We installed this rain barrel today, just in time for a major storm, which gave us the perfect opportunity to see how it performed in real-world conditions. Initially, we noticed water overflowing from the top of the barrel. After some troubleshooting, we discovered that the mesh liner included with the unit was not allowing water to flow through properly. Once we removed the mesh liner, the rain barrel worked exactly as expected and handled the rainfall without issue.
The barrel itself looks great and blends beautifully with the brick exterior of our home. It has a much more attractive appearance than many of the plastic rain barrels we’ve seen.
Our only concern is that without the included mesh liner, we’ll need to find an alternative solution to keep insects, mosquitoes, and small animals out while still allowing water to flow freely into the barrel. It would be helpful if the manufacturer offered a more effective screening solution that doesn’t restrict water flow during heavier rain events.
Since we just installed the rain barrel, we have not yet had the opportunity to test the spigot and hose connection to see how well water flows out for watering plants and gardens. If those components perform as expected, we’ll be very pleased with the overall product.
Overall, we’re very happy with the appearance and functionality of the rain barrel, but the included mesh liner may need to be redesigned or improved to prevent overflow issues during heavier rain.
