Winterize Rain Barrel Issue

[Jason8771]

I bought a new home with a rain barrel and need to winterize it.

I understand how to drain the barrel and such, obviously easy.

However, I have a diverter on my downspout and have no clue what to do with it once I disconnect the hose to the barrel.

It just has a hole and I assume water will flow out of it. I see no way to take it off and seal the downspout for winter.

Can anyone please tell me what I’m suppose to do here?

Including a pic for reference.

Thank you for any help!

 

[HERTS P&D]

Greetings from across the pond!

Leave it connected to the water barrel and just leave the tap at the bottom open and draining into a drain.

Andy

 

[Rodders53]

Never winterised the water barrels in my last home. 'twas easternmost England so mebbe didn't get extremely cold though. Noting that the water barrels were open (lidded) and plastic to absorb some freezing if it happened.

However the answer here is to leave about a foot or so of the connecting flexi attached and ty-wrapped to the down pipe above the connector. When it rains the pipe fills to a certain level where the water is then diverted to the downpipe, below.