Care and feeding of a rain barrel:

Limit the organic matter from getting in your rain barrel or into your underground landscape pipe with a downspout filter.

Rain barrels need to be kept free of leaves, and other organic matter so that the rainwater can flow in and out of them.

Many of the rain barrels on the market have a screen that limits debris from entering the barrel. These metal and nylon screens can get torn or may become clogged with the small grit from an asphalt roof. Check them often for damage.

What happens if the inlet is clogged with debris? Rain is unable to enter the barrel and all that rainwater just runs over the top and down the sides. Not a great idea as the water is likely to damage the foundation of the home over time.

One way to limit the size and amount of debris headed towards the rain barrel is to use an in-line downspout filter. Downspout filters are cut into the downspout and collects or removes debris before it gets to the barrel.

Look for a downspout filter that is made from durable materials. Like this one at
www.aquabarrel.com/product_downspout_filters_slim_line.php