winterize a rain barrel is a must if you live in a cold climate like I do . leave it full of H2O when the temporary drop below freezing could severely damage , if not destroy it . In this post , I ’ll show you precisely how to set and stash away a pelting barrel for winter , stride by footstep .
The other Clarence Day my neighbour asked me what to do with her rain barrelful in winter . She just got a mates this summer , and was n’t indisputable what to do now that fall has arrived .
We survive in Minnesota where the temperature is well below freeze for most of the winter . So it ’s a no - brainer that the water would immobilise solid if we depart them outside .
Emptying my rain barrel before winterizing
Once it freeze upstanding , the icing could damage or put down it very quickly . That ’s why it ’s so important to learn how to properly winterize your rain barrel .
It does n’t weigh what material it ’s made of ( wood , plastic , metal , etc ) , there ’s no such thing as a freeze - proof or winter - safe rain barrel .
But do n’t interest , I ’m not sum yet another immense labor to yourfall garden chore list . It is actually very easy and does n’t take much time . Below I ’ll show you how to do it in 4 easy footmark .
Table of Contents
When To Winterize Your Rain Barrel
It ’s good to winterise your pelting barrel before the temperature shake off below freezing in the capitulation . That way you wo n’t risk the water freezing before you have a luck to run out it .
If it ’s already frozen , do n’t eff on the sides to bump the ice , or you could fracture yourrain gun barrel . Instead , move it to a sunny spot , or somewhere strong like a service department or shed so it can melt .
How To Winterize A Rain Barrel
There are just four steps you need to stick to so as to protect your rain cask from harsh winter weather condition .
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Step 1: Drain The Rain Barrel
The very first step is to drain it . Before I drain mine totally , I like to satisfy up a clump of jug with the rainwater first . That way I can continue using it on my indoor plant .
To drain it , simply open up the faucet all the way , and countenance the water swarm out . Once it leave out below the level of the spigot , it should be light enough to tippytoe so as to debilitate out the respite .
Step 2: Detach It From The Downspout
Next , unhook your rain bbl from the downspout . This should be a fairly straightforward step . Thedownspout tubingon mine just lays over the top , and is not seize to the barrel .
If yours is attached to the downspout , you may postulate a screwdriver or pliers to remove it . If you are clamber , do n’t force it , you do n’t want to circumstantially break it .
Step 3: Remove The Rain Barrel Lid & Attachments
Next , bump off everything that is attached to the rain barrel . This includes the hat , spigot(s ) , hosiery , tubing , and any other affixation .
It ’s authoritative to dispatch everything because if urine gets between them and freezes , it could damage the part and/or the cask .
Step 4: Replace The Missing Gutter Or Winterize The Diverter
Do n’t forget to reattach any gutter you remove when you installed your rain barrel , you ’ll definitely need those in workings condition amount give .
If you have adownspout diverter , it should come with a plug that you’re able to install , or a lever you’re able to switch over to winterize it .
That means , the water will run through the sewer like normal , and you do n’t need to transfer it to winterise it .
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Storing Your Rain Barrel For Winter
Before storing it , you might want to wash the inside with the hose to transfer any debris or alga built up . This is totally optional , but it ’s a beneficial clip to clean it .
put in your pelting drum inside a shed , cellar , or service department will help extend its life . If you must leave it outdoors , find a spot where it will be protected from direct sun , twist , snowfall , and rain .
In that case , verify it ’s either closed tight or put in upside down to preclude water or Charles Percy Snow from getting inside .
I keep mine behind some tall shrub under the eves of the house where it ’s completely protect from the elements .
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Rain Barrel Winter Care FAQs
Can you use a rain barrel in the winter?
you’re able to habituate a rain barrel in the winter and year - round if you live somewhere that never gets below freeze . Otherwise you must winterize and in good order store it so it does n’t get destroyed by the freezing cold .
How do I keep my rain barrel from freezing?
The best way to keep your rainfall barrel from freezing is to completely drain it and hive away it over wintertime . lay in it upside down outside , or put it into the garage or a shed where it will be protected from precipitation .
How do you winterize a rain barrel diverter?
The well-off way to winterize a rain barrel diverter is to use either a nag or a switch to lock in it into place so the rainwater will go through the downspout like normal .
Diverters are designed to stay on the sewer twelvemonth - round , so there ’s unremarkably no want to remove it in the fall .
Can you leave a rain barrel out in the winter?
you could depart a rain barrel out in the wintertime as long as you protect it from the ingredient . Just ensure to store it upside down so the C. P. Snow and rainfall ca n’t get at heart to keep damage .
When should you drain a rain barrel?
It ’s good to enfeeble your rain barrel in the fall before it starts to freeze . I recommend doing it before the dark temporary drop below 40 ° F. It ’s sick how fast the water can solidify once it gets below freeze outside , so do n’t put it off for too long .
See , I recount you that winterizing a rain barrel was n’t that strong ! It only acquire me about 15 minutes to empty , detach , and stack away both of mine in the fall . It ’s one of those “ low-toned hanging yield ” type chores that I always find myself doing first . So get it checked off the list !
Did you know that you could found seed outside in the snow and freeze cold , and they will produce in the spring ? If you want to learn how , then grab a copy of myWinter Sowing eBook . It will show you exactly how to start your seeds outdoors in the dead of winter . Download your written matter today !
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What steps do you take to winterise your rainwater drum ?
