"Also, make sure you secure it really well around the edges; raccoons seem to have endless patience for finding weak spots..."
Yeah, raccoons are relentless... I'm curious though, has anyone tried using reclaimed materials for their rain barrel setups? I've seen some people repurpose old food-grade barrels or drums, but I'm wondering if they're sturdy enough to handle critters and weather long-term. Would love to hear if anyone's had success (or failures) going that route.
I've seen a few setups using reclaimed barrels, and honestly, I'm a bit skeptical about their durability long-term. Sure, food-grade drums can be sturdy enough initially, but they're not exactly designed to sit outside exposed to UV rays and temperature swings year-round. I've noticed that after a couple of seasons, the plastic can get brittle or start cracking around fittings—especially if you're in an area with harsh winters or intense sun.
"Yeah, raccoons are relentless..."
Exactly this. If raccoons are already an issue in your area, I'd be extra cautious with reclaimed barrels. The lids and fittings on repurposed drums aren't always as secure as purpose-built rain barrels. I've seen raccoons pry open lids that seemed pretty secure at first glance. They're crafty little buggers...
That said, if you're set on going the reclaimed route (and I get it—saving money and recycling is appealing), you might want to reinforce any weak points yourself. Maybe add some metal strapping or hardware cloth around vulnerable areas. A buddy of mine did something similar—wrapped his barrel in chicken wire after raccoons chewed through the plastic vent screen—and it seemed to help.
Personally though, I'd lean toward investing a bit more upfront for something specifically designed for outdoor use. It might save you headaches down the road dealing with leaks or critter damage. But hey, if you're handy and don't mind occasional maintenance checks, reclaimed barrels can definitely work... just keep an eye on them over time.
I get the concerns about reclaimed barrels, but honestly, I've had mine running for about three years now without any major issues. Granted, we don't have super harsh winters here, but the UV exposure is pretty intense. I did paint mine with a UV-resistant spray paint right after setting it up, and it's held up surprisingly well.
"I've seen raccoons pry open lids that seemed pretty secure at first glance."
Yeah, raccoons are crafty for sure, but I just put a couple bricks on top of my lid and haven't had any break-ins yet...fingers crossed.
I've seen bricks work fine most times, but raccoons around here are next-level determined. I ended up using bungee cords to strap mine down after finding the lid halfway across the yard one morning...lesson learned, lol.
Haha, raccoons really don't mess around, do they? Glad you figured out a fix with the bungee cords. Have you checked if the cords hold up okay in bad weather, like heavy rain or snow? Always wonder about durability with setups like that...
