Winterizing rain barrels

Jokarva · #1 12/26/12, 03:42 PM

Those of you who have rain barrels, do you do anything beyond emptying them to get them thru the winter intact? And do you empty them totally, or is 8-10 inches of water left in the bottom ok?

My spigot is about a foot up and the only way to drain them dry would be to unscrew the tops and tip them over - and it's way too cold for me to be happy about having to do that.

dkhern · #2 12/26/12, 05:29 PM

caught runoff as a kid sorry but every bbl had a round bottom they were metal plastic may work easier and pop back into shape havent tried

solidwoods · #3 12/26/12, 08:08 PM

There is a rubber insert you can put in the bottom or most any part of a barrel.
These allow you to plumb it, or to drain it, or link multi barrels together even though only one barrel has the water in-feed, or tap it for water output, they are called uniseal.
http://www.aquaponiclynx.com/

Another thing one can do to extend the life of plastic anything is put a coat of house paint on the outside of it. That keeps the UV rays from the Sun off of it. UV kills plastics that aren't UV rated (and the Grandkids can paint flowers on the barrels)
jim

willowworker · #4 12/26/12, 08:10 PM

I tip mine over and empty them, then store them upside down. Has always worked for me.

solidwoods...thanks for the tips.

blooba · #5 12/26/12, 08:32 PM

I use the blue plastic barrels and just leave them (full of water)

It probably does decrease the lifespans of them but here in MD we don't get many deep freezes but will freeze solid sometimes with no ill effects.

am1too · #6 12/26/12, 10:05 PM

What if one painted the barrels black? It would draw heat. Besides even my 5 gallon buckets (animal water) do not freeze solid at 9 degrees over night and thaw in the day time. Yes I do take ice out.

If they are on the ground slip a jacket on them and fill the void with sawdust.

rambler · #7 12/26/12, 10:47 PM

It's gotten up to 9 degrees a couple times in the past week 'here'.

You folks have it so easy in the warmer areas!

I'd sure drain them. But then, I live here.....

--->Paul

pheasantplucker · #8 12/27/12, 04:21 AM

I drain them, leave the spigot open, turn the diverter in the downspout so no more water goes into them. If you have that much water still left in yours because the spigot is so high, you could probably use a siphon to remove it.

nehimama · #9 12/27/12, 08:11 AM

This works for me; Each of my rain barrels has a stock tank de-icer in it. I use the barrels throughout the winter to water the chickens.

Joe_Dirt · #10 12/27/12, 09:44 AM

https://www.xtremebrewing.com/store/...to-siphon.html

This is what I use. It's technically a wine syphon, but works like a charm for the last few inches of water. A kerosene syphon would be cheaper, but the wine syphon will pump uphill fairly easily.

Of course, you'll have to be able to get the entire lid off the barrell to use it...

Jokarva · #11 12/27/12, 03:22 PM

Thanks for the info guys, the barrels are draining as I type and I'm going to go ahead and turn them upside down....I just don't trust them not to crack.

lordoftheweeds · #12 12/27/12, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willowworker

I tip mine over and empty them, then store them upside down. Has always worked for me.

solidwoods...thanks for the tips.

That's what we do too, never had a problem

GoldenCityMuse · #13 01/04/13, 10:18 AM

So I suppose one should plan ahead to enable complete draining of water barrels when installing.

Seems like if you had a hose going from the faucett inside the bbl that went to the bottom inside, it would siphon up all but about an inch or less of the water.

wy_white_wolf · #14 01/04/13, 03:00 PM

I filled the bottom of mine with gravel up to the spigot. The bottom may freeze but haven't broke one yet. The wieght also keeps the wind from blowing them away.

WWW