CARE OF YOUR NEW RAIN BARREL
Proper care of your rain barrel will help preserve it for a lifetime. Whose lifetime? How long is a lifetime?---How old are log cabins that are still standing? No one can say for certain, but these barrels are made from solid American and French Oak and can literally last decades with a bit of care.
You will want to set your rain barrel on a platform or stand to make the spigot easier to access and to get a sprinkling can underneath it. This also helps prevent moisture from accumulating and preventing bacteria from rotting the bottom of your rain barrel.
You will want to set your rain barrel on a platform or stand to make the spigot easier to access and to get a sprinkling can underneath it. This also helps prevent moisture from accumulating and preventing bacteria from rotting the bottom of your rain barrel.
Maintaining your oak rain barrel is easy. During the spring/summer/early fall just periodically check to make sure debris hasn’t built up in the gutter where the downspout connects. (You would probably do this anyway if you have pine trees, cedar, spruce, or leaves that tend to plug your downspout). If you do have debris that tends to clog your downspouts, we suggest you put a screen in the gutter at the site of the downspout to keep needles and/or leaves from going down into the drain and plugging the filter in the barrel.
Clean the barrel's screen filter periodically. Leaves and other debris from the roof may collect on the screen and block water from entering the barrel.
A small (cap-full) of bleach or a little dish soap can help to keep bugs who have managed to get through the filter, from calling your barrel home.
If you have a hose connected to the overflow fittings, periodically check that the overflow hose is properly attached and is directing excess water away from the house foundation.
If you treat your roof for pests, unhook your rain barrel for two weeks to keep contamination out of your barrel.
WINTER CARE SUGGESTIONS: These quality-built wine barrels were not intended for outdoor exposure and have been sheltered from harsh weather in the wineries of California. Although they are built to last a lifetime, at the end of the season it is recommended that you cover your rain barrel to protect the beautiful wood from the elements of our drying winter winds and weather, regardless if you have had it water or weather sealed. This also has been shown to retain moisture and humidity, helping to get your barrel off to a great start in the spring with no need to wait for those staves to swell.
To prepare for the winter months, drain the barrel of as much water as possible so it doesn't freeze and expand, and be sure to leave the spigot open. Disconnect the downspout from the intake adapter to prevent winter thaws from draining into your rain barrel during the winter. Cover all openings to keep as much moisture inside as possible to prevent the barrel from drying out due to the dry winter air. Plastic packing tape will work for this purpose. Then, just cover your barrel with plastic or a tarp to help protect it from the harsher winter elements.
SPRINGTIME: The first time the barrel is filled in the spring, water may leak somewhat between the staves. After keeping water in the barrel for a few days, the wood will expand and become water tight again. Chances are, if you have wrapped that tarp tightly around it, you won't have any leakage at all in the spring.
AFTER AN EXTENDED DRY SPELL: In the event the rungs slip down or fall off, it's just a simple task to shimmy them back into place before you fill the barrel with water and then let the wood expand during this initial filling. Have faith--it may take several days, but make sure you have water in the barrel and the wood will expand and become water tight again.
HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR FINISH TO APPEAR? That is a personal choice and one that you may wish to make to enhance the decor of your home's exterior.
Which ever choice you make, you will have a quality accent to your landscape.
Now sit back with peace of mind, knowing that you are doing your part in saving energy, promoting sustainability and helping reuse-renew-recycle. At the same time, you are helping yourself save money while utilizing nature's gift in growing healthy, vibrant plants.
...because every drop helps.
Clean the barrel's screen filter periodically. Leaves and other debris from the roof may collect on the screen and block water from entering the barrel.
A small (cap-full) of bleach or a little dish soap can help to keep bugs who have managed to get through the filter, from calling your barrel home.
If you have a hose connected to the overflow fittings, periodically check that the overflow hose is properly attached and is directing excess water away from the house foundation.
If you treat your roof for pests, unhook your rain barrel for two weeks to keep contamination out of your barrel.
WINTER CARE SUGGESTIONS: These quality-built wine barrels were not intended for outdoor exposure and have been sheltered from harsh weather in the wineries of California. Although they are built to last a lifetime, at the end of the season it is recommended that you cover your rain barrel to protect the beautiful wood from the elements of our drying winter winds and weather, regardless if you have had it water or weather sealed. This also has been shown to retain moisture and humidity, helping to get your barrel off to a great start in the spring with no need to wait for those staves to swell.
To prepare for the winter months, drain the barrel of as much water as possible so it doesn't freeze and expand, and be sure to leave the spigot open. Disconnect the downspout from the intake adapter to prevent winter thaws from draining into your rain barrel during the winter. Cover all openings to keep as much moisture inside as possible to prevent the barrel from drying out due to the dry winter air. Plastic packing tape will work for this purpose. Then, just cover your barrel with plastic or a tarp to help protect it from the harsher winter elements.
SPRINGTIME: The first time the barrel is filled in the spring, water may leak somewhat between the staves. After keeping water in the barrel for a few days, the wood will expand and become water tight again. Chances are, if you have wrapped that tarp tightly around it, you won't have any leakage at all in the spring.
AFTER AN EXTENDED DRY SPELL: In the event the rungs slip down or fall off, it's just a simple task to shimmy them back into place before you fill the barrel with water and then let the wood expand during this initial filling. Have faith--it may take several days, but make sure you have water in the barrel and the wood will expand and become water tight again.
HOW DO YOU WANT YOUR FINISH TO APPEAR? That is a personal choice and one that you may wish to make to enhance the decor of your home's exterior.
- If you wish to let your rain barrel weather and let it gray naturally, you can let it age on its own, for that "old world" look.
- If you wish to preserve the rich color of the barrel as it currently is, we recommend that a water and weather sealer product be applied to bring out the beautiful white oak grain of the barrel.
- Because these are constructed of quality solid white oak, you can also opt to apply one of a variety of wood finish stains available to suit your taste or match the exterior of your home.
Which ever choice you make, you will have a quality accent to your landscape.
Now sit back with peace of mind, knowing that you are doing your part in saving energy, promoting sustainability and helping reuse-renew-recycle. At the same time, you are helping yourself save money while utilizing nature's gift in growing healthy, vibrant plants.
...because every drop helps.
Questions? Call Jeannie @715-835-4080 or email us at greenplanetrainbarrels@gmail.com
