Rain Barrel Topper

20 years ago

I have 2 sealed rain barrel that I made at a workshop this spring. They are the basic blue barrels- I painted them to blend with house. I'm really liking them!

My concern/issue/question.......

the top of the barrel has a bit of a lip, so when it rains, water collects in there... I feel that this creates a mosquito environment. I'd like to do something to the prevent water collection.

I actually bought 2 containers at Kmart- they are pretty close to the size of the top, the upper rim of the containers are the same as the barrel, but the base is not quite, so there is still room for water to collect.. The containers are like for small ponds or trees or something- about 8" deep, black and basic looking- said could be for tree base, oil changes,etc.. I planted flowers in the containers, but didn't want to drill/ add drainage holes to the containers as then it would drain where I am trying to not have water standing. But then in recent rain downpours, the containers were over watered and difficult to dry back out- I think I've lost all the plants in one, we'll see- I tried replanting in new soil.

My father-in-law said that I may be able to drill small drainage holes in the upper edge of the lip of the barrel to let the water drain out without really damaging the barrel- and making it a nonsealed barrel. But he wasn't 100% sure.

Wondering how others have dealt with this- or do you not worry about it?

Becky

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Comments (5)

brighteyes
20 years ago
Im not sure but I would worry that if you put holes in the barrel, makeing it unsealed, You would actually be inviting more skeeters into the barrel than the lip on top does.

good luck

carey
sdrawkcab
20 years ago
can you drill a hole in the side of the lip? it will let the water drain out (down the side of the barrel) but the main compartment will still be sealed.

or drill a hole and add screen or a "wick" that will allow wter transfer down but block bugs.

thats my 2 pennies.
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puzzlefan
20 years ago
I have six blue barrels for rain that are only covered with window screening. I don't worry about mosquitos as I place the BT briquettes in them each month (1/2 briquette per barrel, every 30 days) We don't have a mosquito problem. There is nothing more beautiful to hear than water running into those barrels especially after 7 weeks of drought!
ilsa
20 years ago
I don't currently have any rain barrels, but once my potting shed/greenhouse is complete, I'll be adding a couple to the 'landscape'. BUT - I have a silly question about rain barrels: do I have to drain them in the winter, or can I leave them in place for snow melt-off?
junegem13
Original Author
20 years ago
I ended up putting the planter of sort on each of the barrels... gave it a nice look.
I noticed that on one of the barrels, there was a hole in the upper rim of the barrel, so I added a hole or three to both barrels so water would not collect on top (or at least as bad).
I opted to have sealed barrels so they would be sealed.

ilsa... this is my first year having the barrels, but from what I've read, I will be disconnecting and draining my barrels. I live near Lake Erie in Ohio and we get COLD weather and (hopefully) lots of snow. From what I've read, it is best to not let the barrels freeze with water in them as over time (maybe YEARS, but still) it can cause the barrel to bow and not be sturdy and very possible to crack. Good luck! and boy will the rest of your landscape LOVE it when you add harvested water from your rain barrels!