# RainBarrel

> Rain barrels for gardens & lawns


## Posts

- [Rain Barrel for a Small Balcony or Patio](https://rainbarrel.xyz/small-rain-barrel-for-patio/): The best rain barrel for a small balcony or patio is a slim 25 to 35-gallon upright barrel.
- [How to Fix a Leaking Rain Barrel Spigot (and Other Leaks)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/fix-leaking-rain-barrel-spigot/): A leaking rain barrel spigot is usually fixed in 15 minutes with a new rubber washer and a few wraps of plumber's Teflon tape.
- [How Much Rain Does It Take to Fill a 55-Gallon Barrel?](https://rainbarrel.xyz/how-much-rain-to-fill-a-rain-barrel/): It takes only about 0.09 inches of rain on a 1,000 square foot roof to fill a 55-gallon barrel.
- [Best Rain Barrel for Beginners: 5 Picks Compared](https://rainbarrel.xyz/best-rain-barrel-for-beginners/): The best rain barrel for beginners is a 55-gallon food-grade plastic drum kit, usually $60 to $90 with the spigot, lid, and overflow fitting included.
- [How Much Money Does a Rain Barrel Save? (Water-Bill Maths, Honest Answer)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/does-a-rain-barrel-save-money/): A rain barrel saves a little money, slowly.
- [Rain Barrel Maintenance Checklist: Monthly, Seasonal & Annual Tasks](https://rainbarrel.xyz/rain-barrel-maintenance-checklist/): Rain barrel maintenance takes about 10 minutes a month, and it prevents most barrel problems: smells, mosquitoes, leaks, and clogged spigots.
- [Best Roof for Rainwater Collection: Metal vs. Asphalt Shingle vs. Tile](https://rainbarrel.xyz/best-roof-for-rainwater-harvesting/): The best roof for rainwater collection is metal.
- [How to Water the Garden With a Rain Barrel (Soaker Hose + Gravity Pressure)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/watering-garden-with-rain-barrel/): Water the garden with a rain barrel by raising the barrel 18 to 24 inches on a stand, running a soaker hose from the spigot to the bed, and letting gravity do the work.
- [Why Is My Rain Barrel Water Smelly / Green / Slimy? (Causes + Fixes)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/rain-barrel-water-smells/): Rain barrel water smells bad, turns green, or feels slimy when three things combine: debris rotting at the bottom, sunlight feeding algae, and water sitting still for weeks.
- [DIY Rain Barrel Under $50: Food-Grade Drum, Parts List & Build](https://rainbarrel.xyz/diy-rain-barrel-under-50/): You can build a DIY rain barrel for under 50 dollars using a used food-grade 55-gallon drum, a brass spigot, a downspout diverter, and a mesh screen.
- [Can You Collect Rainwater in Texas? Rules, Limits & Rebates](https://rainbarrel.xyz/is-rainwater-harvesting-legal-in-texas/): Texas encourages rainwater harvesting, and collecting rainwater from your own roof for non-potable garden use is generally allowed in Texas, with conditions set by state law, local city ordinances, and your homeowners association.
- [Rain Barrel vs. Rain Tank: Which Size Is Right for Your Roof?](https://rainbarrel.xyz/rain-barrel-vs-water-tank/): For most homes, a rain barrel is the right choice for watering ornamental beds, and a rain tank is the right choice only if you want to water a whole yard or a large lawn.
- [How to Winterize a Rain Barrel (Step-by-Step for Freezing Climates)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/how-to-winterize-a-rain-barrel/): Winterize a rain barrel by draining it completely, disconnecting the diverter, restoring the downspout, and storing the barrel upside down before the first hard freeze.
- [How Long Will a 55-Gallon Rain Barrel Last? (Watering-Days Calculator)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/how-long-does-a-rain-barrel-last/): A full 55-gallon rain barrel lasts about one deep watering of a 200 square foot ornamental bed, or about two to three light waterings of the same bed.
