Have you ever thought about investing in a rain barrel? About 40% of the total water used by each household is used for watering lawns and gardens. If you have a rain barrel, you can collect and even store rainwater that would otherwise be lost as run-off eventually heading to drains.
That rainwater can be used to water your garden and yard and can be especially helpful during a drought or when there are water restrictions. Here are a few tips for buying a rain barrel that would be a great investment for your home.
The 5 Best Rain Barrels
- Good Ideas Impressions Nantucket Rain Saver Rain Barrel
- RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Water Collection Barrel
- FCMP Outdoor Urn Style Rain Barrel
- mirainbarrel Rain Barrel (Our Top Pick)
- Emsco Group 50-Gallon Rain Barrel
Our Top Pick for the Best Rain Barrel
Our top pick for the best rain barrel is the mirainbarrel Rain Barrel. The mirainbarrel is ideal for the outdoors as it can withstand high temperatures, does exactly what it is designed for, and will look great in your yard.
It has a large 58-gallon capacity which is more than most rain barrels will hold, and it is easy to assemble. The mirainbarrel is very durable and is made of a molded plastic that won’t chip or crack and its nice rich brown will complement your garden or courtyard.
Check the price on AmazonChoosing Rain Barrel Material
The best way to choose a rain barrel is to choose one that goes with your house’s style. They are available in ceramic, wood, metal, stone, and plastic. Rain barrels vary from a smaller 15-gallon size to larger commercial rain barrels that can hold upwards of 1000-gallons.
They are also usually opaque so that the stored water is not exposed to sunlight which limits the number of algae that can grow inside the barrel.
The Different Rain Barrels Materials
– Plastic or Polyethylene
- One of the more popular options
- It is lightweight and cheap
- Tends to fall apart in the outdoors so it needs to be stored where there is enough UV protection
- Can be found in all shapes and colors
– Stone or Ceramic Clay
- Great for catching a small amount of rain
- Very decorative and great for small gardens
- Can be difficult to install
– Wood
- Gives your home a rustic feel
- Water cannot be contaminated with BPA
- More expensive than plastic
- Has a heavier catchment system
- Can be purchased in beechwood, hickory, oak, and cedar
– Metal
- Great for large rain storage
- Can use flexible membrane liners
- Is used for more permanent rain storage
- Not as attractive for residential use
Storing Rain Water
In regions where drought is a common occurrence, water storage tanks can be a great investment. If you live in a region where there is a lot of rain then a small rain barrel will be adequate to store your water needs for sporadic dry spells.
Always make sure your rain barrels are tightly sealed and covered which will reduce mosquito problems and keeps the barrels from being a drowning hazard for children. Also, make sure your barrel is secured to the ground so it will not fall over.
Retrieving Your Water
Retrieving your water can be done with a spigot, electric, or manual pump. Most tanks are equipped with a regular garden spigot at the bottom of the tank that can be hooked up to a garden hose. If you have a larger barrel system, a pump can be used to retrieve the water. Since hand pumps need to be worked manually, electric pumps are easier to use but are more expensive.
Moving Your Water
With your rainwater system, water must be taken from the rain barrel to a storage tank so you can use it. Gutters can help move water to where you want to store it as well as downspouts. It’s possible to use an existing downspout to move excess water into a barrel or away from your house when the barrel is full.
Calculating Collections
So, now you’re wondering how much water you will be able to collect. This is really determined by the rainfall where you live and how large your roof is. For 1-inch of rainfall over a square foot area, you will get about 0.6-gallons of water. You then multiply that by how many inches of rain you get on average each month and multiply that by how wide your roof is in feet.
Example calculation
Gallons of rain captured in one month = amount of rainfall for one month in inches * 0.6 * how wide your roof is in feet.
Installation & Maintenance
- Make sure your rain barrel is covered
- Keep your rain barrel clean as well as your gutters and downspouts
- Prevent blockage with regular cleanings
- Regularly flush out debris from the bottom of the container
- Inspect your system for leaks and overflows after heavy rains and the end of your rainy season
- If you notice overflow issues, look for a way to store the extra water or get an additional rain barrel if needed
- Prepare your barrel for winter by turning it over if storing outside or making sure it is empty if storing inside for the winter
- Protect the siding on your home with a sheet of wood placed in between the siding and the downspout
- Watch out for sharp edges when working with the downspout to prevent injuries
5 Best Rain Barrels – Reviews
1. Good Ideas Impressions Nantucket Rain Saver Rain Barrel
The Good Ideas Impressions Nantucket Rain Saver Rain Barrel is shaped like an urn and its wicker design will add class and sophistication to your rain collecting. This sturdy BPA-free 50-gallon rain barrel comes with a large 4-inch planter on top which helps to drain extra water so you can avoid root rot.
Its mesh screen keeps out insects and blocks debris from entering your water supply. The Rain Wizard comes with dual brass spigots for use with a hose or 5-gallon bucket. You can choose from 2 colors, black or dark brown.
