Maintaining Your Rain Barrel
No matter what kind of rain barrel you have installed at your home, even if it is a simple, durable plastic barrel, it will require seasonal maintenance. The maintenance in the summer varies slightly from the maintenance in the winter. However, both are extremely necessary to keep your rain barrel functioning properly for many years.
Summer Maintenance
- Any standing water, including a large barrel of rain water, that is left sitting for more than a couple of days will end up causing a huge mosquito problem. The best way to prevent mosquitos from living in your rain barrel is to fully drain the water regularly. You can also use screens to cover up any openings in the barrel, use barely balls or install mosquito rings along the outside of the barrel.
Winter Maintenance
- Plastic and brass fittings may crack if rainwater is allowed to freeze inside of a rain barrel. Be sure to drain your barrel and leave the spigot open anytime that the temperature is going to be freezing for more than a day.
Year-Round Maintenance
- Once a year it is necessary to completely clean out your rain barrel. Use a scrub brush and vinegar. You can also use biodegradable soap, and be sure to completely rinse out the barrel. This will help the barrel function properly by removing any soil or algae that may have begin to build up.
- Keep the barrel free of twigs, leaves and other types of debris. You can place screens on the top of the rain barrel to make sure that only water enters the barrel. Also make sure you keep your gutters and downspouts clean.
- Even though the downspout diverter is not really part of the rain barrel, keeping it clean and free of clogs will help keep your rain barrel clean also.
- Frequently check the overflow spout and hose for clogs. This is done by simply pouring water through them. If an overflowed spout becomes clogged it can cause the rain barrel to tip over and water to back up into the gutters.