The interest in utilizing rain barrels on the home is rising as opportunities for sustainability become easier to implement. Some municipalities have even begun to require them in the permit process when impervious surfaces are being modified with new construction.
Rain barrels are intended to channel rain or melted snow into a barrel connected to the downspouts on the home or garage. Once collected, this water can later be used to water plants, grass, and even wash your cars.
While cost efficient, there are a few factors to take into consideration prior to installing a sizable (50–100 gallon) rain barrel to the bottom of your newly installed garage and/or home downspouts.
Gutters And Downspouts
Seldom when building a new garage do homeowners think of having gutters and downspouts installed on their new structure. While this may seem unnecessary, gutters and downspouts are crucial to the longevity of your new structure, just as they are to the home.
Is A Rain Barrel A Good Fit?
How much water do our roofs and gutters divert every rainfall?
A typical storm, on an average size roof can produce over 1,000 gallons of water for your home gutters and downspouts to divert. Spread over four corners, a barrel can expect 200 gallons of water, and remember the typical barrel is 50-100 gallons.
Where you live can tell you a lot as to whether or not a rain barrel would be truly useful. Homes that experience a great deal of rain are most likely going to need more than one rain barrel to avoid overflow, or the need to constantly drain the barrel. If you find yourself draining the barrels often, chances are good your plants are receiving ample watering from the rain as well.
Most garages are much smaller with less square footage than a home, therefore, the amount of rain collected will be less. One 50-100-gallon barrel would typically be enough to manage the amount of rainfall from the garage roof.
If you are considering installing a rain barrel to your new garage, it is important to let your builder know prior to the installation of the gutters and downspouts. Unlike the traditional installation, these downspouts will have to be adjusted to the height of the rain barrels for them to be efficiently utilized.
Where does that water go from the rain barrels should they overflow?
While the garage roof will most likely not produce that much water, it is important to be diligent and aware of the amount of water the barrels are collecting to prevent that overflow from flooding your property.
Located along the home and garage foundation at the end of the downspouts, standing water because of overflowing barrels can risk the integrity of the foundation and should be displaced as quickly as possible.
Should curb appeal be taking into consideration?
When selecting your rain barrels, yes, take your curb appeal into consideration. For example, having the barrels installed along the back wall of your new garage keeps them out of sight. Otherwise, it is encouraged that they match one another as well as the exterior of the home.
The aesthetics of the barrels are important; however, it is important that they be dark in color, or opaque- light or translucent barrels allow for more sunlight, therefore creating an ideal environment for algae to grow, if not drained or moved regularly. It is also important for the barrels to always have proper lids, as an exposed static water source can be a place for mosquitoes to lay eggs. Some associations ban them altogether, so do your research prior to investing in the barrels.
Like every other detail made regarding your new construction, it is always helpful to discuss your ideas with your builder. Our goal is to help create a structure that will meet your needs for years to come.
For more information, or for a FREE consultation, contact Heartland Garage Builders at HeartlandGarageBuilders.com or 224-326-2698.