Throughout the hotter months, rain barrels seize rain water, cut back runoff, and make our gardens and watering practices extra sustainable. However when winter arrives, freezing temperatures can forestall rain barrels from working, and even destroy rain barrel methods. Relying on the place you reside, you could have to winterize your rain barrel earlier than the climate turns chilly. Use this information to search out out what to do in your local weather.

Ought to You Winterize Your Rain Barrel?

Though ceramic, plastic, and wood rain barrels are fairly sturdy, these barrels can rupture when water freezes and expands inside them. Rain barrel equipment, like tubing, lids, and spigots, will also be broken by chilly climate, whereas steel rain barrels gained’t operate as soon as temperatures drop beneath freezing.

Whether or not or not you’ll have to winterize your rain barrel relies upon lots in your rising location. In case you stay in a gentle local weather the place it doesn’t freeze, you often gained’t have to winterize barrels in any respect, and you could even be capable of use your rain barrel by way of winter. However in case you stay in an space the place winter temperatures keep beneath freezing for prolonged intervals of time, winterizing is a should.

When to Winterize Rain Barrels

Late fall to early winter is the most effective time to winterize rain barrels, however you could have to winterize earlier in case you’re anticipating a interval of maximum chilly. Rain barrels can often deal with brief intervals of chilly climate so long as the nippiness would not stick round lengthy sufficient for water to freeze stable. However you’ll positively need to ensure that your rain barrel is protected earlier than the primary onerous freeze of the season.

Find out how to Winterize Rain Barrels

Correctly winterizing rain barrels prevents injury and helps rain barrels last more. However winterization strategies will range relying on how chilly your space will get in winter.

Delicate Climates

In case you stay in space the place winters are gentle, you might be able to use your rain barrel all winter lengthy with out winterization. Nevertheless, in case you stay in a spot the place temperatures often dip beneath freezing, you will want to winterize your rain barrel. The next suggestions can be utilized to maintain rain barrels from freezing in gentle climates the place intervals of freezing temperatures are uncommon and don’t final lengthy.

• Let it drip. Opening your rain barrel spigot simply sufficient to launch a mild drip of water can maintain rain barrels from freezing on a chilly night time. Simply bear in mind to shut the spigot within the morning.
• Set up a fountain pump. Since shifting water takes longer to freeze, you need to use a fountain pump to maintain the water in your rain barrel shifting. This technique is extra dependable than the drip technique, however requires an electrical energy supply.
• Add insulation. Insulated rain barrel covers and blankets can be utilized to guard rain barrels too. A size of froth pipe insulation is right for insulating rain barrel spigots.

Chilly Climates

Sadly, fountain pumps and insulation can solely achieve this a lot they usually gained’t maintain rain barrels from freezing in areas that have lengthy spells of extreme chilly. In these places, rain barrels will must be drained earlier than winter and stowed in a protected spot. Comply with these step-by-step directions to verify your rain barrel system is prepared for the winter.

1. Drain the water. Open your rain barrel spigot and permit the water to empty away or seize the water and use it to irrigate your backyard one final time earlier than winter. When the barrel is generally empty, gently tip it to at least one facet and pour out any water remaining on the base of the barrel.
2. Clear it up. After draining the barrel, detach your barrel out of your downspout, reattach the downspout to your gutter, after which rinse the barrel along with your hose. In case your barrel is tremendous
   soiled or lined with algae, scrub it down with a mop or brush and a diluted vinegar combination made with ¼ cup of distilled white vinegar, 1 gallon of water, and 1 teaspoon of gentle cleaning soap earlier than the ultimate rinse. Utilizing a stress washer is one other good possibility.
3. Detach the equipment. Depart the barrel spigot open and detach the entire detachable equipment out of your rain barrel, together with the tubing, spigot, and lid. Dry this stuff and retailer them individually in your storage, basement, or one other protected spot.
4. Retailer the barrel. Ceramic barrels must be introduced indoors, whereas plastic, wood, and steel barrels may be saved open air or in your storage, basement, or potting shed. In case you determine to
   maintain your barrel outdoors throughout winter, invert the barrel to maintain water from accumulating inside and retailer the barrel in a sheltered space that’s protected against sturdy winds and direct solar.