A rain barrel catches roof runoff from a downspout and stores it for the garden, and the setup is mostly a matter of connecting the spout to the barrel. The key is an overflow that routes excess water safely away.
The diverter
A diverter taps the downspout and feeds water into the barrel, and it can be removed in winter so the spout flows straight down.
The barrel
The barrel sits on a level, raised base so a watering can fits under the spigot, and the inlet is screened to keep out leaves and mosquitoes.
The overflow
Every barrel needs an overflow at the top that connects to a hose or the original downspout outlet, so a full barrel does not dump at the foundation.
The use
Rainwater is great for plants, and it should be used within a week or two so it does not stagnate. hard water and humid conditions are common, and coastal salt air accelerates corrosion on fittings In St. Petersburg, it can cover most of the summer watering.
The winter
The barrel is drained and stored or flipped before a freeze, because ice expands and cracks it.
The call
Set up the barrel so it never floods the foundation. Call 888-217-3585 and St. Petersburg Home Plumbing Co will match you with a St. Petersburg pro.
Plumbing in St. Petersburg: what to know
In St. Petersburg, hard water and humid conditions are common, and coastal salt air accelerates corrosion on fittings. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Pinellas County — from Gulfport, Kenneth City and South Pasadena to ZIP codes like 33701, 33705, 33712 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in St. Petersburg?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and St. Petersburg Home Plumbing Co will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in St. Petersburg.