Rain barrels are used to collect and store rain water runoff, typically from rooftops via pipes. Here at Woodstock Gutter Cleaning Pros, we can help you with that. Rainwater tanks are devices for collecting and maintaining harvested rain. A rainwater catchment or collection system can yield 2,358 liters of water from 2.54 cm of rain on a 92.9 m² roof. These barrels, as a system, have been used to collect rainwater for thousands of years. It is said that even the cavemen saved rainwater in tanks made from animal skin and then with the invention of the barrel, man began to collect rainwater in it. There’s evidence that rainwater collection practice was also used by Romans since 2.000 B.C. for domestic usage, Israelites, Egyptians and Africans for both domestic and agricultural purposes.
In the natural cycle, rainwater falls to the ground and it filters through the soil. It gets into the ground and then, over time, reaches a stream or a river. However, in a city this cycle changes because of the paved street and driveways that stop the natural flow of rainwater. Instead, it runs off into the sewage systems overwhelming them and increasing the risk of flooding.
So why use a rain barrel? Rainwater harvesting has a multitude of benefits for your plants and garden. During summer, it is a source of pure rainwater with a lot of favorable features and without chemical additives. Ultimately, rain barrels take advantage of a free source of pure water that we have available in nature along with the rain gutter system. These useful gutter accessories minimize the impacts of storm water runoff in your drainage while helping you reduce your water needs which will be reflected in your water bill.
So how do rain barrels work? The rain barrel is designed to catch the water that flows from the downspout of a rain gutter system. It stores this water for different purposes such as household, gardening, car washing, and other domestic uses. You can find them in your local hardware store in sizes from 30 to 100 gallons. They are typically made of plastic, clay or wood and either linked to complex pumps systems or just the simple drum to collect the roof runoff. They also come in decorative designs, perfect to match with your house’ facade.
To install a rain barrel, simply place it underneath the downspout. You may need to shorten your existing downspout so you can use the spigot without a problem. You can attach your barrel to the rain gutter system by using a diverter kit or just adapting a flexible downspout tubing right above the barrel. Most barrels have an open top with a fine mesh that filters the rainwater to avoid the water being polluted with debris.
When it comes to rain barrels maintenance there are a few habits to keep in mind. You should always keep the lid always firmly closed. Exposure to sunlight will promote algae growth. Make sure to remove debris from the filter every time it rains and then secure it back to the barrel. At the end of each season, be sure to completely rinse out your rain barrel and avoiding storing the water for long periods of time to reduce mosquito interest in the stagnant water.