Frequently Asked Questions

My roof is pretty small. Is it worth it for me use a RainReserve Diverter Kit?
Generally speaking, yes. One inch of rain on a 1000-square-foot roof will generate about 600 gallons of runoff. To calculate the amount of water that will run off your roof during an average rainfall, multiply the square footage of your roof by 600, then divide by 1000. Most barrels are 55 gallons, and they fill surprisingly quickly in a decent rain.

Why are rain barrels not included as a part of the RainReserve Diverter Kit?
RainReserve is committed to sustainability—not only through the collection of rain water for household and industrial use, but also through utilizing sustainable materials in production and eliminating excess packaging needed for shipping. The types of containers that can be reused as a rain barrel are readily available in your area from a number of sources, thus eliminating waste and cutting the cost for the end user.

Are there ways I can disguise my barrel?
In order to ensure your barrel does not affect the aesthetic of your home's exterior, we recommend placing chicken wire around the barrel and training one of many native vining plant to grow up the wire. Another option is to build an aesthetically pleasing enclosure for the barrel. Finally you can place the barrel among bushes/shrubs to hide it from view. The possibilities are endless.

Can I drink the water from my rain barrel?
While the rain water you collect in your barrel may potentially be suitable for livestock drinking water, it is not intended for human consumption. However, we are in the process of developing advanced filtration systems to further purify the water.

When should I disconnect my rain barrel in the fall and reconnect it in the spring?
You should disconnect your rain barrel before the first hard freeze. If you empty all water out of your barrel, you can keep it attached for a few additional weeks; just make sure you are completely emptying it every time it fills. You should wait until the first good rain of the springtime has fallen before reattaching your rain barrel. The first good rain should flush considerably more debris from the roof and gutters than subsequent rains. Attaching your rain barrel before this point may increase the chances of clogging the diverter.

What happens when my rain barrel is full?
When your rain barrel is full, rainwater will be re-directed through the RainReserve Diverter and back to your gutter.

How do I clean the inside of the rain barrel?
We recommend washing the barrel when disconnecting it for the season. Use an environmentally friendly solution of 2 tsp. of castile soap + 2 tsp. vinegar or lemon juice per gallon of water for cleaning, swishing the solution around inside the barrel then rinsing the inside of the barrel with a garden hose. A concentrated spray nozzle will work well to remove residue from the inside of the barrel.

Why is storm water bad for lakes and other natural bodies of water?
It isn't the water that falls directly from the sky onto the lakes that is the problem—it is the storm water that runs over impervious surfaces and ends up flowing into the lakes fast, hot and dirty. It can pick up pet and livestock waste, fertilizers, pesticides, detergents, trash, invasive plant seeds, automotive liquids like motor oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, leaves, grass clippings and more. All of these elements have detrimental effects on the quality of the water in lakes, rivers, streams and oceans.

Where does the money go?
At RainReserve, we believe that the environment should be reaping the majority of the profits from our products. Therefore, RainReserve reinvests a portion of the proceeds of RainReserve Diverter Kit sales into the many sustainability outreach efforts of Sustain Dane.

Can I introduce the supply of water I acquire in my rain barrel into my home or business plumbing?
It is possible to utilize water from your rain barrel for certain home or business water needs (e.g. toilets) but it may be a complex process that requires professional installation.

Can I have someone install the RainReserve Diverter Kit for me?
Yes, a local professional may be able to assist you in getting your RainReserve Diverter up and running. We recommend you call your local gutter installation company to determine whether or not this is a possibility, and we are currently working towards developing a network of local installation experts.

What kind of barrel do I have to use?
Any closed tank (metal or plastic) of any size and shape will serve as an adequate container to collect the rain water. If you are reusing a container from any factory or manufacturer, please keep in mind that the barrel must be a food-grade container and must not have contained harmful chemicals during any of its prior functions or uses.

Can I add more than two barrels?
Yes,

Can I utilize the water in my barrel with a soaker hose?
Yes, simply thread the hose onto the high-flow spigot.

Can I hook up my sprinkler to the system?
RainReserve is constantly looking for ways to improve the functionality and expand the uses for rain barrel water. While at this time it is not possible to utilize the water with a sprinkler, we are working on a pressurization system to meet that need.