We offer rain barrels made in Iowa, for Iowa homeowners.
Trust the Gutter Experts at HSI:
All LeafGuard® Gutter Installations receive a Discounted Rain Barrel*
All About Rain Barrels
I don’t garden – how else can I use my rain barrel water?
Almost any non-potable application becomes possible with the astonishing cleansing power of rainwater, which requires no additional chemicals due to its role as the ultimate solvent. Whether it’s cleansing tools, pets, floors, walls, eliminating rug stains, or using it as a gentle natural hair rinse, the versatility of rainwater is truly remarkable. Even house plants flourish when nourished with the softness of rainwater. An excellent solution for streak-free window cleaning both indoors and outdoors, rainwater proves its effectiveness without the need for added chemicals. Discover its potential for cleaning vehicles and laundry, all without the worry of leaving unsightly “lime” spots, as rainwater remains untouched by chemical softening processes. The superiority of rainwater extends to maintaining moisture in compost and comes highly recommended for vermiculture enthusiasts. Embrace the cost-effective choice of rainwater and experience its multitude of benefits firsthand!
Do the barrels have a child-resistant top?
Yes! Our lids feature screw-on tops equipped with screened holes designed for water intake. To ensure safety, please keep the lid securely fastened to your rain barrel at all times.
What do I do with the barrel in the winter?
After emptying it, invert the rain barrel in a protected and secure location. These barrels are ideal for storing hoses and soaker hoses. If feasible, bring the rain barrel indoors. However, if that’s not possible, leaving them outdoors will also suffice.
Are these rain barrels coated with a UV protectant?
The exterior of our barrels and rims are coated with UV protection specifically formulated for plastics and vinyl, enhancing both the durability and appearance of your barrel with a pleasing shine. To preserve this UV protection and its accompanying luster, make sure to renew it periodically with products like “Armor All”.
How much water tends to collect in a barrel in a typical season?
The rate of barrel drainage depends on how swiftly you empty each barrel and the size of your collection space. Rainwater collection amounts to about 0.6 gallons per square foot for every inch of rainfall. To calculate your collection area, multiply the length by the width of the space. For example, if you have a 10’x10′ area (100 square feet), a one-inch rainfall yields 0.6 gallons per square foot, totaling 60 gallons – more than enough to fill your 55-gallon barrel. Considering Iowa’s average annual rainfall of 30-35 inches, the potential accumulation is substantial, especially if you’re collecting from one or multiple expansive rooftops!
How much does a full rain barrel weigh?
The barrel itself weighs under twenty pounds, yet each gallon of water it contains adds up to 8.33 pounds. When completely filled, a 55-gallon rain barrel will weigh around 450 pounds. Therefore, when selecting your foundation material, ensure its sturdiness can support this weight. It’s crucial to achieve a level position from all perspectives. This can be easily accomplished using a level on the top of our durable pressure-treated lumber stands or on the barrel’s surface. For a more straightforward approach, you can employ water as a level. In the absence of a level tool, a shallow flat pan of water can be used carefully to assess the level position.
How do I know how much water I need?
By examining the increased household consumption indicated on your water bills during the growing season, you can estimate your outdoor water usage. For instance, consider the fact that a mature potted tomato plant may need as much as a gallon of water daily to thrive and yield effectively. Watering just six tomato plants over a week could total 42 gallons. It’s worth noting that rainwater benefits indoor plants as well, and its utility extends to numerous other purposes. Once someone adopts rainwater harvesting, the enthusiasm often extends to acquiring additional rain barrels, creating rain gardens, and even investing in larger water tanks.
How can I protect my stored water from leaves and mosquitoes?
Always keep the lid securely fastened, and ensure that any overflow outlet is connected to a hose, possibly with a kink protector if required. The intake holes on the lid are properly screened and all openings should be tightly closed. If the water is susceptible to mosquitoes, you might want to explore ecologically friendly mosquito control products available at your local garden supply store, introduce feeder goldfish that agitate the water to eliminate larvae or make use of the stored water promptly.
All of the rain barrels we assemble at Home Solutions of Iowa are made from up-cycled (repurposed) food shipping barrels, originating mainly in Greece and Spain. The barrels have a capacity of 55 gallons and are #2 or #4 plastics. Because these are used barrels there may be scratches, nicks or dock markings on the outside. These do not affect the function of the barrels for harvesting water.
- Rain barrels are from 39" to 40.5" tall and approximately 23" in diameter
- All the lids have 3 2½ inch holes for water intake. Holes are screened using standard fiberglass window screening.
- Spigots in all of our rain barrels are 3/4" quarter turn brass ball valves.
- Each rain barrel has an interior overflow standpipe that attaches to a 12' flex hose.
If this is something you might be interested in for your home or farm in Des Moines or another city in Iowa, you need only to turn to Home Solutions of Iowa. We offer a wide selection of rain barrels made right here in Iowa that can help you optimize the efficiency of your irrigation system and make your home friendlier to the environment.
Rain Barrels Can Help You Optimize the Efficiency of the Irrigation System at Your Home or Farm in Des Moines
For more information on the uses of rainwater in your home, or to inquire more about our rain barrels, contact Home Solutions of Iowa today. We would be delighted to provide you with a free consultation at your home or farm in Des Moines or elsewhere in Iowa so that you can learn more about the benefits of rain barrels.
Our Rain Barrels Have a Variety of Useful Applications
We would be delighted to provide you with a free consultation at your home or farm in Des Moines or elsewhere in Iowa so that you can learn more about the benefits of rain barrels.
If this is something you might be interested in for your home or farm in Des Moines or another city in Iowa, you need only to turn to Home Solutions of Iowa.
We offer a wide selection of rain barrels made right here in Iowa that can help you optimize the efficiency of your irrigation system and make your home friendlier to the environment.
Once you decide on the barrel size, we can help you set up a system that is uniquely tailored to your home, to ensure that you can collect your rainwater as efficiently as possible. For more information on the uses of rainwater in your home, or to inquire more about our rain barrels, contact Home Solutions of Iowa today or check out our showroom.
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“Professional, courteous installation crew and salesman.”
“Home Solutions was excellent, timely, and did a clean and thorough job. They left the project just like it was before it was started.”
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HSI: Your Nationally Recognized Home Improvement Company
Home Solutions of Iowa was selected for the Remodeling 550 list! We were compared to other companies in the category of Replacement/Speciality Contractors. Ranking at #56, nationally for our remodeling work, customer experience, and the types of remodeling jobs completed. This is a huge honor for us as we strive to get closer and closer to the top of the list each year. We are excited to see how we can build and grow as a remodeling company and help you!
We are Local. Licensed. Insured.
Home Solutions of Iowa stands behind the quality of our materials, our labor, and our warranties, and that sets us apart. We have one of the highest referral rates in the industry, and chances are we’ve worked on your neighbors’ homes. Additionally, we are all local and all professional and we are the only exterior remodeling company in Iowa to offer a lifetime workmanship warranty on all the work we perform. In an industry where reputation is everything, we are proud to hold an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and have completed work on over 30,000 Iowa homes.
