Rain barrel math finally clicked after I did it

I was dead set against rain barrels for my backyard in Austin, thought they were just expensive plastic tubs. Then I read that a 1,000 square foot roof can collect over 600 gallons from just one inch of rain... blew my mind. I ran the numbers for my own roof, about 1,200 square feet, and realized I could fill a 50 gallon barrel after just one decent storm. Has anyone else had that moment where a simple stat made you totally swap your approach to a project?

3 comments

3 Comments

piper7791mo ago

Math is usually my nemesis, but that roof stat was the plot twist I didn't see coming (and I'm still mad at myself for being wrong).

tarabell1mo ago

Honestly, wasn't I just rolling my eyes at the whole rain barrel thing too? Then I did the same roof math and it totally flipped my thinking.

lewis.terry1mo ago

Totally relate, @piper779 I had the same smug "whatever" attitude until I did the math and realized my roof basically doubles as a free water delivery service (and I'm just now cashing in).