Have You Installed a Rain Barrel Yet?

It bears repeating that it is always a smart idea to try and do your part to help out your local environment and an added bonus might be some money in your pocket as well! You might not realize it, but chances are pretty good that you use a lot of water around your home's exterior. Every time you turn on the hose or carry out a watering can, you are both spending money on your utility bill and using up a precious resource. Luckily, there's a simple and effective way to curb your impact: install a rain barrel! Here are some great reasons why you should consider this simple improvement. 

1. Reduce Your Usage

The most obvious advantage of installing a rain barrel is that it reduces to amount of water that you have to purchase from the utility company. This reduction will be particularly large if you have to regularly water your lawn during dry weather, which can triple your water usage. Even a small home's roof collects hundreds of gallons of water in each storm, meaning a rain barrel (or two!) will equal a huge amount of conserved water.

2. Rainwater > Tap

Rainwater doesn't contain any of the treatment chemicals, such as chlorine, that are used to sanitize tap water. Plus, because of its natural composition, rainwater will be filled with microorganisms that can be beneficial to maintaining healthy soil and plants.

3. Protect Your Foundation

If you have a particular part of the house where you know the soil often becomes saturated, installing a rain barrel on the nearest downspout can help contain some of that unwanted moisture! Over time, dampness can cause your foundation to crack and cause water to enter your basement after heavy rain. The rain barrel reduces the amount of water that the soil has to absorb, helping keep it dry.

These are just a few of the many reasons that you should add a rain barrel to your home's exterior! To see more, check out "8 Reasons to Add a Rain Barrel to Your Garden" from HomeAdvisor.