- [How to Link Two Rain Barrels Together (Daisy-Chain Guide)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/how-to-connect-two-rain-barrels/): Linking two rain barrels together doubles your storage from 55 to 110 gallons, and it is the cheapest way to get more water without buying a bigger tank.
- [Rain Barrel Overflow: Where Should It Go? (And 3 Mistakes to Avoid)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/rain-barrel-overflow/): Rain barrel overflow should go at least 4 to 6 feet from your foundation, downhill, onto a lawn, an ornamental bed, a rain garden, or into a drain.
- [How to Keep Mosquitoes Out of a Rain Barrel (5 Methods That Work)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/mosquitoes-in-rain-barrel/): The most reliable way to keep mosquitoes out of a rain barrel is a fine mesh screen over every opening plus a tight-fitting lid that stays closed.
- [First Flush Diverter: What Size Do You Need? (10 Gal per 1,000 Sq Ft Rule)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/first-flush-diverter-size/): A first flush diverter should hold about 10 gallons for every 1,000 square feet of roof that drains into your barrel.
- [Rain Barrel Setup: Stand, Spigot, Overflow & Diverter Explained](https://rainbarrel.xyz/rain-barrel-setup/): A working rain barrel setup has four parts: a level stand, a spigot near the bottom, an overflow near the top, and a diverter in the downspout.
- [How to Install a Rain Barrel in a Weekend (Step-by-Step, Under $100)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/how-to-install-a-rain-barrel/): You can install a rain barrel in one weekend afternoon for under $100, with basic hand tools and no plumbing experience.
- [Is Rainwater Safe for the Garden? What the CDC Actually Says](https://rainbarrel.xyz/is-rainwater-safe-for-the-garden/): Rainwater from a barrel is fine for ornamental garden beds, shrubs, and lawns — but it is not safe to drink, and the CDC recommends tap or bottled water for watering plants you plan to eat.
- [How Many Rain Barrels Do I Need? (Roof Size + Rainfall Table)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/how-many-rain-barrels-do-i-need/): For most homes, start with one 55-gallon barrel, and add a second if your roof is over 1,000 sq ft or you water ornamental beds often.
- [How Much Rainwater Can a 1,000 Sq Ft Roof Collect? (With Table)](https://rainbarrel.xyz/how-much-rainwater-1000-sq-ft-roof/): A 1,000 square foot roof collects 623 gallons from 1 inch of rain before any losses, and about 530 gallons after a typical 85% collection efficiency.
- [Rain Barrel Calculator: How Many Gallons Will Your Roof Collect?](https://rainbarrel.xyz/rain-barrel-calculator/): A 1,000 square foot roof collects about 520 gallons from just 1 inch of rain, after an 85% collection efficiency and a 10-gallon first flush.

## Pages

- [Sitemap](https://rainbarrel.xyz/sitemap/): Every page and guide on RainBarrel, in one place.
- [About the Author](https://rainbarrel.xyz/about-the-author/): Hi, I'm Ritika — the home gardener behind RainBarrel. I collect roof rainwater in barrels at home — one barrel, one season, one mistake at a time.
- [Terms of Service](https://rainbarrel.xyz/terms-of-service/): These terms govern your use of the RainBarrel website at rainbarrel.xyz (“the site”). By using the site, you agree to these terms.
- [Disclaimer](https://rainbarrel.xyz/disclaimer/): The information on RainBarrel is general information only. It is not professional advice, and it is not a substitute for advice from a qualified professional.
- [Contact](https://rainbarrel.xyz/contact/): Thank you for visiting RainBarrel!
- [About Us](https://rainbarrel.xyz/about/): RainBarrel is a small, independent guide to collecting roof rainwater in a barrel and using it in the garden.
- [Privacy Policy](https://rainbarrel.xyz/privacy-policy/): RainBarrel (“we”, “us”, “our”) runs the website at rainbarrel.xyz.


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