A rain barrel is an important part of sustainable garden care. Not only do you save costs by using the collected rainwater to water flowers or for household purposes, but you also protect the environment at the same time. It's only annoying if you can't take full advantage of the precipitation because your rain barrel overflows if there's too much rain. You can find out what options exist to prevent this loss on this page.
How can a rain barrel be prevented from overflowing?
To prevent a rain barrel from overflowing, you should adjust the volume, place the rain barrel in a protected place, install an overflow protection (€33.00 on Amazon) or connect two rain barrels together.
Adjust the volume
Before you buy, you should consider what volume of the rain barrel is appropriate for your consumption. In principle, the more lawn you have, the larger your rain barrel should be. Two factors play a role in the exact calculation:
- The amount of rain flowing from the roof
- Your water needs
The ratio of these components determines the necessary capacity of your rain barrel.
Calculate the amount of rainwater collected
According to statistics, a 25 square meter roof provides 1000 liters of water annually. Of course, neither you nor experts can determine the exact weight. After all, the precipitation rate can never be predicted precisely. If you follow this guideline, you are on the safe side. In addition, however, there is evaporation through solar radiation. It is therefore advisable to place the rain barrel in a protected place. You should also make sure you have a lid when purchasing.
Calculate your own water needs
To determine your water needs, focus on the following components:
- The climatic conditions where you live
- The size of your garden
- The individual water needs of your plants
To give another statistically determined value, there are around 60 liters per square meter per year. It's best to read your actual water consumption from your water meter.
Prevent overflow
In addition, there are two other ways to prevent overflow:
- Install an overflow protection (€33.00 on Amazon)
- Connecting two rain barrels together
You can access the instructions by clicking on the corresponding links.
