Rain Barrel Diverter Installation Cost in Ottawa

Installing a rain barrel diverter on an existing downspout in Ottawa is one of the most affordable eavestrough-related upgrades you can do, with total costs ranging from $50 to $200 as a DIY project or $150 to $400 if you hire a professional to handle the installation. The diverter itself is the main expense, while the labour is relatively quick since most installations take under an hour.

A basic rain barrel diverter kit costs $20 to $60 at Ottawa-area hardware stores and typically includes the diverter valve, a short connector hose, and the necessary fittings. These simple diverters work by cutting a section out of your downspout and inserting a valve that redirects water into the barrel when it is open and sends overflow back down the downspout when the barrel is full. Premium diverter systems with automatic overflow management run $50 to $120 and are worth the extra cost because they prevent the barrel from overflowing against your foundation during heavy Ottawa summer storms.

The rain barrel itself is a separate cost. The City of Ottawa sells subsidized rain barrels through its environmental programs, typically for $40 to $55 each, which is well below retail pricing of $80 to $200 for comparable barrels. These sales usually happen in spring and sell out quickly, so watch the City of Ottawa website starting in March. A standard residential rain barrel holds 200 to 250 litres of water, which fills up surprisingly fast during even a moderate Ottawa rainstorm.

If you are comfortable with basic tools, this is a reasonable DIY project for a handy homeowner. You will need a hacksaw or reciprocating saw to cut the downspout section, a drill for mounting the diverter bracket, tin snips for minor adjustments, and silicone sealant for waterproofing the connections. The entire job takes 30 to 60 minutes on a ground-level downspout with good access.

There are a few Ottawa-specific considerations to keep in mind. Your rain barrel must be disconnected and drained before winter. Ottawa's temperatures regularly hit minus 25 to minus 30 degrees Celsius, and water freezing inside a barrel or diverter will crack the plastic and potentially damage the downspout connection. Most Ottawa homeowners disconnect their barrels in late October and reconnect them in late April after the frost risk has passed. The diverter section should be replaced with a standard downspout connector for winter, or use a diverter model that has a winter bypass mode.

Also worth noting, the City of Ottawa's sewer use bylaw does not restrict residential rain barrel use for garden watering, but you cannot connect a rain barrel to your home's plumbing without proper backflow prevention. The collected water is great for gardens, lawns, and washing outdoor equipment but is not potable. If you would rather have a professional handle the installation, especially if the downspout is on a second storey or in a difficult access location, you can find contractors through the Ottawa Construction Network directory at justynrookcontracting.com who can complete the job quickly and ensure everything is properly sealed.