Do you have your water storage? Or do you just have barrels like me, totally unfilled? Why do we leave them in our garages unfilled? GREAT QUESTION. Maybe it's because we don't know how to fill them up. Maybe it's because we don't know if we can store them on the cement or if we need to figure out some way to elevate them. And WHY would we need to elevate them? I have always wondered this myself. I'm one who doesn't like to follow blindly- I always ask why (yes, I'm like your two year old- but after I know why I won't ask you the same why five more times).
So- I called a water barrel manufacturer and asked if, and why and HERE'S THE ANSWER: Water barrels should be elevated off of the cement floor if you live in an area where there is radon present. What is radon? A colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up from the earth (as the result of the natural decay of uranium in the earth). It's heavier than air and is common in many parts of the country. Radon gas exposure is associated with lung cancer. How do you know if you have radon in your home then? Most people don't know. There are radon test kits that you can do yourself, or have a home inspector do for you (there are ways to get rid of it if you do, so don't panic). The easiest way is to just assume that you do have radon if you live in a rocky area for our water barrel scenario. Realistically there are TONS of places in UT that DO have radon (I'm a Realtor, so I know this because of all the real estate classes I've gone to). How to elevate? The company said that if you put a piece of plywood between the barrels and the floor, that's enough elevation (You could also use 2x4's, cement blocks, or MDF as well- your preference).
So now you know, to be safe-
KEEP WATER BARRELS OFF OF CEMENT (unless you're POSITIVE there's absolutely NO RADON where your home is located)
Fill your water barrel with your garden hose (after you run it for a minute or so to make sure it's clear of dirt and bugs)
And now there's NO EXCUSE not to get those barrels filled in your garage! I told my husband this weekend, "I'd rather be ready 50 YEARS TO EARLY than 1 MINUTE TOO LATE!" Seriously, wouldn't you? So fill up your barrels TODAY!
So- I called a water barrel manufacturer and asked if, and why and HERE'S THE ANSWER: Water barrels should be elevated off of the cement floor if you live in an area where there is radon present. What is radon? A colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up from the earth (as the result of the natural decay of uranium in the earth). It's heavier than air and is common in many parts of the country. Radon gas exposure is associated with lung cancer. How do you know if you have radon in your home then? Most people don't know. There are radon test kits that you can do yourself, or have a home inspector do for you (there are ways to get rid of it if you do, so don't panic). The easiest way is to just assume that you do have radon if you live in a rocky area for our water barrel scenario. Realistically there are TONS of places in UT that DO have radon (I'm a Realtor, so I know this because of all the real estate classes I've gone to). How to elevate? The company said that if you put a piece of plywood between the barrels and the floor, that's enough elevation (You could also use 2x4's, cement blocks, or MDF as well- your preference).
So now you know, to be safe-
KEEP WATER BARRELS OFF OF CEMENT (unless you're POSITIVE there's absolutely NO RADON where your home is located)
Fill your water barrel with your garden hose (after you run it for a minute or so to make sure it's clear of dirt and bugs)
And now there's NO EXCUSE not to get those barrels filled in your garage! I told my husband this weekend, "I'd rather be ready 50 YEARS TO EARLY than 1 MINUTE TOO LATE!" Seriously, wouldn't you? So fill up your barrels TODAY!
1 comment:
Wow I had NO CLUE you are supposed to elevate your water barrels. And, like you, I have an empty water barrel sitting in my garage UNFILLED!!! That is on my to-do list asap!!!
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