Rain Barrel Winterization
As I visit homes in my area, I am seeing more and more rain water collection systems (ie rain barrels)
each year. The rain barrel is a great water conservation method and it is wonderful to see this conservation effort being undertaken by many homeowners. If you live in a cold to moderate climate where the temperature gets below freezing, you will want to weatherize your barrel to prevent damaging it in the winter months. Remember, when water freezes, it also expands and may damage the various components of your rain barrel. To prevent damage to the components, rain barrels should be winterized before freezing weather occurs.
Winterizing your rain barrel is simple:
- Drain all water from the barrel and hoses
- Move barrel into a garage or storage shed. If you do not have the storage space, turn the barrel upside down to prevent water from entering. Be sure to cover the spigot opening to prevent water from collecting there as well.
- Reconnect gutter downspout or add temporary flexible gutter downspout to ensure water is diverted away from your house.
Winterizing your rain barrel will ensure many years of use and many gallons of water saved.
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