Are rain barrels easy to build?

ASK THE HORT AGENT

Question Are rain barrels easy to build?

Answer Yes and no. The construction of a rain barrel is fairly straightforward. It basically consists of drilling 3 holes in a 55 gallon container. As easy as it sounds, there may be a few potential snags along the way.

A basic rain barrel is a container that collects and stores rainwater from a rooftop. Using gravity, the water can be released into a garden when necessary. Water collected in a rain barrel would normally flow through a downspout and be considered runoff. Most rain barrels are constructed from some type of recycled 55 gallon container.

The first minor snag in rain barrel construction is finding a suitable container. You can search the internet for “used plastic drums and containers.” Quickly you realize the industrial world does not cater to an individual looking for 1 to 3 containers. While the cost of a container may be low, the shipping cost may be high. You may be lucky enough to clear this hurdle if you know somebody that knows somebody that works some place where they can get you one for free.

Another snag to anticipate is leaking. Plastic containers will hold water forever until you start drilling holes in them. Every hole is a new weak spot in the system. Some do-it-yourself designs recommend metal fittings. Others recommend PVC or some type of plastic fittings. Pay special attention to recommendations for the use of Teflon tape, plumbers goop, silicone sealant, or PVC cement for attaching these fittings. These products are meant to ensure a tight, anti-leak seal. Keep in mind the nature of water is to leave if you want it to stay, and to come in if you want it to stay out.

Disconnect and drain the rain barrels during the winter months to keep freezing temperatures from causing an abundance of cracks and leaks.

The weight and volume of water entering the rain barrel can also cause problems. Most folks don’t realize water weighs 8 pounds per gallon. That comes to 440 pounds per 55 gallon barrel. The base, underneath the rain barrel, MUST be sturdy and level.

Proper overflow connections are essential to prevent drainage issues. Excess water must not be allowed to pool around the barrel once full. Adding extra rain barrels is one overflow option that will also capture more water.

The last snag is finding the time to make this project happen. Luckily, cool weather and holidays are coming up. Once the supplies have been gathered, this construction project should not take over a couple hours. Hopefully, it won’t end up like Homer Simpson’s barbecue pit project (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mom_and_Pop_Art).

If you have any questions about rain barrels, then visit this website http://www.dnr.state.md.us/ed/rainbarrel.html If you do not have internet access, then call me at (910) 893-7533 or email me at gpierce@harnett.org

For the folks that know their limitations, visit http://www.composters.info/ then click on “rain barrels.” Let me warn you about the rain barrels made from Kentucky Bourbon barrels. They cause people to drink from the spigot, and that ain’t safe.

Gary L. Pierce

Horticulture Extension Agent

Harnett County