Expert Gardener Rain Barrel

Everything You Need to Know Before Purchasing an Expert Gardener Rain Barrel

As an avid gardener, I’m always looking for ways to conserve water and be more sustainable in my landscaping practices. That’s why I decided to invest in a rain barrel for my garden. But not just any rain barrel – I wanted one specifically from Expert Gardener because of their reputation for high quality and durability.

After doing quite a bit of research, I’m now the proud owner of an Expert Gardener 55 gallon rain barrel! I absolutely love it and wanted to share my experience for those of you considering an Expert Gardener rain barrel purchase. In this buying guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know before investing in one of these rain harvesting systems.

What is an Expert Gardener Rain Barrel used for?

A rain barrel like the Expert Gardener model is used to collect and store rainwater that falls on your roof and gutters. The stored water can then be used to water your lawn, garden, or indoor plants later. Rain barrels help conserve municipal water and save you money on your water bill.

Expert Gardener rain barrels are ideal for gardening applications. Storing rainwater helps provide plants and gardens with a naturally soft, pH balanced water source that is better for them than treated tap water. The rainwater collected is also free of chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals found in city water sources.

How do I set up an Expert Gardener Rain Barrel?

Setting up an Expert Gardener rain barrel is a relatively straightforward process. Here are the basic steps:

• Choose a location – Place the barrel on a stable, level surface near a downspout of your home or garage. Make sure the area has full sun exposure.
• Elevate the barrel – Use cinder blocks, bricks, or a platform to raise the barrel above ground level. This allows you to easily access the spigot and enables gravity flow.
• Connect downspout – Redirect your downspout using a downspout diverter to feed the gutter water directly into the barrel. Secure all connections.
• Install overflow – An overflow hose should be attached to direct excess water away from the foundation of your home. This prevents flooding.
• Add access components – Attach the included spigot, garden hose adapter, lid, and screen. These allow you to access the stored water.
• Enjoy your rainwater! – Start harvesting rain and use as needed in your landscaping.

How much water can an Expert Gardener Rain Barrel hold?

Expert Gardener offers rain barrels in a few different sizes, but their most popular option is the 55 gallon model. This barrel has the capacity to hold 55 gallons of captured rainwater.

To put it in perspective, 1 inch of rain on a 1000 square foot roof yields approximately 600 gallons of water. So even just a small amount of rainfall can quickly fill your Expert Gardener barrel and provide you with an ample water source!

Is the Expert Gardener Rain Barrel made of durable materials?

Yes, definitely. Expert Gardener only uses thick and sturdy polyethylene plastic to construct their rain barrels. This material is UV-stabilized and rustproof, enabling the barrels to withstand exposure to sun and the elements.

The plastic is also BPA-free and food-grade, meaning it won’t leach any nasty chemicals into your collected rainwater. You can rest assured the quality of the water won’t be compromised by inferior materials.

Does the Expert Gardener Rain Barrel come with a spigot?

Yes, abuilt-in spigot for conveniently accessing the stored water is included with Expert Gardener rain barrels. The brass spigot is lead-free and has a rubber washer for a tight seal.

I use my rain barrel spigot all the time to fill watering cans or attach a hose for watering. It’s much easier than trying to get water out with a bucket! The spigot has a turn valve so you can control water flow as needed.

Can the Expert Gardener Rain Barrel be connected to a garden hose?

The Expert Gardener barrel is designed for compatibility with any standard garden hose. It comes with a pre-installed hose bib adapter you simply screw your hose onto.

This allows you to easily distribute your harvested rainwater anywhere in your yard up to the length of your hose. No need for multiple watering cans! I keep my rain barrel constantly connected to a 50 foot hose.

Does the Expert Gardener Rain Barrel include a lid or cover?

Yes, all Expert Gardener rain barrels come with a sturdy lid. The lid fits tightly to seal out debris, mosquitoes, and animals. It has a large opening on top that connects to your downspout diverter.

The lid features an inner screen to filter out leaves and gunk before they enter your barrel. This helps keep contaminants and clogs out of your water supply. The lid also keeps out sunlight to prevent algae growth.

How do I clean an Expert Gardener Rain Barrel?

Cleaning your Expert Gardener rain barrel is easy. Just use a hose to spray out any debris through the big opening every few months. I also like to occasionally add a small amount of bleach and water mixture to sanitize the inside.

Make sure to thoroughly rinse afterward. You can also clean the outside of the barrel with mild soap and water. Expert Gardener barrels are low maintenance and don’t require much cleaning if setup properly.

Is the Expert Gardener Rain Barrel resistant to UV rays?

Definitely. The plastic used in Expert Gardener rain barrel construction is specially treated to be UV-stabilized. This makes the barrels extremely resistant to damage and fading from the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays.

Even after years outdoors collecting rainwater, you likely won’t notice any deterioration or cracking due to sun exposure. The UV protection gives the barrels longevity.

