What is a rain barrel?A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from your roof to use for things like watering your garden or filling balloons to throw at your neighbor's cat. Water is diverted from your roof downspout into a rain barrel for later use.
Why use a rain barrel?1. To protect your plants from the cold, chlorinated water from the tap system, which can shock plants and slow their growth.2. To be cooler than any of your neighbors.3. To reduce water pollution by storm water runoff, which can contain sediment, oil, grease, and bacteria.4. Uh...did you notice the drought?5. Save money by reducing both water use and the significantly more expensive sewage treatment fees.How much rain water can I expect to capture?One-half inch of rain on a 300-square foot (10'x3') section of roof will easily fill a 55 gallon rain barrel. If you'd rather do the math yourself, here's to formula:
G = 0.416 x R x AG = gallons of rainwater collected
0.416 = conversion factor between cubic feet and gallons
R = amount of rainfall in inches
A = surface area of roof draining to rain barrel (remember: length x width = square feet)
What about mosquitoes?
Our rain barrels have no access points for bugs or critters. But if you're really paranoid, you can safely (i.e., organically) and effectively prevent mosquitoes with dunks. You can purchase a set of 6 dunks (which should cover one mosquito season) for $12 online via this web address: (
http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/16-0013).
Is there any reason I shouldn't have a rain barrel?
If your roof consists of treated cedar shakes or materials containing asbestos and/or your gutter system has lead solder or lead-based paint, you should not get a rain barrel. You should get a new roof and gutter system first, then get a new rain barrel.
What do I need to get started?1. At least one 55 gallon rain barrel (FYI - you can buy a rain barrel for each downspout and/or link multiple barrels together under a single downspout)
2. A diverter to route rain from your downspout to your rain barrel
3. Delivery and installation of #1 and #2
What is it going to cost?
1.
Our RainBank rain barrels are available for $100 each (which includes six feet of tubing to direct any overflow and...wait, for it...
FREE DELIVERY anywhere in Birmingham). Delivery outside of Birmingham (e.g., Calera, Alabaster) is also available, but for a small fee.
2. There is a
20% discount for each additional barrel purchased.
3. Installation (which includes a diverter) is available for an additional $40 per barrel.
What do your barrels look like?We have one type of barrel - the awesome type. Here's some pics...
Pic 1: Fancy logo shot
Pic 2: Faucet and overflow valve (FYI - up to 8' of flexible tubing provided with each drum - to direct overflow)
Pic 3: barrel top with mesh screen and downspout diverter
Pic 4: night shot - shhh, rain barrel is sleeping.
Why don't you paint your barrels?We started making rain barrels with the hope of creating a small, positive impact on the environment in Birmingham. Although painted barrels do look a bit nicer, that "prettiness" come with a price. The primers and paints required to fancify your rain barrel are among some of the most toxic available - and the impact of their use quickly offsets any environmental benefit of harvesting the rain.
If you just can't stand the color of your rain barrel, we can recommend a professional service in Birmingham that will paint them for you for about $75 per barrel . Yes, that is expensive, but it sure beats a lung full of
VOCs.
What else do I need to know?
Each barrel comes with a one-page user's guide covering care and maintenance. You can access the user guide
here.
2 Green Olives is relocating to Jacksonville, FL - which unfortunately means no more rain barrel sales in Birmingham.
Hey, Neighbors! For the month of August (2007), any resident of Crestwood North or South can buy one of our RainBank rain barrels for $75 (FYI - that's 25% off). Price includes delivery. Barrels available for delivery starting Monday, August 13th. Contact Jason at 307-8813 or jason@2greenolives.com to reserve yours.
What is a rain barrel?
Pic 1: Fancy logo shot
Pic 2: Faucet and overflow valve (FYI - up to 8' of flexible tubing provided with each drum - to direct overflow)
Pic 3: barrel top with mesh screen and downspout diverter
Pic 4: night shot - shhh, rain barrel is sleeping.
