Do Rain Barrels Work Without Gutters

Some barrels are even connected to underground pipes that automatically channel the water in certain areas.

Do rain barrels work without gutters.

Only problem is most of the diy rain barrel tutorials rely on gutters to channel rainwater and my shed is gutterless. 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. If your barrel has a removable top simply take it off. Insert a hose bibb or spigot in the drain hole.

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. 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. A rain barrel seemed like the perfect solution as we have a shed in the back near the garden. Rain chain downspouts are an ornamental beautiful addition to gutter systems.

Aesthetically pleasing as a rain chain might be however there are some things you should know about them before you. 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. 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. A rain barrel is easy to install and simply needs to be hooked up to your gutter using one of a few methods all depending on the type of rain barrel you choose to purchase.

So what to do. Drill an additional hole about 3 inches below the top of the barrel for the overflow. Neither roof nor gutters are needed and after it rains the water can be used for whatever gardening purpose you want. 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.

Any rain will be collected or harvested for future use. Heavy rains can also erode your home s foundation. Rain barrels are a great source of water for lawns gardens and landscape plants. I was wondering if a rainbarrel would really catch enough rain if you didn t use gutters.

Actually there are many homeowners who enjoy the benefits of rain barrels even though their home does not have gutters. You should be able to find a style of rain barrel that fits in with your overall landscaping plan. Most sloping roofs can accommodate a rain chain even without a gutter.