Where can I buy an Expert Gardener Rain Barrel?

Expert Gardener rain barrels can be purchased from multiple retailers online and in-store at garden centers. I bought mine from Home Depot, but they are also available on Amazon, Walmart, Ace Hardware, and directly from Expert Gardener’s website.

You can typically find a 55 gallon Expert Gardener barrel priced between $100-$150. Sometimes they go on sale too! Expert Gardener offers free shipping on online orders from their website.

Does the Expert Gardener Rain Barrel come with a warranty?

Yes, Expert Gardener provides a limited 2-year manufacturer’s warranty on all of their rain barrels. This covers any defects in materials or workmanship.

I felt confident purchasing my Expert Gardener barrel knowing it came backed by a solid 2 year warranty for peace of mind. Their customer service is also very responsive if any issues arise.

Can the Expert Gardener Rain Barrel be used in cold climates?

The Expert Gardener rain barrel can be used year round, even in colder climates. However, during freezing temperatures the water inside will freeze, blocking usage and potentially damaging the barrel if not handled properly.

It’s recommended to disconnect all hoses and completely drain the barrel before first freeze. Once thawed in spring, reconnect and resume collecting rainwater. Or you can swap it out for one of Expert Gardener’s winter collection barrels.

How do I prevent mosquitoes in my Expert Gardener Rain Barrel?

Mosquito prevention is built right into the design of the Expert Gardener rain barrel. The snug fitting lid, debris screen, and lack of standing water all deter mosquitoes from getting inside and breeding.

Optional mosquito dunks containing BTI can also be added to kill larvae. Some people also choose to add a thin layer of food grade oil on top of the harvested rainwater. This suffocates mosquito eggs.

What is the price range of Expert Gardener Rain Barrels?

Expert Gardener offers rain barrels in a variety of sizes at different price points to meet any budget:

• 50 gallon model – $120-$150
• 55 gallon model – $130-$180
• 60 gallon model – $150-$200
• 80 gallon model – $170-$250
• 100 gallon model – $200-$300

The most popular 55 gallon size provides the best value for performance and price. But they have options for smaller or larger harvest capacity if needed.

How do I connect multiple Expert Gardener Rain Barrels together?

It’s easy to daisy chain two or more Expert Gardener rain barrels together for even more rainwater storage capacity using a Link Kit. The kit includes parts to connect the spigots and overflow ports.

You can also use a hose splitter that connects your downspout diverter to two or more barrels at once for simultaneous collection. More barrels means more free irrigation water available for your thirsty plants!

Is the Expert Gardener Rain Barrel easy to install?

Installing an Expert Gardener rain barrel is straightforward enough for most DIYers in about an hour. The barrels come fully assembled so you don’t have to figure out any confusing parts.

All the necessary fittings like spigot, overflow, and downspout diverter are included. Just find a good spot, get your barrel elevated, and route your downspout. Expert Gardener provides detailed instructions too.

Can the Expert Gardener Rain Barrel be used for drinking water?

The rainwater collected by an Expert Gardener barrel is safe for many non-potable uses like gardening, cleaning, and pets. However, it is not recommended to drink the water from a rain barrel without proper filtration and treatment.

To make rain barrel water safe for human consumption, additional steps would need to be taken such as boiling,UV treatment, or running through an approved drinking water filter.

Does the Expert Gardener Rain Barrel have an overflow system?

Yes, a flexible overflow hose comes pre-attached to each Expert Gardener rain barrel. You can route the overflow away from your home’s foundation to safely drain off excess collected rainwater if the barrel reaches full capacity.

This is an important feature to prevent flooding. The overflow fitting allows you to rest easy during heavy rain knowing your barrel won’t overflow uncontrollably onto the ground. Proper drainage makes installation worry-free.

How does the Expert Gardener Rain Barrel compare to other brands?

After researching many options, I found the Expert Gardener brand to offer the best overall value. Their barrels are affordably priced but don’t compromise on functionality and quality construction.

The barrels boast thicker plastic walls than competitors, are made in the USA, and come with nice added features like the debris filtering screen. Other leading brands like Good Ideas or Emsco didn’t seem quite as durable.

Are there different sizes available for Expert Gardener Rain Barrels?

Yes, Expert Gardener offers their popular rain barrels in sizes ranging from 50 up to 100 gallons. This gives you flexibility to choose the harvest capacity that best suits your needs.

Some of the most common sizes are:

• 50 gallon
• 55 gallon
• 75 gallon
• 80 gallon

Go with a larger model if you have expansive collection areas or need to water high volume landscape. The smaller 50 gallon size works well for smaller spaces.

And there you have it – everything you could need to know before purchasing an Expert Gardener rain barrel! I absolutely love using mine for free garden irrigation. The quality and performance has lived up to my expectations. I highly recommend Expert Gardener barrels for anyone looking to conserve water and lower their environmental impact through rainwater harvesting. Let me know if you have any other questions!