Rain Barrel Maintenance

What is a rain barrel?

A rain barrel collects stormwater from A rain barrel needs regular your roof downspouts. This water maintenance, particularly: should be used only for non-potable • Draining water before purposes. Rain barrels come in a variety every storm of sizes, but a 55-gallon container is the most common. Rain barrels can be • Removing leaves and added to any building with gutters and debris downspouts, but are most often used on single-family homes and townhomes.

Maintenance you can perform:

As needed: Seasonally: Avoid: ✔✔Check the entire system to ensure ✔✔Disconnect the rain barrel during ✘✘ Don’t leave water in your rain barrel the barrel is functioning properly. the winter to avoid damage. for long periods of time. Disconnect it from the downspouts, ✔✔Regularly use water collected in ✘✘ Don’t drink the water in your rain empty the barrel, wash it out, and your rain barrel between rain events barrel or use the water inside your store it upside down in a protected to make sure there is room to collect home or for your pets. location. stormwater during the next storm. ✘✘ Don’t let children play in or around ✔✔Open the rain barrel spigot if you ✔✔Place gutter guards and/or screens a rain barrel. expect to be away for an extended on top of roof downspouts and on period of time; make sure it will ✘✘ Don’t spray the water directly top of the barrel to keep leaves and drain away from your foundation. on vegetables or leaves, as the debris from entering the rain barrel. stormwater may contain bacteria. ✔✔Clean the barrel using a non-toxic ✔✔Remove leaves and other debris substance to remove residue or ✘✘ Don’t let the barrel foundation from the screen at the top of the algae. become unlevel or unstable. A full barrel, the overflow pipe, and the 55-gallon barrel weighs 450 pounds roof gutter. ✔✔Clean out downspouts and roof and can tip over on an unstable gutters for the most effective surface. mosquito control. However, if you find mosquitoes in your rain barrel, ✘✘ Don’t forget to reconnect your rain you may use a mosquito-control barrel every year after the threat of product such as Mosquito Dunk frost has passed. (follow manufacturers’ instructions).

Why is it important to maintain your rain barrel? An unmaintained rain barrel may: • Overflow and cause erosion near the foundation • Become clogged and block stormwater from entering the rain barrel • Become a breeding place for insects • Cause damage in the winter if not disconnected

By maintaining your rain barrel, you are doing your part to protect your local streams and the Chesapeake Bay.

Recommended maintenance Decorative rain barrels with “planter tops” checklist Problem solving . . . 33 Seasonal Preparation April and November Overflowing POSSIBLE CAUSE: Rain barrel was full before rain event or is too 33 Leaf and Debris Removal small for roof area. April through November SOLUTION: Empty the rain barrel between storm events. Connect a soaker hose to the outlet so the water can release 33 Water Drainage slowly to your garden or yard area. Install additional barrels if April through November more than one is needed for your roof area. 33 Monitoring Cracks or damage April through November POSSIBLE CAUSE: The rain barrel contained water and temperatures dropped below freezing. SOLUTION: Make sure you empty your rain barrel prior to winter. Repair damage as needed. Rain barrels elevated on blocks Unstable with a POSSIBLE CAUSE: soaker hose Foundation has shifted. for easier SOLUTION: Level the foundation and barrel. drainage

You can prolong the life of your rain barrel and save money on maintenance costs by regularly inspecting and maintaining the rain barrel to ensure it is functioning properly.

If you have questions or need more information, please visit cbf.org.

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