FAQ

FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much rain water will my wine barrel hold?

A: Wine barrels hold approximately 55-59 gallons

Q: How long does it take to fill up a rain barrel?
A: With one good rainy day you can fill up your barrel within an hour.
However, it depends on the roof area and amount of rain that is being fed into the downspout you installed your Rain Barrel under:

1" of rain on a 1,000 sq foot roof = 625 gallons of rain water = .625 gallons per sq foot
.75" of rain on a 1,000 sq foot roof = 469 gallons of rain water = .469 gallons per sq foot
.5" of rain on a 1,000 sq foot roof = 313 gallons of rain water = .313 gallons per sq foot
.25" of rain on a 1,000 sq foot roof = 156 gallons of rain water = .156 gallons per sq foot

Example: A 1,000 square foot roof equally divided between 4 downspouts would create four roof areas of 250 square feet. 1" of rain on a 250 square foot roof area would result in 156 gallons of rain water. 0.25" of rain on the same 250 square foot roof section would result in 39 gallons of rain water.

Q: Can I drink the rain water from the rain barrel?

A: No, rain water is not potable. It is not safe for human consumption in anyway, even if you boil the water.

Q: Will my barrel be exactly like the photos on the web site?

A: Barrels are unique to the winery that they are shipped from. We purchase from several winery's and that can determine the look. There is a variance in the amount of years the barrel is used per winery so the barrel could have a more seasoned look.

Q: What if my barrel is leaking?

A: Wine barrels need to swell to seal themselves. Your barrel will need to be filled 6-10" prior to initial use. It can take up to two weeks for the barrel to swell.

Q: What makes Barrel Depots barrels better than the rest?

A: First of all our barrels are made of solid French and/or American oak that was used to produce wine. These barrels are recycled directly from the wineries. Oak barrels have a long life and look great in a garden environment. Our barrels are not made out of bright blue or white plastic that is not aesthetically apealing.

Q: Can I leave my barrel outside in the winter?

A: Yes, but the barrels should be winterized first. They should be drained at the end of the season, disconnected from the downspout or rain chain before there is any frost, and completely covered. It is best to bring the barrel inside if possible.

Q: Can you link barrels together?

A: Yes, you can link your barrels together with our linking kit. ($14.95, email for more information barreldepot@live.com)

Q: Why do you want an oak barrel rather than a plasic barrel?

A: Using a recycled wine barrel is completing it's life cycle from the wine industry. Oak barrels are esthetically more pleasing to the eye.

Q: What is your privacy policy?

A: Privacy Policy:

Barrel Depot is highly sensitive to the privacy interests of consumers and believes that the protection of those interests is one of its most significant responsibilities. In acknowledgment of its obligations, Barrel Depot has adopted the following Privacy Policy applicable to information about consumers that it acquires in the course of its business:
1. Acquisition of Information. We do not acquire any more information about consumers than is required by law or is otherwise necessary to provide a high level of service efficiently and securely.
2. Our Employees and Privacy. We train all of our employees about the importance of privacy. We give access to information about consumers only to those employees who require it to perform their jobs.
3. Security Measures. We make access to privacy-sensitive information subject to rigorous procedural and technological controls, consistent with legal requirements and the demands of customer service.
4. Disclosure to Third Parties. We will provide individually-identifiable information about consumers to third parties only if we are compelled to do so by order of a duly-empowered governmental authority, we have the express permission of the consumer, or it is necessary to process transactions and provide our services.
5. Privacy and Our Business Partners. When we make our technology or services available to business partners, we will not share with them any more consumer information than is necessary, and we will make every reasonable effort to assure, by contract or otherwise, that they use our technology and services in a manner that is consistent with this Privacy Policy.
Questions. If you have questions about this privacy policy, please send an e-mail to www.goEmerchant.com
Celebrating our 15th Year (1995-2010)

Q: What is your return policy?

A: All sales final

Because the barrels we sell are used we do not offer refunds. However, if the barrel continues leaks after two weeks of date of purchase and has not been exposed to frost or freezing temperatures then we can exchange it for another barrel that is in-stock. Barrel must be returned to Shakopee, MN at customer's expense in order to get barrel exchanged.