June 2010 
EcoMarsh 

A Division of Marsh Products

 Newsletter Issue 2
In This Issue
We love your Photos!
More Water Saving Devices
It's Rainin' Man!
Barrel Installation Tips
Quick Links
 
 
 
Join Our Mailing List
Upcoming Events 
 
 
 
 
 
As a green certified business, our goals are to offer products and tips that encourage the responsible use of our planet's resources.  We welcome your input and hope to engage you in reselling and enjoying our earth friendly products. 
Your Happy Rain Barrels!
 
We asked you to send us photos of your Rain Barrel Installations and you came through for us.
 
  
Rain Barrel Installation by Rick G. (58K) 
Oak Rain Barrel owner Rick G. is  not only an avid water harvester, but he solved a special problem he had at the side of his home with his clever installation.
 
Two down-spouts were necessary to handle his roof water on the
same side of this garage that had an adjacent sidewalk.  
 
The downspout extensions to the grass were becoming a continual  annoyance and were a trip hazard.
 
Having no extentions was not an option for the health of this
foundation.  Temporarily moving the downspout extensions each  
time the owner mowed was getting tiresome.  
 
His installation of two ecoMarsh Oak Rain barrels which solved  his problem were astheticlly very appealing. 
 
We love your installation , Rick....
Thanks for the pics!
 
We are enjoying seeing all the great Rain Barrel installation photos.
Keep 'em comin", all you  rain barrel lovers!
 
 
 
Green Products
 More Water-Saving Devices
One2Flush Dual switch
Yes, you know we carry Oak Wine Casks converted to Rain Barrels for water harvesting, but did you know we also carry a water saving device called the One2Flush that is easily installed into toilet tanks in your home.  With its dual settings it even saves with a low flush toilet: one for #1 in the potty and
another setting for #2.
 
(are you grinning yet?) You are sure to smile with this great water saving device.
Click our link for more information. Or order them for $32.00 each by calling us M-F 9:00AM-4:00PM
See our links to check one out in person at our upcoming events!
 
It's Rainin' Man!
What a great turn out at the May and June Kane County Flea Markets and also the Elgin Green Expo and the Rolling Down the River Business Expo at Pheasant Run.  Nice to see old friends and meet new customers who are interested in harvesting water.
We will be at Kane County Flea Market for the month of July (yes, the 3rd and 4th) so don't miss us on that holiday weekend.  We will also be there for the month of August, but not September. 
 
Don't miss us at the Aurora Greenlights Summer Solstice Celebration on June 12th from 10AM - 3PM, and the More on 34 event in Yorkville on Friday June 19th, 10AM-3PM.  
 

   911 Emergency System jpg with no copy

 

Once

Napa Valley wine casks, these repurposed barrels which have skirted their prior destination of the dump are now useful, gorgeous oak rain barrels ready for installation.  Fitted with an overflow valve, spigot and gutter opening cut into the top this water harvesting solution is the product of our newest division, EcoMarsh.  Originally coopered in France of African oak, they are proudly assembled right here in the good old USA and made of entirely renewable resources.  
 
Read more at www.EcoMarsh.com
 
Installation tips for our Oak Rain Barrel 
 

Positioning your barrel   Whether you choose a spot in the middle of a large garden area or beneath a downspout, take time to carefully consider the location of your plants and how you will water them with your harvested water....by hose, soaker, or watering can. 

 
 Gravity is your power source -It's free and it never breaks down.  We recommend setting your barrel on a foundation to lift it at least 12 to 14 inches.  Consider a foundation of cinder block, pavers, landscape bricks or even found flagstone from digging in your own garden in your chosen location.  When seting up your base area under a down spoout, be sure to account for the 29" girth of the barrel.  
 

Under the downspout - we recommend a downspout emptying to 3" above the barrel surface, and not directly into the barrel below the fill line.  This space allows for a screening to be installed to cover the opening.  Any scrap window screening will do.  We have #80 fine mesh available for sale in 8x 10 sheets for $6.  Using an upholstery stapler or tacks secure the screening so mosquitoes, frogs, chipmonks or other swimmers will be deterred, and gutter debris can be conveniently and quickly cleared.

 

Safety in lifting -  These barrels weigh 95 pounds when dry and over 543 pounds when wet.  Though you would never lift/move a barrel that has water in it, do be sure to take care when moving a dry barrel.  We recommend handling the barrel vertically when lifting to avoid both a back injury and accidentally damaging the spigot seal.  With a straight back, squat, and by slightly tipping the barrel in one direction, get your hand under the bottom rim at center and grasp the top rim of the barrel directly above it in the center of its gravity.  Have your buddy place hands directly opposite of yours on the other side of the barrel. Keeping the barrel verticle, lift by standing straight up using your legs, not your back.  Place the barrel in position by squatting and tip slightly to set down.

 

 Swabbing the deck - When you first get you barrel, it may be dried out afer months in storage similar to a long dry period.  Just as the sailors swabbed the deck of a ship, the staves of the barrel need to be whetted to make it water tight. You can spray your barrel down repeatedly or for a more time efficient method, fill your barrel the first time to allow the force of water to push the staves into the metal rings and to swell the wood so as to be water tight.  Keep a bit of water in the bottom during a dry season to allow water to wick up.

  
Thy cup overfloweth - Make use of the over flow valve when impending storms are brewing and your barrel is already full.  Attach a hose to the upper over-flow valve and run the hose out to a place away from your foundation.  This will help keep your foundation from excessive spillage where you don't want water.
 
  

See future newsletters for more tips on how to install your barrel.

 
To order and for more information, contact:
Genevieve O'Brien
Marsh Products and EcoMarsh
336 McKee Street, Batavia, IL 60510
(630) 879-8008 x- 109