How To Protect The Bottom Of An Iron Barrel From Corrosion?

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

An iron barrel for water used to water the site is likely to be found at every summer cottage. And in the event that this barrel is made of metal, its owner may sooner or later face such an unpleasant problem as corrosion leading to cracks or even holes in the bottom. If someone has already tried to patch up such defects, then he certainly knows how difficult it can be to do, therefore, it is much easier to try to prevent the occurrence of corrosion

Why does rust appear on the bottom of the barrel?

In most cases, rust first appears only in the lower part of barrels made of metal, and, of course, there is a logical explanation for this fact - this is damp earth on which the container stands! Water itself usually destroys the metal very slowly, but dampness, or damp soil, has an extremely unfavorable effect on the bottom of the barrel, as a result of which, after several years of using the container, the first holes can be found on it.

How to protect against corrosion?

This can be done in completely different ways. Many summer residents try to paint all the barrels on the site, and act wisely. But this method of protection against corrosion is very short-lived, and the paint layer will have to be periodically renewed. Red lead has proven itself especially well in this business - this name hides a special ship paint with an iron base. Although this paint is cheap, it perfectly helps to protect metal containers from corrosion for a long time!

Some gardeners and gardeners are very willing to use all kinds of protective coatings, for example, generously coat their barrels with cannon tallow. True, not everyone will like such radical measures, but this is primarily due to the fact that with this approach, the water can begin to become covered with extremely unsightly and far from the most useful oily stains.

Sometimes the bottom of a metal barrel is covered with bitumen, and it should be noted that bitumen has a lot of advantages! Firstly, it will not be difficult to apply it to any metal surface, secondly, it does not emit substances that can harm human health, and, thirdly, it can be used to quickly and hermetically seal almost any gaps or crevices! In order to cover the bottom of the barrel with bitumen, in addition to the bitumen itself, you will also need a blowtorch and a brush. Bitumen must be warmed up before being applied to the surface, and only after that it is put into operation, after which it is allowed to dry thoroughly. And for greater reliability, you can cover the bottom of the garden barrel with two layers of bitumen.

Of course, before starting to cover the bottom of the barrel with any compounds, its surface must be cleaned from the rust already accumulated on it (if any), after which the surface is also degreased.

The simplest and, most importantly, very effective way to protect the bottom of the barrel from corrosion is to simply pick it up and raise it above the ground! At the same time, there is absolutely no need to raise it high - it is enough to retreat only a few centimeters from the surface of the wet soil, and in this case the moisture below will also stop accumulating! In order to organize proper ventilation, you can place the barrel on several stones, bricks or tiles. And if a wheel that has served its intended purpose is available, you can use it as well. True, in the latter case, it will be necessary to ensure stability for the barrel - as a rule, for this purpose it is propped up with several metal or wooden pins.

With proper care, metal containers can last up to fifty years or even more, which means that in order to protect them from corrosion, they must be looked after from the very moment they appear on the site!