Turn Your Gutters into a Rain Collector with a Rain Barrel

Let’s face it; this summer has been the complete opposite of last summer here in Western Massachusetts. While last July was the rainiest July on record in Massachusetts, the last couple of months have seen little if any rain. Most counties are declaring water restrictions to help combat the drought, which leaves our yards looking parched and yellow.

However, when it does rain in the summer, it usually pours. While we might get a quarter of an inch of rain in an hour or two, most of that rain will run off and leave our grass thirsty as ever. Yet, did you know that your humble roof collects 550 gallons of rainwater per every 1,000 square feet of collection surface (per inch of rain?) It’s true. 

With that said, why not install a rain barrel and turn your roof into a rain collector to take advantage of those sparse downpours that summer is offering us? Your yard and garden will thank you.

What is a Rain Barrel?

A rain barrel is exactly what it sounds like; a large barrel that acts as a rain collector. Barrels can be made of a variety of materials but have one thing in common; residential rain barrels are typically installed on a downspout to collect a portion of the water that runs off of your roof during rain. Rain barrels usually come in 40–80-gallon sizes, and you'd be surprised how many gallons you can collect in just one downpour.

What are the Benefits of a Rain Barrel?

There are several benefits to having a rain barrel on your property.

• Rainwater is naturally healthy for plants

• Water collected through a rain barrel is not subject to community restrictions on water use during a drought

• Using rainwater for your watering needs will reduce your water bill

• Less stormwater runoff means less pollution enters our waterways

• Rain barrels, when properly installed, have no impact on the functionality of your gutters

Installation is Easy (If You’re a Little Handy)

We recommend having someone handy install your rain barrel, although the process itself is straightforward. As enticing as it might be, don't simply put your barrel on the ground. You'll want to raise your barrel so that it's well above the level of your yard and/or garden to generate enough positive water pressure to connect a hose and nozzle to your barrel.

While some recommend cutting your downspout and fitting your rain barrel directly underneath, we don’t recommend that; a downspout diverter is the better option. When your downspout drains directly into your barrel, it can cause excess water against your foundation once your barrel is full. As we said earlier, you’d be surprised by how fast a barrel can fill.

A downspout diverter is a simple mechanism that fits into the middle of your downspout. It screens leaf debris while diverting roughly 50% of the rainwater into your barrel. The other 50% goes through your downspout as it normally would. Once your barrel is full, 100% of the rainwater will pass through your downspout. We like diverters because you can cap them off entirely for the winter as well.

But first, you must have an upgraded gutter system that functions properly. Our professionals will come out and give you a free quote on a new gutter system, just give us a call.