Category Rain Barrels & Water Storage

Winterize a rain barrel before freezing weather by draining it and protecting its fittings, hoses, and base. See when outdoor storage is safe for the barrel.

A 5-gallon bucket can collect rainfall, but its gallon marks do not show rain depth. Measure the opening and water volume to calculate inches of rain.

At-home E. coli tests can screen water for contamination, but they cannot certify it as safe to drink. Learn how kits work and when to use a laboratory.

Mosquito Bits can treat non-potable rain-barrel water when the label permits it. Learn how Bti controls larvae and how to apply it without misusing the water.

Zip ties can secure light, low-pressure tubing temporarily, but they do not replace hose clamps on watertight or pressurized connections. Know where each fits.

A rain barrel can collect runoff without a gutter, but capture is less efficient and harder to control. Compare roof valleys, diverters, and gutter sections.

Pool noodles offer limited, temporary protection for exposed pipes, but gaps, moisture, and weathering reduce their value. See when proper insulation is safer.

Routine hydrogen peroxide dosing is rarely the best fix for a backyard rain barrel. Control debris, light, turnover, and cleaning before considering treatment.

An old whiskey barrel can collect rain for landscape watering if it is sound and watertight. Check its history, fittings, overflow, insects, and upkeep first.

Gutters work well on metal roofs when sizing, hangers, slope, and downspouts handle the fast runoff. Learn what prevents overshooting, overflow, and damage.