvesting. Its robust features include an easily accessible brass spigot for filling watering cans, an overflow valve to prevent overfilling, and an easy-on/off twist top lid with a built-in plastic mesh screen for debris protection.
While it may have some drawbacks, the pros of this product far outweigh the cons. With its beautiful appearance, straightforward setup, and high-quality brass faucet, the Mirainbarrel Rain Barrel is an excellent choice for those seeking a premium rainwater collection system. However, potential users should be aware that the product may be more expensive than others on the market, and minor flaws such as cracking after a mild winter or an overflow valve that’s not large enough may occur.
Emsco Group 50-Gallon Rain Barrel
The Emsco Group 50-Gallon Rain Barrel boasts an alluring rustic whiskey barrel design, available in brown or distressed gray. Constructed from heavy-duty molded plastic, this rainwater harvesting system is resistant to cracking, chipping, and fading over time. The downspout diverter system seamlessly directs rainwater from the downspout into the 50-gallon water collection reservoir, eliminating potential drainage issues.
The barrel’s integrated planter features a built-in weep hole to prevent root rot, while the outlet hose and flat back design ensure efficient use of outdoor space. This product stands out for its attractive appearance, durability, and ease of assembly. The included planter is an added bonus. However, some users have noted that the drain hose may require replacement with a higher-quality option, and a few barrels lacked instructions for connecting to the downspout.
Our Top Pick for the Best Rain Barrel
Our top pick for the best rain barrel is the Mirainbarrel Rain Barrel, an excellent choice for outdoor use due to its exceptional durability and high temperature resistance. Its performance is unparalleled, effectively collecting rainfall while boasting a stylish appearance that seamlessly integrates with your yard or garden. With a generous 58-gallon capacity, it stands out from most other rain barrels on the market. Assembly is also a breeze, thanks to its straightforward design.
Crafted from molded plastic, this rain barrel is remarkably resilient, immune to chipping and cracking. Its rich brown hue harmonizes beautifully with surrounding greenery. For a hassle-free shopping experience, check the price of this exceptional product on Amazon.
