Rain Barrel Kit

Benefits of Rainwater Collection

There are obvious benefits to rainwater collection, including a reliable source of additional water from time to time and savings on your water bill. It is usually the money-saving aspect that propels most people to begin collecting rainwater. This is especially true for those who live in regions where they get significant amounts of rainfall on a regular basis. Collecting rainwater can greatly decrease your monthly water bill as it allows you to use the collected water for a number of tasks.

You do not need a filtration system to use rainwater on your garden; it can be taken directly from the rain barrel. It should be noted, however, the rainwater must be properly filtered before it can be used for drinking purposes. Rain is "soft” water, meaning it does not have many of the chemicals found in average tap water. This is why using rainwater is so beneficial to your lawn and garden.

There is also a benefit to those who live a “green” lifestyle, with a focus on the environment and conservation. By utilizing a natural resource, such as rainwater, you refrain from further depleting municipal water supplies.

Why Use a Rain Barrel

Most people use a rain barrel to collect extra water during some of the drier months of the year. Between the drought restrictions that have become so common throughout the summer months around much of the country and the escalating costs of city/county water supplies, more homeowners are turning to rainwater as an additional source of water. Rain barrels help in that effort by collecting this water for use in both home and garden endeavors.

Your rain barrel should always be disconnected before the start of the winter season. Don’t re-connect it until the beginning of spring and even then, wait until the first solid rain to flush away any dirt and debris before you begin using it again. This will reduce any chance of clogging the spigot on your barrel.

It is also important to properly wash your rain barrel anytime you disconnect it for an extended period of time. There are pre-mixed solutions you can use or you can create your own cleansing solution of castile soap and lemon juice. You should add the cleansing solution to your rain barrel and swirl it around before rinsing out with your hose. Be sure to remove any soapy residue from the barrel before you begin using it again.

Using a Rain Barrel Kit

You have the option of purchasing a fully-constructed rain barrel in your local home improvement store or simply purchasing a rain barrel kit to add to an existing barrel. Many people have a large barrel of some sort already around their home and they simply need the proper tools to complete their rain barrel. Most kits are easy to put together and simply require a few household tools and miscellaneous items. Here are three great kits:

• Rain Barrel Kit: This kit, which can be found at the Natural Rainwater web site, includes all of the proper tools, including a mesh screen and brass hose spigot. It also has illustrated instructions to show you exactly how to add the parts to the barrel.
• Rain Barrel Faucet: This do-it-yourself kit gives you step-by-step instructions on how to add a faucet to your existing barrel. Check this one out at the Rittenhouse site.
• Recycled Rain Barrel Collection System: The Abundant Earth web site brings you this fabulous rain barrel collection system. This kit allows you to easily connect two different barrels for an even larger rainwater collection system.

The instructions on these kits are easy to follow. Find the one that works best for you, get started on constructing your rain barrel and get on the road to savings on your water bill.