Posted on May 30, 2010
by
misbell
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The 55 gallon rain barrel is best for saving rainwater, global
warming crisis or not.
A rain barrel is a drum that is used to harvest and store rain water; the
most poplar being the 55gallon rain barrel. Most people put the 55 gallon
rain barrel at the end of guttering downspouts so that hen it rains, the
rainwater drains from the gutter into the drum. This water is normally used
for watering plants and maintaining the generally keeping a home’s
landscaping looking a healthy green. Rainwater can also be used to top up
the swimming pool and to wash the car.
A rain barrel is quite inexpensive consisting of: a 55 gallon drum, PVC
couplings, a vinyl hose, and a screen gate. This inexpensive product also
helps you save on your water bill. Instead of using tap water for watering
the lawn and other outdoor purposes, the conserved water comes in handy.
During peak summer months, a 55 gallon rain barrel can help homeowners save
close to 13000 gallons of water. Isn’t that just amazing! As you save the
environment, you are also saving on your money. For every inch of rainfall
on a 1000 foot surface, 500 gallons of water can be harvested.
Harvesting rain water helps in reducing the wash off of harmful chemicals
into streams and rivers. Poorly drained areas that use the rain barrels
experience less flooding. Imagine the positive effect we will have in the
world if we all take the initiative to harvest rain water.
Here are a couple of tips of how you can start saving your environment and
money using the 55 gallon rain barrel:
You will need a 55 gallon drum, drain widgets or screens, copper
faucets with washers, and a drill.
Ensure that your drum is food grade to be sure that it has no
potentially harmful substances.
Drill a hole big enough for the down spout to pass through on the top
of your drum
Drill a hole from the bottom of the barrel that is bi enough to
accommodate a copper house faucet. Fit the faucet using washes into
the water barrel using washers. Ensure there is pace for attaching a
hose to the faucet
Drill a hole 2 inches from the top of the drum to serve as the
overfill valve
Put the screen or drain widget into the top hole to prevent leaves and
debris from entering the drum.
Place the barrel in a position to allow the downspout to drain into
the widget.
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