Comments on: How to Install a Rainbarrel

By: Sukhi Kaur

Sukhi Kaur — Thu, 19 May 2011 02:31:17 +0000

Hi there, I am from Ottawa and last month we had a outoor water ban, so we all had to invest in rain barrels for our gardens and etc. I bought a rain barrel but was in a delimma as to how should I install it, some people were charging $140.00 to install. I am so grateful for the instruction you have provided, this weekend I will attempt to do it myself.

By: Navin

Navin — Thu, 13 May 2010 13:59:48 +0000

Hi Sally,
We live in Ajax, ON, very close to Scarborough and were wondering if you can let us know where you sourced the barrels from.
I see couple of places to buy them, but want to buy a tried product.

By: rebecca

rebecca — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:11:38 +0000

I'm a graphic designer for Snohomish County local government. rebecca.lindahl@snoco.org and I'm wondering if I can have permission to use some of your pictures (rain barrel compost and food scraps) for a brochure I'm creating. Please let me know. thanks!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:08:15 +0000

Hi, I’m from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection and we are adding a page on our website about down spouts and rain barrels. I really liked the pictures you used on your article on this subject. We would be very grateful if you would grant us permission to use your pictures and captions on our government site as a guide to how to install a rain barrel. You would of course get credit for your pictures. Please e-mail me at kenigr01@montgomerycountymd.gov. Thank you so much.

~Rachel

By: Nina Gerulski

Nina Gerulski — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:26:24 +0000

read in a few places that the water collected from a downspout should not be used in a vegetable garden due to contamination from animals on the roof. myth or fact?

By: Rob

Rob — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 00:35:05 +0000

Another consideration is debris from your downspouts.
You want to be able to remove unwanted leaves, twigs, pine needles, etc that may flow down the spout. A screen on the barrel will enable you to do this without restricting the flow of water through the downspout. As well, the screen prevents mosquitoes from entering your barrel. Too many barrels in retail stores have loose screens on them that can be removed too easily. Do your homework before purchasing your barrels.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:48:27 +0000

This will be 2nd try at gardening. The first was 32 years ago. For many years we’ve been talking with a friend about putting a garden at his place. The one drawback has been a water issue. They have a cistern and not wanting to use their water for the garden we didn’t know what else to do. This will work perfectly for us. I just have to find them in my area.

By: 12 Easy Ways To Go Green (And Save Cash) » TipNut.com

12 Easy Ways To Go Green (And Save Cash) » TipNut.com — Fri, 16 May 2008 12:31:04 +0000

[...] Rain Water: Take advantage of free rain water for your garden & lawn needs, see How to Install a Rainbarrel, How to Harvest Rainwater, Build a Rain Garden and Rain Barrel [...]

By: Chad

Chad — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:10:07 +0000

Hey everyone, Chad from envirosponsible here. Soaker hoses work perfectly with a rain barrel, as long as the tap is a few inches higher than the hose.

Using a soaker hose will save you time since you don’t have to fill can after can. Simply place the soaker hose where you want to water, open the rain barrel tap, and finish by closing the tap.

Rain barrels fill quickly, and one good rain storm will fill 3-6 barrels connected together onto one downspout easily.

A good way to insure your setup won’t flood your foundation, other than a multiple barrel system, is to attach a downspout diverter kit. That way, when the barrel’s full, the water is diverted back down the downspout. It’s also great for leaving your rain barrel connect when you’re away or traveling.

Please visit our site for more information including videos. http://www.envirosponsible.com

By: Randy

Randy — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:41:11 +0000

I wanted to use my rain barrels but I wasn’t sure if they would work with a soaker hose. Any experience with that?