- - -  Rain Barrels by PaPa Bear  - - -

What's a Rain Barrel?
A rain barrel is a container that collects rainwater, also known as storm water, from rooftops. PaPa Bear remembers that grandpa bear had a well for his family's water source and a large barrel that set beneath the eve at the corner of his house. The rain barrel served as a source of water for plants and animals. It’s funny how history often repeats itself, because the bear has had a 280 foot well as his sole source of water for the last twenty years and would you believe he has also found himself building and promoting rain barrels as a way of recycling and conserving water.

Why Use a Rain Barrel Today?
Recycling the water off your roof is a great way to get FREE water for a multitude of outside uses and help the environment as well. Storm water runoff from roofs, driveways, sidewalks, and lawns carries chemicals, solvents, salts, pet waste into the storm sewer and eventually into our streams, lakes and rivers. Not only does a rain barrel help the environment by keeping storm water from your roof out of the storm sewer system, it also can help you save money. Today, besides the environmental aspects of water recycling, folks are saving money by using rain barrels to collect water for plants, gardens, lawns, moisture for compost, lawns, pools, washing the car, flowers and window washing. After all, rain water is what plants are used to and it seems to yield better growing results than city water or well water because it's oxygenated, not chlorinated. During a moderate 1/4 inch rain, over 156 gallons of water will run off the surface of a 1000 square foot roof. This is enough water to more than fill almost three 55 gallon barrels; which in summer months can add up to as much as 1,300 gallons of recycled water not to mention a reduced utility bill. To calculate the gallon yield of a roof, multiply the square footage of the section of the roof that a gutter services by 623 and divide by 1000.

Basic Rain Barrel Components
1. The barrel, 55 gallon, plastic is preferred, one piece construction for safety.
2. Screen covered opening at the top which serves as the water intake source and a filter to keep trash out and mosquitoes from breeding.
3. Overflow outlet at the top side of the barrel . A hose is generally attached to aid in channeling water away when the barrel becomes full.
4. Water outlet valve at the bottom side of the barrel.
5. A device that diverts the rain water from the gutter down spout
to the barrel.
 
Where Can I Get a Rain Barrel?
Rain barrels can be purchased from some garden centers or online. The costs varies from $75 to $175 plus shipping, depending on how the barrel is equipped. The rain barrel that is pictured on the page is the basic, low cost model and costs $50 plus shipping. But, if you have the time and are willing to do a little work, you can actually make your own rain barrel for around $50. And, believe it or not, that's exactly what PaPa Bear decided to do. He did such a splendid job, he decided to build more than one and offer them at a recession proof price to those who have the sudden urge to "Go Green". More on this amazing offer at the end of this article.
 
How Many Barrels Do I Need?
PaPa Bear says to start out with just one at first, to get the hang of it. But, if you have a large roof area you may want to add more barrels later and connect them together or hook one to each down spout. To maintain the curb appeal of your property and keep peace with your neighbors, you should probably just connect them to the down spouts on the back of your house.

Rain Barrel Safety Tips
1. NEVER use your collected water for drinking, cooling, or bathing.
2. Make sure, if your barrel has a removable lid, that it is secure at all times so that children and small animals cannot fall in.
3. Make sure, if your barrel does not have adequate overflow capability, that you disconnect the barrel during the rainiest months to avoid constant overflow.
4. Make sure that your barrel’s inflow opening is covered by a screen louver vent or mesh that will prevent mosquitoes from breeding or debris from falling inside.
5. If you do experience a problem with mosquitoes breeding here’s a home remedy. To prevent mosquitoes add 1 tablespoon of olive oil in your barrel or use your collected water within two weeks since the development of a mosquito from an egg to an adults takes roughly 10-14 days.

Genuine PaPa Bear Rain Barrel - ONLY $49.95
55-gallon rain barrel equipped with 3/4 inch brass spigot & 3/4 inch over flow outlet
$24.95 - Shipping Charge, US Only (no charge for local pickup)

Rain Barrel Options . . .
$14.95 - Flexible down spout water diverter (white, green or brown)
$25 - Installation Option (Columbia, SC & surrounding areas)
FREE Local Delivery (Columbia, SC & surrounding areas)
Additional water diverter options (available soon)
$4.95 - Rain Barrel 101, build your own instructions for DiYers
Custom color options to show off your favorite college or pro team (available soon)

Go Green . . . Purchase a PaPa Bear Rain Barrel online via PayPal, TODAY!

To request a local pickup, local delivery or to ask a question, please email PaPaBear@VoiceMagic.com.

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