Frost-proof rain barrel: These materials are suitable for sub-zero temperatures

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Rain barrels made of plastic, wood or metal: Which material is frost-proof?

A rain barrel in the garden

When temperatures drop, the water in the rain barrel freezes

© patty_c / Getty Images

When temperatures drop below zero, the water in the rain barrels freezes and expands. To prevent small cracks from forming in the material, the storage tank is winterized and emptied. But is that really necessary?

Many manufacturers advertise that their rain barrels are frost-proof. What many people don’t know, however, is that this information only applies to the material, which is not affected by sub-zero temperatures. Nevertheless, there is no guarantee that the tank will survive a long, cold winter unscathed if it is full to the brim. The fact is that water can develop incredible power when it freezes and expands. The question arises as to which material is better suited for rain barrels: plastic, wood or metal? And when does it make sense to empty the tank completely? Here is an attempt at an explanation.

How frost-proof are plastic rain barrels?

Rain barrels are usually made of plastic because the material is robust and durable. But is it also frost-proof, as many manufacturers claim? The answer is: yes and no. It is not absolutely necessary to completely empty the tank before the onset of winter – but if it is 100 percent full, even plastic can be damaged if the water freezes completely. This makes it all the more important to leave the rain barrels no more than two-thirds full over the winter. In addition, there are also differences in the material: high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) are among the best known. HDPE is more robust and therefore more expensive, but can withstand lower temperatures. PP, on the other hand, is cheaper, but can be damaged even at slightly below-zero temperatures.

Our conclusion: Rain barrels made of HDPE are frost-proof and can easily withstand sub-zero temperatures, provided they are only filled to a maximum of 75 percent. Water tanks made of polypropylene should be completely emptied and ideally overwintered indoors (depending on how cold it is outside).

Are metal and wooden rain barrels suitable?

metal can also cope with sub-zero temperatures without any problems. However, rain barrels made from this robust material are not automatically frost-proof. The welds in particular cannot withstand the pressure if the water in the tank expands significantly. For this reason, it is recommended to Metal rain barrels to be completely emptied before the onset of winter.

Wood is also frost-proof, as the material can expand when the water freezes. But unlike barrels made of plastic or metal, the storage tank is only watertight as long as it is filled with water. If you empty the rain barrel before winter, the wood dries out and contracts – as a result, small gaps appear in the material. If the barrel is filled with rainwater again in spring, the wood would expand again and close any gaps. However, it will take a while until the storage tank is watertight. The question here is whether it is better to fill the barrel or empty it over the winter? There is no right or wrong, but the following options are recommended: If the winter in your region is rather wet and cold, the Wooden barrel (filled) should be left outside. During dry, cold periods, however, it is better to empty the barrel, as it can leak even when full.

How to empty a rain barrel before winter

Depending on the size of a rain barrel, it is tipped over by hand (or with the help of a second person) and thus emptied – provided that the water can drain away easily and does not flood the flowerbed or the terrace. If the barrel is too heavy but has a drain opening or a faucet, you can connect a hose and use it to pour or divert the contents. Alternatively, you can use a Water pumpthat you put into the rain barrel to pump out the water.

Or you can do it the old school way and use gravity: Take a hose, fill it with water so that there is no air left in it, and place the beginning on the bottom of the rain barrel. The other end is placed where the water can flow out unhindered. After that, it is advisable to clean the barrel. To clean a rain barrel, you should use a brush or – if you have one – a high-pressure cleaner. Depending on how much dirt and algae are stuck to the inner walls, you can use a special Tank cleaner This has the advantage that when you refill the rain barrel, the water is clean and clear.

Two more tips at the end: With a Ice preventer or a piece of Styrofoam you can prevent a layer of ice from forming on the water surface. To protect the rain barrel from ground frost, however, it is recommended to place the barrel on a Styrofoam board to ask.

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