Do Rain Barrels Work Without Gutters

Many householders set up rain barrels to catch the water as it drips from the roof reducing runoff and erosion while preserving water for garden.

Do rain barrels work without gutters.

Once connected turn on the spigot or tap and you re good to go. You should be able to find a style of rain barrel that fits in with your overall landscaping plan. I didn t want the hassle of installing gutters just to have a rain barrel and i also didn t want to spend a lot. I was wondering if a rainbarrel would really catch enough rain if you didn t use gutters.

Only problem is most of the diy rain barrel tutorials rely on gutters to channel rainwater and my shed is gutterless. Then place metal and rubber washers and waterproof sealant on both the inside and outside of the barrel. Since roof slopes will vary from home to home so will the trajectory of the water that streams from a roof through a crevice or crease during a storm. Rain chain downspouts are an ornamental beautiful addition to gutter systems.

When the rain travels down the chains and into the cups or bells that are spread across it then you get a pleasing sound that s a lot like a wind chime which makes them appeal to many people. Heavy rains can also erode your home s foundation. Actually there are many homeowners who enjoy the benefits of rain barrels even though their home does not have gutters. Neither roof nor gutters are needed and after it rains the water can be used for whatever gardening purpose you want.

So what to do. Insert a hose bibb or spigot in the drain hole. With the barrel on its side use a power drill with a 1 inch drill bit to drill a hole about 5 inches above the base of the barrel for the drain. Some barrels are even connected to underground pipes that automatically channel the water in certain areas.

If your barrel has a removable top simply take it off. A rain barrel seemed like the perfect solution as we have a shed in the back near the garden. Most sloping roofs can accommodate a rain chain even without a gutter. Drill an additional hole about 3 inches below the top of the barrel for the overflow.

Aesthetically pleasing as a rain chain might be however there are some things you should know about them before you. Any rain will be collected or harvested for future use. The barrel would have to be open top and you d have to put it in a place where the downpour was greatest off the roof.