Protect your rain barrels from external damage and put them on a platform.
How to strain leaves out of a gutter rain barrel.
Use fine wire mesh to keep leaves bugs and other materials from getting into the rain barrel.
Keep the rain barrel clean.
Use a platform or stand.
The leaf guards are a great way to keep debris out.
Remove overhanging branches and any debris on roofs or gutters.
Rain barrels provide an alternative to using municipal water or well water for irrigation.
Next use a hole saw to cut out a hole for overflow at the top of the barrel on the left side image 4.
Downspout filter for those without the alu rex leafguard system a funnel and clean out system can still be used to catch debris before it reaches your rain barrel.
A spigot or hose connector lets you drain the water for use around your landscape.
On the bottom of one barrel trace an opening for the downspout flex elbow connector with chalk then cut out with a jigsaw images 2 3.
Walk around your house during the next rain and observe the water.
A rain barrel is a container that collects runoff from your home s gutter system connecting to the downspout with a rain diverter or fitting under a modified downspout.
This means less cleaning for your rain gutters and rain barrels.
Most homes direct water into the barrel with gutters and downspouts but even homes without gutters can use a rain barrel.