I'm thinking about installing a rain barrel
- Thread starter Ben Hogan
- Start date
Here is a nice one I use. I don't really use the water for grass but use it on my vegetable garden and works fine...
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00F5405R4/ref=pd_aw_sbs_86_7?refRID=17CA931442H80KVSDF11
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B00F5405R4/ref=pd_aw_sbs_86_7?refRID=17CA931442H80KVSDF11
You can sit it on some patio stones no probs.
LeeValley has one with a faucet etc for $80.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=71833&cat=2,2280
LeeValley has one with a faucet etc for $80.
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=71833&cat=2,2280
Yes and no. Some are properly designed so no issues. With some you do get this problem. To get around this people use pucks if they have the issue.
I've thought the same thing but apparently there are mesh covers for them or something that keeps the mosquitos away? I've also thought about getting a rain barrel for my vegetable garden.
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We've had ours for a couple of years now with no problems. It sits right on the dirt in the garden; raising it on blocks would increase the pressure so it would drain faster, but there's no other reason. Mosquitos aren't an issue because the unit is sealed except for the intake from the downspout and that's covered with a mesh as tight as window screen that also keeps leaves and debris out. The overflow is handled by cheap black sump-hose that dumps that water 25' away. We don't actually collect water, the drain valve has a drip irrigation hose attached and we leave that open, so what fills the barrel in a downpour slowly waters the garden.
When the City did downspout diversion — before Rob's cost-cutting — they pointed out the desirability of a diverter so you could direct the flow past the barrel if there was danger of a freeze (the plastic could be damaged if the barrel's full) or there was a real deluge. You don't want the torrent overwhelming the barrel and its overfow right next to your house. But the Home Despot guys just looked blank when I asked for one. I jury-rigged my own bypass, which wasn't too hard with my round plastic downspout and a Y connector. The flexi plastic joiners and outflows for the square pipe could likely be easily adapted to do the job. Google 'downspout diverter' for lotsa inspiring pix and sales listings, including Home Desperate's and Lee Valley's.
When the City did downspout diversion — before Rob's cost-cutting — they pointed out the desirability of a diverter so you could direct the flow past the barrel if there was danger of a freeze (the plastic could be damaged if the barrel's full) or there was a real deluge. You don't want the torrent overwhelming the barrel and its overfow right next to your house. But the Home Despot guys just looked blank when I asked for one. I jury-rigged my own bypass, which wasn't too hard with my round plastic downspout and a Y connector. The flexi plastic joiners and outflows for the square pipe could likely be easily adapted to do the job. Google 'downspout diverter' for lotsa inspiring pix and sales listings, including Home Desperate's and Lee Valley's.
Mine have mesh covers, may have to put a rock on them, if exposed to wind, I have to.
I also understand that rain water is much better for plants than filtered water.
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I believe rainwater has nitrogen in it, if there was lightening during the rain fall, acts likes a fertilizer
$400 including HST and shipping? LOL!
You can buy a LOT of city water for that. Like about 100,000 rain barrels full.
The ONLY thing against municipally treated water in your garden is trace amounts of chlorine which may reduce some naturally occurring biological activity in the soil. But many tests have shown that there is no measurably effect on plant health or yield.
More greenwashing.
Where did you develop this belief?
There is no nitrogen in rainwater. And lightning generates ozone, not nitrogen.
True, the major reason to install a barrel is as part of disconnecting your downspouts from the storm sewers which is a City policy and required by law — which we don't have money to enforce. A minor reason might be convenient plant watering, or as we decided, the house looked nicer with that big Ali Baba-sized urn in the corner, where we didn't want another shrub.
When I owned a home, I made my own barrels. My neighbour worked for Labatt, and they would dispose of 100's of detergent barrels etc. I think they held about 45 gallons (170 litres).
All I did was cut a hole in the top large enough to put the down spout in, and be able to scoop the water out with a watering can. I then covered the top with a screen, and used a bungee cord around the top just below the edge to hold the screen on. I actually had about 8 of them lined up beside my garage (hidden), and connected together so they would all fill / drain at the same time.
All I did was cut a hole in the top large enough to put the down spout in, and be able to scoop the water out with a watering can. I then covered the top with a screen, and used a bungee cord around the top just below the edge to hold the screen on. I actually had about 8 of them lined up beside my garage (hidden), and connected together so they would all fill / drain at the same time.
Schlong, I was gonna say!
If you have an old wine barrel, I suppose you can convert it, but I figure it's more of a decorative thing.
Plus,...as I said,...rain water has more nutrients for plant life,...that is filtered out of municipal water.
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http://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/ol/B00F5405R4/ref=mw_dp_olp?ie=UTF8&condition=new
Nope its $ 269 on Amazon with shipping and HST
Or
$79 on home depot
http://m.homedepot.com/p/EarthMinde...gclid=CPmLjteKhsYCFdgDgQodc58A0Q&gclsrc=aw.ds
Although, I could care less about a hundred here or there. Its more about function and aesthetic... Would hate to penny pinch my life away.
Chears!
It's a neat accouterment.
However, isn't it a by-law that you cannot keep items that create standing water in an effort to deter mosquitoes and West Nile Virus?
I don't think so, because the system is well designed and sealed to mosquitoes. "Sealed system resists mosquitoes, insects, and algae growth." I guess it is not 100% but I did not notice any problems.
BYLAW 255-2004 https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sour...TdPuDeVtXvgt-p65A&sig2=2hUAYnIzK5CtfG9EEFzo4g
It mentiones..."creation of habitats for mosquitoes and rodents, ..." I interpret it that this is not being violated and reasonable precautions are taken to prevent this.
Municipality actually prefer this system for water storage and balance requirements... It helps in prevention of flooding in a whole system and overwhelming the treatment plants so in the big picture you are doing a positive thing for the SWM system including the sewer system and rivers during peak periods as it is slowly discharged back into the system. This should be encouraged.
Unless you interpret it differenly...I am not calling 411 to find out and get flagged...lol
BYLAW 255-2004 https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&sour...TdPuDeVtXvgt-p65A&sig2=2hUAYnIzK5CtfG9EEFzo4g
It mentiones..."creation of habitats for mosquitoes and rodents, ..." I interpret it that this is not being violated and reasonable precautions are taken to prevent this.
Municipality actually prefer this system for water storage and balance requirements... It helps in prevention of flooding in a whole system and overwhelming the treatment plants so in the big picture you are doing a positive thing for the SWM system including the sewer system and rivers during peak periods as it is slowly discharged back into the system. This should be encouraged.
Unless you interpret it differenly...I am not calling 411 to find out and get flagged...lol
Mostly, the water collected in the barrel is run-off from your roof. The nutrients come from the bird shit that washes into the barrel. Good for the garden. Don't drink it though.
I guess I should have included beneficial minerals for plant life.
But thanks for the warning about bird shit,...:biggrin1::Eek:
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