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Here’s How to Choose the Right Rain Barrel

A rain barrel is an easy way to green up your home. A rain barrel collects rainwater from your roof, reducing water and pollution run-off, municipal sewer back-ups and tap water use. Watering your garden with rainwater can help your garden weather drought and shrink your water bill, too. Ready to dive in? Here’s what you need to know.

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Rain Barrel Materials

Rain barrels are typically made from plastic of wood. Knowing which material is better for your needs and outdoor space, will help you narrow down your rain barrel design choices.

A plastic rain barrel

A wooden rain barrel
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Rain Barrel Styles

Rain barrels come in different shapes and sizes, for reasons of both style and utility. Once you know if you’d prefer a plastic or wooden rain barrel, you can zero in on a style choice. Here are some rain barrel styles worth considering.

Rain Barrel/Planter

This multipurpose rain barrel combines a water reservoir with a built-in planter overtop.

• Adds more growing space to a small garden

• Turns a rain barrel into a backyard or deck design feature

• Material: plastic (finish options may include pottery, wicker, rattan or wood)

TIP: Increase your yard’seco-friendliness by planting pollinator-feeding native plants in the integrated planter.

Flat Back Rain Barrels

This space-savvy rain barrel is designed to sit flush against any wall.

• Streamlined design saves space and creates a tidy appearance

• No need to modify downspout to meet the rain barrel

• Material: plastic (finish options may include pottery, wicker, rattan or wood)

TIP: With their easy-to-install profile, flat back rain barrels are the simplest DIY option.

Collapsible Rain Barrels

This portable rain barrel is a lightweight, storage-savvy option.

• Collapse and stow when not in use

• Easy to move from home to cottage

• Material: PVC tarpaulin

TIP: Collapsible rain barrels are more likely to tip, so ensure the ground it is sitting on is perfectly levelled.

Decorative Rain Barrels

These novelty rain barrels are used to reinforce the design aesthetic of your yard space.

• Available in various designs and colours, including faux pottery, wicker, rattan or metal, as well as real or faux wood

• Turns a rain barrel into a backyard or deck design feature

• Material: plastic (finish options may include pottery, stone, rattan, etc.) or wood

TIP: Decorative rain barrels cost more than standard ones, so save this splurge for high-profile locations.


Rain Barrel Features

The following features can help you improve the safety, utility and convenience of your rain barrel. Some features may be part of a rain barrel’s design, while others may require a separate purchase.

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Capacity

Residential rain barrels average 40 to 80 gallons of capacity, with some options above and below. Your yard space will likely dictate your choice.

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Debris Screen

A stainless-steel screen is a must to keep your rain barrel free of debris and bugs (including mosquitoes, which lay their eggs in standing water).

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Child- and Pet-Proof

A secure lid is essential for protecting kids and pets from potential drowning. (For added security, consider anchoring your rain barrel to a wall with a ratchet strap or other method.)

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Overflow Valve

An overflow valve diverts excess water when the rain barrel is full. Connect it to a length of plastic tubing to send excess water into your lawn or garden, away from your house foundation.

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Pump

While gravity-fed hoses can be used to water directly from a rain barrel, there won’t be enough pressure for a spray nozzle. Want more water pressure? Add a rain barrel pump.

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Shut off Valve and & Hose Hook Up

The shut off valve and hose hook up on your rain barrel allow you to easily attach a garden hose when needed and turn it off when not in use.

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Hose

Some rain barrels are sold with a hose, although a separate purchase may be justified for those seeking a specialty product such as a soaker hose.

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Linkability

Some rain barrels are designed to be linkable. If the first rain barrel gets full, the rainwater overflow will be directed to the linked barrel.

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UV Resistance

Look for a rain barrel made with a UV-resistant material so it is better able to withstand direct sunlight and hold up against the elements.

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