Step 12 - Maintenance

Maintenance requirements for rain barrels are minimal and consist only of regular inspection of the unit as a whole and any of its constituent parts and accessories. The following components should be routinely inspected, at least twice a year, and either repaired or replaced as needed.

**NOTE: Make sure to empty the rain barrel between rainstorms.

●  Roof catchment, to ensure that no particulate matter or other parts of the roof are entering the gutter and downspout to the rain barrel.

●  Gutters, to ensure that no leaks or obstructions are occurring.

●  Downspouts, also to assure that no leaks or obstructions are occurring.

●  Entrance at rain barrel, to ensure that there are no obstructions and/or leaks occurring.

●  Rain barrel, to check for potential leaks, including barrel top and seal.

●  Runoff / overflow pipe, to check that overflow is draining in non-erosive manner.

●  Spigot, to ensure that it is functioning correctly.

●  Any accessories, such as rain diverter, soaker hose, linking kit, and additional guttering.