- Sturdy BPA-free 50-gallon barrel comes with a 4-inch planter that drains extra water to avoid root rot
- Mesh screen keeps out insects and blocks debris
- Dual brass spigots
- Available in black or dark brown
Pros
- Easy to install
- Well-built and great to look at
- Handy to have close to flower beds for easy watering
Cons
- Not does not have a flat back design
- Can leak when full
2. RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Water Collection Barrel
RTS Home Accents 50-Gallon Rain Water Collection Barrel is a great solution to any water shortage. The RTS Rain Barrel has a realistic oak barrel texture that is molded into each barrel that will not fade, rot, or be exposed to insect infestation.
It has a flat back to sit snugly against a wall and can be linked to other rain barrels to increase overall capacity. It also comes with a screen to keep out insects and debris and a shut-off valve to hook up hoses with a dual overflow.
The RTS Rain Barrel has a capacity of 50-gallons and can help reduce your average water usage and pay for itself in just a couple of seasons. It comes with a front side overflow that keeps water from flooding against any outside walls of your home. It also has an optional barrel stand that creates a balance between the ground and spigot making it easier to fill your watering can.
- Realistic oak barrel texture that won’t fade, rot, or get infested with insects
- Flat black allows the barrel to fit against walls and can be linked to other barrels
- Helps you save water and money
- Has an optional stand
- Comes with a screen to keep out insects and debris
- Does not have large openings so it is child and pet safe
- Comes with a brass spigot shut off valve
- Front side overflow keeps water from flooding against the outside of your home
Pros
- Can link up several barrels to increase overall storage
- Set up is easy and instructions are easy to follow
- No leakage around the faucet
Cons
- Front overflow detracts from the overall look of the barrel
- When the barrel is full of water, the back becomes bowed
3. FCMP Outdoor Urn Style Rain Barrel
The FCMP Outdoor Urn Style Rain Barrel is a gorgeous piece that will complement the exterior of any home. It comes with a planter at the top that will enhance the look of the rain barrel. The barrel is both functional and a great decorative piece for your yard. It is made of high-quality plastic that is durable enough for the outdoors.
The finish of the rain barrel is beautiful and lively so it is perfect for any setting. The barrel has a flat back design that allows it to be placed against walls for stability and support. It comes with a screen that filters out debris and pollutants plus a brass spigot that can link it to other barrels with the use of a hose.
- Comes with a 5-gallon planter that is built-in with a drainage hole
- Durable barrel made of UV resistant recycled plastic
Pros
- Perfect for a front yard drain
- Great addition to décor in gardens and matches terra cotta planters
Cons
- Hole at the top is too small so there is a lot of overflows
- Spigot tends to leak
- Hose holder is weak and pulls out
4. mirainbarrel Rain Barrel
The mirainbarrel Rain Barrel not only looks stylish with a beautiful rich brown color but the plastic construction offers long-term durability. Made from food-grade high-density plastic, the 58-gallon rain barrel is capable of enduring very high temperatures.
- Rich brown color
- Food-grade high-density plastic construction
- Easily accessible brass spigot for filling watering cans
- Comes with an overflow valve
- Easy on/off twist top lid with plastic mesh screen
Pros
- Beautiful appearance
- Set up and installation is easy, no special tubes needed to hook up the barrel
- Comes with a brass faucet that is high enough to fill a watering can
- Brass Spigot is sealed with waterproof 100% silicone caulk
Cons
- Expensive for what you get
- May crack after a mild winter
- Overflow valve is not big enough
5. Emsco Group 50-Gallon Rain Barrel
The Emsco Group 50-Gallon Rain Barrel features an attractive rustic whiskey barrel design which is available in brown or distressed gray. As the 50-gallon barrel is made of heavy-duty molded plastic, it will not crack, chip, or fade with time.
Its downspout diverter system automatically channels rainwater from the downspout to the water collection reservoir, which eliminates any drainage problems. The Emsco rain barrel comes with an integrated planter that has a built-in weep hole to prevent root rot, an outlet hose, and the barrel’s flat back design helps to maximize outdoor space.
- Attractive rustic whiskey barrel design
- Heavy-duty molded plastic will not crack, chip, or fade
- Downspout diverter system
- Integrated planter has a built-in weep hole to prevent root rot
Pros
- Beautiful barrel
- Really durable
- Easy to assemble and come with a great planter on top
Cons
- Cheap drain hose, need to replace with a better hose
- Some of the barrels did not have instructions on how to connect the barrel to the downspout
Our Top Pick for the Best Rain Barrel
Our top pick for the best rain barrel is the mirainbarrel Rain Barrel. The mirainbarrel is ideal for the outdoors as it can withstand high temperatures, does exactly what it is designed for, and will look great in your yard.
It has a large 58-gallon capacity which is more than most rain barrels will hold and it is easy to assemble. The mirainbarrel is very durable and is made of a molded plastic that won’t chip or crack and its nice rich brown will complement your garden or courtyard.
Check the price on Amazon
