Recycled oak rain barrels
 These former
Napa Valley wine casks are perfect for use as rain barrels. They
come ready to go with a spigot at the bottom, a hole for water at the top and an
overflow valve.
The details:
Capacity: 55 gallons.
Construction: African Oak, with steel bands. Built in France.
Height:
36 inches; diameter: 27 inches; weight: 90 pounds.
Please contact us at
Sales@MarshProducts.com for ordering information and
more details.
What is a rain barrel?
On most houses, rain falls on the roof, runs down the gutters and
into the ground. Often, the water drains nowhere near where it's needed.
A rain barrel is placed directly under a downspout and collects water
running off the roof. When you want to use the water for gardens or
for houseplants, simply attach a hose and open the tap or fill a
watering can.
Why use a rain barrel?
It’s free! Water falls from the sky, instead of flowing from your
faucet and your checkbook to pay the utility company.
No
energy added: Nature fills the barrel for you and gravity
distributes the water to your plants when they need it.
Plants are connoisseurs: Your plants will thrive on naturally soft
water, rather than potable water with additives such as chlorine and
fluorine.
Reduces the burden on our municipalities: Turning on the tap means your
municipal H2O dollars must flow from a water treatment facility, pumping
station and pipeline network. Using your rain barrel reservoir saves money
and power and is all around eco-friendly.
You don’t double pay: When you use tap water, you are paying for it
coming and going. As the meter turns, it clocks and charges for the
water the comes out of the tap AND charges a sewer fee based on what
comes out as if its going to go down the drain.
How to install and care for your oak rain barrel
Handling the rain barrel: When moving or lifting the barrel, at least
two people capable of lifting 50 pounds are required. Never try to move
a barrel with water in it. Do not roll the barrel, as it may damage the
tap (spigot) and even the wood.
Setting up your rain barrel: Position your barrel under the downspout of
your gutter system and center it on a firm base, preferably on a flat
and stable platform 14” or more above the ground. This will allow you to
place a watering can below the spigot to draw water. Retaining wall
bricks work well for this purpose.
Cut
and redirect the downspout with a couple of gutter elbows so the outlet
is just above the hole in the top of the barrel.
Your
Rain Barrel can also be located in an open area, not connected to a
gutter system. You will be surprised how much water can be collected
this way.
To
prevent insects (especially mosquitoes), small animals and debris
(leaves etc.) from entering the barrel, cover the top opening with
screening material.
Care required of your rain barrel is minimal. Water may leak between the
staves when you first get your barrel set up, or after the barrel has
been empty from a dry spell. This is normal, as the oak staves may dry
out and shrink a bit. Simply fill your barrel to the brim, soak the
outside and it will tighten up in a couple of days. During winter, cover
or store away from harsh weather.
Putting your rain barrel to good use
The bottom tap (spigot) can be connected to a standard hose for watering
plants, or to a soaker hose for slowly draining the barrel during dry
spells.
 The top hose connector is for water overflow and can be connected to a
hose to redirect water to areas farther away, or can be used to link
multiple rain barrels for storage of even more rain water.
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