If you neglect to protect your rain barrel from frost when temperatures drop, it will be unusable next spring. Because without the necessary measures, the material will burst in the cold. However, with the helpful tips in this guide, you don't have to worry. How to make your rain barrel frost-proof:
How do I make my rain barrel frost-proof?
To make your rain barrel frost-proof, empty it three quarters of the way, close the connection to the rain collector and cover the barrel. Make sure you check regularly and remove any layers of ice that may have formed.
Why does the rain barrel burst open?
Ice has a higher volume than water. Therefore, the contents of your rain barrel expand at temperatures below freezing. Since most rain barrels are made of plastic, the material cannot withstand the pressure. Small cracks quickly appear that make the rain barrel unusable.
Is my rain barrel frost-proof?
Meanwhile, there are also models that do not require any preparation for winter. These are expressly marked as frost-proof. If you are still unsure about this, it is best to contact the manufacturer by phone. Asking has never cost anything. However, caution is advised with models that are lined with foil. If the contents are frozen, stones from below threaten to damage the material. Either make sure that the surface is level when setting up or you take the following measures:
Important measures
- Empty rain barrel
- Closing the connection of the rain collector
- Cover rain barrel
Empty rain barrel
You don't have to empty your rain barrel completely. It is enough if you pour out three quarters of the water. However, regular checks are essential.
Close water collector connection
To prevent water from flowing in, it is important to interrupt the connection to the rain collector. If you have emptied your rain barrel by three quarters as recommended above, it can still happen that new water flows in and freezes in the container. You should therefore not only disconnect the downpipe, but also check regularly whether a new layer of ice has formed. You then have to chop these up.
Cover rain barrel
A new layer of ice can form not only from the water draining from the gutter but also from precipitation. A lid for the rain barrel is therefore recommended. This also protects against breeding mosquitoes in the water reservoir.
