How to build a Rain Barrel
Written By:
Donna Gilmore
NAHB CGP
NAHB Accredited Verifier
With all the Rain that we have been having these days building a rain barrel or buying one already made is an excellent way to both save water and reduce you PSD water bill.
Residential water use increases 40 to 50% during summer months due to outdoor water use.
Stormwater runoff is the leading type of residential non-point source pollution.
A rain barrel collects and stores rainwater from rooftops to use later for lawn and garden watering. Water collected in a rain barrel would normally pour off your roof directly or flow through roof gutter downspouts and become stormwater runoff. Depending on your yard, this runoff can travel onto paved surfaces and eventually into a storm drain.
Rain barrels conserve water and help lower costs (a rain barrel can save approximately 1,300 gallons of water during peak summer months).Rain barrels reduce water pollution by reducing stormwater runoff, which can contain pollutants like sediment, oil, grease, bacteria and nutrients.Rain barrels are inexpensive and easy to build and install.
A rain barrel can be used to save water for plants during dry periods. Rain barrels can also be arranged to slowly release the collected rain fall to areas that can soak up the water, reducing stormwater runoff and increasing groundwater recharge 54 gallon, green plastic rain barrel with screened cover and outlet hose. Also comes with overflow hose and linking kit to connect a set of two.
Operation and Maintenance
Rain barrels should be drained and removed for the winter months to prevent ice damage. It is recommended that you remove the existing downspout and elbow intact and store for reinstallation in the late fall. You can then add another downspout section that will need to be custom cut to an appropriate height above your rain barrel. Two, connected downspout elbows (forming an S shape) or hinged extension should sit about two inches above the rain barrel inlet hole. Fine mesh screen should be used to cover any openings in the rain barrel to prevent mosquitoes and to trap debris. Rain barrels can be installed upon blocks or wooden crate to provide height for gravity flow purposes.
I purchased 2 rain barrels at Home Depot for $79 (On Sale). We installed them in a couple hours and they allow us to keep our garden watered without using our sprinkler system.
For our vegetable garden I installed a timer and a dripper hose.
Rain barrels are a great way to reduce stormwater runoff and to save water for a dry spell. If you have gutters on your house, you may be able to collect 55 gallons of water during a ½ inch rain by directing a downspout to a rain barrel or cistern.
Manufactures' Description:
* Rotational molded, holds 58 gallons
* Highly decorative, nestable barrel
* Includes diverter kit and spigot
* Threaded spigot connects to garden hoses
* MFG Brand Name : Fiskars
* MFG Model # : 5998
* MFG Part # : 59987935
"Every gardener knows that the key to a successful growing season is water, water, and more water. But with droughts and shortages hitting parts of the U.S. and Canada, keeping flowers flourishing and the veggie patch productive can be a costly proposition. The Fiskars Rainwater Harvesting System can help you salvage this valuable resource, so you can use it to provide much needed moisture for your yard, garden, and even indoor plants. Designed to easily integrate into your home’s existing downspouts, the Harvesting System diverts rainwater from gutters into a covered barrel, where the extra water is stored until you need it to perk up your tomatoes or refresh your rose bushes. Add a Rainwater Harvesting System to your home and keep your plants healthy and hydrated through any water restrictions or drought. Even more important, feel good knowing that you’re conserving a critical natural resource that you and your garden so greatly depend on."
Build Your Rain Barrel:
* Tools
* Supplies
* Instructions
TOOLS:
* Electric Drill
* Drill bit ½-inch to 1-inch
* Drill bit 3/16-inch
* Drill bit 1/8-inch
* Jigsaw
* Marking pen
* Phillips screw driver
* Pocket knife
* Work-bench
* Extension cord
* Safety glasses
SUPPLIES:
Plastic drum (55 gal. is best). Barrels that have carried food products are recommended. Some cleaning product barrels are OK after rinsing. Do NOT use petroleum or toxic chemical barrels.
The following are all PVC fittings:
* Two-inch male adapter
* Two-inch male slip x 3/4-inch female threaded adapter
* 3/4-inch male threaded x 3/4-inch female threaded elbow (3/4 inch street el)
* Four inch long 3/4-inch threaded nipple
The following can be either metal or plastic:
* 3/4-inch female sillcock or hose bibb
* PVC cement
* Teflon™ tape or Teflon™ pipe joint compound
* Silicone sealant
* Three stainless steel sheet metal screws #10 x 3/4 inch
* Stainless steel mesh with plastic rim kitchen strainer (4 to 6 inch diameter)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1.Turn the barrel so that the end with no openings is facing up.
2.Fit the strainer on the end which is facing up so that it lays flat.
3.Mark around the perimeter of the strainer, remove strainer and draw another line about ½ inch inside the perimeter line.
4.Drill a pilot hole using the large bit just inside the inner drawn circle.
5.Using the saber saw follow the inner circle line until the circle is removed. Remove the circle if it has fallen into the barrel. This is a good time to make sure the barrel is clean inside.
6.Drill pilot holes in the strainer flanges and handle using the 3/16-inch bit. Place the strainer on the barrel and mark the hole locations on the barrel.
7.Drill pilot holes in the barrel using the 1/8-inch bit.
8.Partially screw into the strainer the #10 screws. Check to make sure the strainer holes match the barrel holes.
9.Apply silicone sealant to the strainer rim and place the strainer into position. Tighten screws until just snug. (Pat yourself on the back, you have just completed the first part of the barrel).
10.Place the barrel on its side. Unscrew one of the plastic filler plugs in the other end of the barrel.
11.Apply PVC cement to the two-inch male adapter sleeve and place the two-inch male x 3/4-inch female threaded adapter inside and press together for a few seconds.
12.Insert street el into the 3/4-inch hole of the adapter. Use teflon tape or sealant on all threaded parts.
13.Insert 4 inch nipple into street el.
14.Screw assembly into barrel. Four-inch nipple will work as a wrench to tighten first two fittings.
15.Connect water faucet to 4-inch nipple. Hand-tighten to proper position.
16.Place barrel on level, sturdy base. Direct downspout over the strainer. (Hooray, you now have a functioning rain barrel).
Diagram of Rain Barrel
Leave 4" or larger air gap between down spout and strainer (if screening water).
Mount rain barrel as high as practical to use gravity to increase pressure.
Posted in: on Sunday, August 16, 2009 at at 11:51 AM
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