Basics of Rain Barrel Setup and Care

It’s easy to capture rain water for outdoor use. Learn the basics of rain barrel setup and care in this Lowe’s video:

Setup:

• Choose a location near an active downspout.
• Full rain barrels can be very heavy, so build a strong base to safely raise the barrel.
• Leave enough room to fit a watering can underneath.
• Detach your downspout straps and remove lower spout.
• Add a flexible hose to bring water to the barrel.
• Place a debris screen to keep out mosquitoes.

Care:

• Clean your barrel yearly to prevent buildup.
• Use water regularly as standing water invites mosquitoes. Add anti-larval tablets if mosquitoes become a problem.

DO NOT use collected water for drinking, cooking or bathing.