Jack's Rain Barrel

Jack's Rain Barrels are made in Vermont from recycled 45 to 55 gallon food-grade plastic containers. The exact appearance (color, shape, etc.) vary from batch to batch. Common colors are terra cotta, black, and blue.

A removable screen in a screw lid allows you to insert a down spout, or you can simply place the barrel in a spot where your roof sheds rain water. One inch of rain on a 10' by 10' section of roof will fill the barrel.

Approximate dimensions are 23 inches wide by 36 inches high. Comes with an overflow hose. A garden hose can easily be attached to the bottom faucet.

Rain Barrel includes:

• Food-grade container with screw-top lid
• Removable metal screen in lid
• Bottom faucet with threaded connection for attaching your garden hose
• Overflow port with elbow and flexible plastic hose to divert overflow

The rain barrel does NOT include a base (we recommend cinder blocks for strength and stability), garden hose, or a downspout. If you have any areas of your roof that shed water naturally (such as a valley where two sections of roof come together), you may be able to position your rain barrel to collect water without needing a downspout.

Common Questions and Answers

How much water can I collect in a rain barrel?

Each barrel holds about 50 gallons of water. One inch of rain falling on a ten by ten section of roof will fill up your barrel.

Can I connect multiple barrels together?

Yes, you can! The best way is to connect barrels by their overflow ports. Each barrel comes with an "elbow" joint that screws into the overflow port. For "downstream" barrels, simply replace the "elblow" joint with a "tee" connector then connect the overflow ports together. The overflow from your first barrel will go through its elbow joint to the tee connector in the next barrel. Once that barrel fills up, too, its overflow will continue through the tee.

What can I use rain water for?

The best use for rain water is to water your yard or garden or compost pile. (It's amazing how fast you can make compost in the summer if you keep it moist!) Most municipalities recommend against drinking water from a rain barrel due to the risk of contamination from bird feces and other disease vectors. But untreated water (even if it contains bird poop!) is actually better for your garden than treated tap water. Tap water often contains a dilute bleach solution that is toxic to bacteria, and may also contain dissolved salts that may accumulate over time in soil.

What about mosquitoes?

The lid and screen diminish the risk of breeding mosquitoes, but you may also want to add mosquito dunks containing Bt-israelensis (Bt-i), a highly specific biological pesticide that kills mosquito larvae before they mature into biting adults.

Do I need to drain the barrel in winter?

Yes, it is a good idea to drain your barrel in late fall if you live in a freezing climate. Otherwise, you risk cracking your barrel as water expands into ice.

How much pressure comes out of the barrel?

Depends on how high you put it! Gravity is the only force acting on the water. If you put the barrel higher than where you need the water, the water will flow as far as you need. (Remember, water always flows downhill!) We recommend putting the barrel on sturdy base (it will weigh about 20 pounds empty and 400 pounds when full) and high enough that you can fill a watering can from the bottom faucet.