Has anyone used this in an open area (rather than right under a downspout)? Is the top wide enough to catch plenty of rain as it falls?
1128286
Mine started filling up before I installed under a downspout. But it would take a weeks worth of monsoons! Needs to be under a downspout....
1128287
I just use mine to store water in case of emergency. The top is only about 18 inches across so probably wouldn't catch much water unless you could figure out a funnel system to add to the top.
1128288
Unless you are getting a cats & dogs deluge, I doubt you are going to collect much water that way. Consider that a downspout is collecting water for an area the size of the roof or at least some part of the roof, which is going to be hundreds of square feet. The top of the barrel is about 1 square foot or so. Based on that, you can expect to get about 1% or less of the water that you would get from a downspout.
1128289
The top is too small to be an efficient way to gather rain. I suggest making a funnel from fabric... I think a shower curtain would work.
1128290
I have only used it under a downspout. I would guess it would fill at half the rate of the rainfall--in other words, if your area received 4 inches of rain, you would only get two inches of water in the barrel. Chances are if you are getting enough rain to fill the barrel in an open space, you don't need the barrel for water conservation purposes. My two cents.
1118537
It is built with a good anchoring system, but I have not had to use it under extreme conditions such as high wind. Apart of the design that I found to be a problem is the angle of the walls. The way the walls are angled in from the base does not for allow enough coverage from rain. Even a light rain. If they were to increase the dimension of the roof, a little closer to the dimension of the base; more space would be useable inside the tent when it rains.
2131476
I live in Florida near the beach and have a lot of wind. I have not screwed the unit down yet but it does make a little noise and move around a little on really windy days. I would say to just try it for a while it may depend on location. the top does a good job letting the wind through.
1340226
It sheds rain fine. Even in a downpour, it did not collect water and collapse, as I've witnessed other canopies do.
2142303
I hung mine out in the open weather with no cover. Has worked well and been thru many rain and wind storms.
956594
Absolutely that's where I have mine all the time! I'm not too sure about direct rain though! Mine is under overhang, but it has a guard for the top...
146800
A downspout can be positioned into that open top, then I would suggest you cover around it with plastic or such. There is a perforated disk to enclose the top while letting in loose rain (with no downspout), or downpour from eaves - which is what I use it for. The disk doesn't quite fit tightly enough for me, so I added a circular screen wire on top of the disk (which eliminates more dirt droppings) and I duct taped the disk/wire around the top of the barrel to help hold it in place. The faucet works well; the whole container holds a lot of water. I have really enjoyed having 2 of these (where I have a lot of run-off from the roof) to help with watering during our extreme drought and water rationing for 2 summers. I plan to add gutter drops into them eventually. They are very stable and you can add a barrel/tub/trash can next to it under the "run-off" drain so that when the barrel is filled during a storm, you can still collect extra water.
1451719
Good cover but open on bottom. It will keep light to moderate rain off and humidity to extent any cover would help. Open at bottom to prevent condensation. Real answer is likely no.
1331322
My shed resides NM so it likely sees less rain then imaginable. However after the 2-3 rain events we've had since I put it up about 1.5 years ago not a drop made it inside. That being said, it has a 2 piece roof (the front half slides over the back half) which would be the only possible leaking point and I think that would only become an issue if it was installed on an uneven surface. Mines water tight!
2048400
No. The covering is very flimsy, and the seams on mine frayed apart within a couple weeks' use. Also, there is nothing to hold the top down - it's just a flap that can lay on top of the insert. Better than nothing in the rain, but not waterproof.
1130313
No. There is an opening in the top--sort of an inverted handle. So it lets in rain and leaves, etc.
1125364
I have two miniature schnauzers that ride in mine and love it, they do love the top open to get more of a breeze, but no issues with it closed if it is raining.
2057737
I live in Colorado and I use it under my deck, which is open on all sides but of course the deck above give it some protection. It has weathered the blistering summer from last year and gone through rain and snow and is still looking new. Rain and water seem to bead up and roll off. For the price I don't think you can beat it. I bought two due to the size of the area I wanted to work in.
1616836
I've used it in the rain with no problems. I wouldn't stick it under water or anything, but if it gets some water on it it should be fine.
103646
It fits very snuggly in a 5" gutter. There is an open space near the bottom so it doesn't block water flow. It is not good for a steep roof, say 7-12. In a heavy rain it will overflow. Sorry I cannot give you dimensions, but for using it as described it works and will not come out in a wind storm.
1524996
It works perfect when it raining out. Just make sure you have it blowing out and not in. I've had this a year now and I love it.
730058
Like a sunshade, rain runs off but still drips in heavy down pours. Would not want to leave it down if you are not around, wind could take it. But its a great way to get on shade, for not a lot of money.