It is important to winterize your rain barrel in the winter months when your garden is dormant and the weather is colder. Freezing temperatures can damage your rain barrel ahead of spring planting. By draining, disconnecting, and storing your rain barrel during the winter months, you can help increase its longevity by avoiding unnecessary wear and tear.
Protect your rain barrel this winter season by following these three easy steps:
Step 1: Drain it. Completely drain harvested rainwater from your rain barrel.
Tip: After your rain barrel is completely drained, consider cleaning interior and exterior surfaces. Be sure to remove sediment and debris from inside the rain barrel and use a biodegradable cleaning solution to scrub surfaces (We recommend Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner). You’ll thank yourself for cleaning your rain barrel now come springtime.
Step 2: Disconnect it. Disconnect your rain barrel from the downspout it’s connected to.
Tip: If your rain barrel is assembled with a RainRecycle Rain Barrel Kit, you can unscrew the Flexi-Fit-Diverter piece from your downspout and flip it upside down to stop collecting water. Once the diverter is flipped upside down, water will continue to flow down your downspout as it normally would.
You can also order a RainRecycle Downspout Cover from the Rain Barrel Depot to cover the mouth of the diverter.
Step 3: Store it. Store your rain barrel and its components in a dry location such as a garage, shed, or basement. Rain barrels can be stored outdoors, just be sure it is stored in a dry place or in a manner in which it does not collect water.
Tip: If you need to store your rain barrel outdoors, store it upside down to prevent any rainwater and snowmelt from getting inside it.
By following these three easy steps, your rain barrel will be protected during the winter and ready for rainwater harvesting come the spring!