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This unit has a front-side overflow to prevent flooding around a home's foundation, as well as a shut-off valve for attaching a hose. If you intend to fill watering cans or jugs, you’ll probably need to put the barrel on a stand. Earning our top spot, this rugged 50-gallon rain barrel offers a host of convenient features to effectively collect rainwater for many seasons.

Accessories to treat, protect and preserve your emergency supply of water are conveniently included in this bundle. If the barrel gets too full, it will redirect the excess water into the downspout, and prevent it from pooling around your home’s foundation. We did find some reports of leaks and cracks, with most of the cracks occurring after a hard freeze. And although this product is covered by a one-year warranty against defects, water damage from freezing temperatures is not covered. This unit is equipped with a debris screen, but some users say the mesh isn’t fine enough to keep out mosquitoes. The barrel has a large opening at the top, which makes for easier installation.
water storage barrel home depot
Although they vary in style and features, most rain barrels allow you to collect rainwater from your roof and store it for future use. The water can later be used to water your garden, lawn, or even wash your car. With a 90-gallon capacity, this rain barrel from Good Ideas is one of the largest options on the market. Constructed from high-quality polyethylene, this unit is built to last–even in extremely cold weather. To protect your foundation from flooding, a routed channel directs overflow water to the front of the barrel.
Some lids are lockable, while others have bars across the top or child-lock screws to keep the lid secure. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. Mary been a Master Gardener for 30+ years and a commercial and residential gardener for 50+ years. Use our water calculator to quickly see just how much water your family will need in an emergency situation.
Winston Porter Ahriyah 50 Gallon Rain Barrel
The 55-Gallon Water Storage Barrel and accessories provide a convenient and reliable source of treated water for emergencies. The strategic coloring of the drum is designed to block bacteria-growing UV rays ensuring the safe storage of water outside the home, school, or office. When treated with Water Preserver® Concentrate, water is guaranteed to store safely outdoors for up to 5-years. Use the included bung wrench and siphon pump to easily access your water supply. A rain barrel made from wood is a more sustainable option, and many users appreciate the traditional aesthetic. However, wood barrels are much pricier and are more prone to rotting, leaking, and insect damage than those made of plastic.
This 50-gallon rain barrel from FCMP Outdoor offers an array of convenient features, including a garden hose for easy dispensing. Plus, it has a hanging hose clip to keep it neat and secure when not in use. To increase rainwater storage capacity, spigots on the side of the barrel allow you to connect multiple rain barrels .
Special features
This barrel also features two overflow spigots on either side, allowing you to connect additional containers with the included diverter kit. Most rain barrels have a threaded spigot that can be attached to a garden hose. To ensure proper water flow, the hose should be connected below the water level of the rain barrel. Some models come with an extension hose or garden hose for added convenience. This unit features a planter at the top, which is equally functional and decorative. Like most rain barrels with built-in planters, however, the plants can flood easily.
An overflow connection on the back directs excess water away from your foundation. This barrel is made of polyethylene, which is BPA-free and UV-resistant, but it’s designed to look like a traditional rain barrel. If you have limited outdoor space, this 50-gallon rain barrel from Vigli is a great option. It features a collapsible design, making it easy to fold up and store when it’s not in use.
We also love that it is available in five color options–black, green, khaki, oak and terracotta–so you can get just the right look for your outdoor space. Equipped with two spigots, it can easily be hooked up to a hose or another barrel. The front spigot is an ideal height and can be used to fill watering cans and jugs. The side spigot is much lower to the ground and better suited for a hose hookup. A routed channel diverts excess water to the front spigot, so you don’t have to worry about flooding your foundation. The spigot is pretty low to the ground, so you may need to put the barrel on a stand to use it with a watering can.

Most rain barrels require some minor assembly and need to be connected to a downspout. To prevent it from tipping over and causing injury, a rain barrel should always be installed on a level surface. Rain barrels that come with a stand or have a flat back design to sit up against a wall are less likely to tip over. “A 55-gallon barrel will be suitable for the average household,” says Allison Vallin Kostovick, an organic gardener based in Maine. The CDC recommends that collected rainwater not be used for drinking, cooking, or washing fruits and vegetables. Designed to treat bulk water storage in campers, motor homes, RVs, trailers, boats, 55-gallon water storage barrels, and home/emergency water storage.
It’s significantly more expensive than standard 50-gallon rain barrels, but its extra-large capacity and stylish design is worth the splurge. A rain barrel is essentially a large container with a water intake screen at the top and a valve to release the water at the bottom. You can use the collected rainwater for various purposes including watering your lawn and garden or washing your car. This 50-gallon rain barrel from Winston Porter has a curved silhouette and woven design. Good looks aside, it is extremely durable and comes with plenty of convenient features.
Dual overflow valves prevent water from flooding your outside wall if the barrel fills up. Another welcome feature is an aluminum screen that helps keep debris and insects out of your collected rainwater. This rain barrel only comes in brown, which is neutral enough to work in any outdoor space, but we would have appreciated a few more color options. On days with heavy rainfall, Kostovick recommends setting up an overflow hose to direct excess water away from the foundation of your home.