Frequently Asked Questions about Rain Barrels

How much does shipping cost?
We are unable to ship our barrels at this time. We offer these barrels, provided by a soft drink company, at a low cost to residents of the Kansas City region so they can be reused rather than sent to a landfill.

Where can I pick up barrels?
Rain barrels must be picked up from 3 Trails Community Recycling Center. If you purchase your barrels online, be sure to bring your confirmation email. Click here for hours. Click here for directions.

How much do rain barrels cost?
55 gallon barrels cost $20 each. You can purchase one by calling May Evans at 816-561-1061, ext. 101 or by clicking here. Limit five per month.

Are these barrels ready-to-use?
No. These barrels are a tool for you to create your rain barrel.

Can you show me how to make a rain barrel?
Yes, we can! Come to one of our Rain Barrel Workshops! For $45, you will receive a 55 gallon barrel, the Rain Barrel Parts Package, plus great instructions. Space is limited, and registration is required. Call May at 816-561-1087 or may.evans@bridgingthegap.org to sign up.

Can I get the Rain Barrel Parts Package without going to the workshop?
We now sell the Rain Barrel Parts Package for $30, which you may purchase at the 3 Trails Community Recycling Center. These parts may also be available at local hardware stores, nurseries or bicycle repair shops.

What comes in the Rain Barrel Parts Package?
The Rain Barrel Parts Package includes the following items:

• ¾” hose bibb
• 1 ¼” nylon hose barb
• 1 ¼” sump pump hose, 6’ long
• Durable plant basket, 9” round
• Fiberglass window screen to wrap outside basket
• Bicycle tire tube elastic to tie fiberglass screen to basket

Please note: We sell the Rain Barrel Parts Package only in its complete form; no substitutions may be made and no parts are sold individually.

Can I buy only what I need and nothing more?
If you purchase a Rain Barrel Parts Package from Bridging The Gap, you will get the exact amount needed to complete one barrel. We do not sell the parts individually.

Note: If you choose to gather your own materials, you will likely have to purchase greater quantities or lengths of some items than you need to make one barrel.

What tools will I need to put my rain barrel together?
The tools you will need are:

• Saw (for cutting a hole in the top to hold the basket and screen)
• Drill
• 1 5/8” hole saw (for overflow)
• 1” hole saw (for hose bibb)
• Utility knife or rasp to scrape/ file away burrs on the cut hole

How big are these barrels? Will they fit in my car?
The 30 gallon barrels are 20” in diameter and 30” tall.
The 55 gallon barrels are 23” in diameter and 36” tall.
You might want to measure your trunk or backseat just to make sure you can easily transport them.

Will I really ever collect 55 gallons of water?
Yes! One inch of rain on the roof of a 1,000 sq. ft. house measures about 600 gallons of water. With the right setup, you could fill more than ten barrels with each inch of rain!

What do I do with my barrel in the winter?
While the rain barrels sold by Bridging The Gap are made from sturdy plastic it is possible that frozen water could expand and burst the seams of your barrel. Make sure to leave your spigot in the open position so that water does not collect. If you choose to move your barrel indoors remember to replace the missing portion of downspout so that water will drain all the way to ground level.

Still have questions? Call 816-561-1061, ext. 120 or e-mail beau.baker@bridgingthegap.org