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Author Topic: Rain barrels?  (Read 6715 times)

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Tirya

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Rain barrels?
« on: July 07, 2010, 01:22:11 PM »

(Gonna put this here, but may move it later) Does anyone here use rain barrels or have recommendations on getting / installing / using them?
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VisionFromAfar

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Re: Rain barrels?
« Reply #1 on: July 07, 2010, 03:16:29 PM »

My folks use one, I'll call them tonight and let you know.  :D
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Crystal Dragon

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Re: Rain barrels?
« Reply #2 on: July 07, 2010, 04:00:08 PM »

You might want to hit EM up too ... I'm pretty sure she uses them. ;)
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Tirya

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Re: Rain barrels?
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2010, 04:05:57 PM »

Thanks. The new deck is going to go over an existing downspout so I'm debating turning that one into a collecting barrel instead of having it drain under the deck (or re-routing the downspout altogether).
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Re: Rain barrels?
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2010, 06:04:09 PM »

I haven't used them, but I've seen them here...  http://www.plowhearth.com/productform.asp 

I keep trying to get my parents to get them as they have the perfect situation for them.
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VisionFromAfar

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Re: Rain barrels?
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2010, 06:39:35 PM »

Well, my mother said that she uses hers all the time, except recently when they've had a month and a half without any significant rain. Something to keep in mind, though, is that they had to almost scrap one of their barrels (they've got two) because they used a metal spigot to tap the bottom of the (plastic) barrel. According to what they've found out, a plastic spigot works better and is less likely to leak when used on a plastic barrel.
Hope this helps.  :D
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earthmuffin

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Re: Rain barrels?
« Reply #6 on: July 07, 2010, 06:44:29 PM »

Hi, yes, I am still in the stage of getting mine set up. Problem here is that one little rain barrel isn't going to water much of anything. The stored water might last about two weeks in this arid climate so people make their own out of 55 gal olive storage barrels and string them together very inexpensively. I've got ten I am planning on using.

If it rains off and on where you live in summer, one nice one will probably work great for watering your garden (bear in mind water flows down hill so you need to elevate your barrel if you plan to water something higher than it).  Pre-made ones will run you between $100-$350 or you can find kits to make them yourself. I've also seen ones designed to look nicer or to have trellis with climbing vines go around them to hide them.

You might also find you fill your rain barrel after a few rains and then you will still have to divert the water coming off your roof. It probably depends on your average rainfall and the size of your roof. Alternatively, if you have the space, you can construct a dry well so that the water goes into the ground. Of course this will need to happen far enough way from the house so that it won't affect your foundation.

Here's a link with a selection of rain barrels.
http://www.rainbarrelsource.com/

And some dry well information.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5039232_build-dry-wells.html

If you are interested in constructing your own, I can find some instructions to post as well.







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