Time to hit the Sears cataglog, Black and Decker, or DeWalt tool listings. They all have what is called a Sawzall. A must tool. Either cord or cordless. Very usefull for cutting all kinds of things with metal or wood blades. Avoid China made, they don't last. I have three 55 gal drums that I think at one time had swimming pool chemicals in them. By the time I got them they had been emptied and it was several years ago and back then I rinsed them well and since have caught rainwater in them, added mosquito pellets and/or capped them and used the water when there is a lack of rain. Unless you are part gorilla I don't see how you could reach all the way down into a 55 gal container from the top but I would think if you have an open area far from plants etc, you could fill them and then siphon off the diluted chemical. Or lay them on their side and run a hose into them. They have a screw cap on top, don't they?My guess would be that you have diluted the chemical enough to be ok. Of course I'm from the old school where you did what you had to, not what was always politically or environmentally correct. One of my three containers had the top completely cut off and I catch garage runoff in it. I cut a small hole near the bottom and screwed in a small tap that I can turn on/off to let the water out. Gets a little scummy if I leave it too long but we get regular rain so I don't have to leave water in it too long.

Kris, Let's see if somebody will start a new thread - but you can read all about the SBC product at the link below. What do you use to catch rainwater off your shed? Are you really limited to shed roof for runoff? The ground is the best source of rainwater catchment, particularly if you have a low-lying area of ground that holds water after a rain event. Digging a hole in the ground and installing a liner of any type is still the most efficient and cost-effective method. Robert Here is a link that might be useful: Quikwall SBC Info

So how did you acquire these drums, were they a "sold" item and "some sort of chemical insulation"...that leaves a wide open thinking of what chemical is being discussed and how long has the drum been free of the chemical. So when we discuss the word 'chemical', that takes in a whole lot of possibilities and many that are not harmful to anybody or anything. "Water" is a chemical"....."air" is a chemical"...."nitrogen" a very good friend of gardeners is a chemical. So what chemical was in the drum? What use of said drum do you have in mind. Such drums make a fine furnace to burn refuse. They can be used as a compost bin if you cut a door in the bottom so that you can remove the contents. What would a fire, made by adding kindling to the drum, do for what chemical was in it and be possibly hanging on to the interior walls. Before going to extremes of washing, find out what chemical was in it and what possible affects it would have on what you have in mind for its use.

I get plastic 55 gallon drums and 5 gallon buckets from the carwash free. I was however wondering if they can hold up to a hard freeze with water in them. I'm usually out of rain water by fall though so haven't had to worry about it so far. I've seen smaller steel drums full of water burst from a hard freeze. I would think the plastic would flex more but maybe not when cold or brittle from age and UV exposure.