How to Set up a Rain Barrel

A plastic food-grade barrel can help meet your water needs.

Save money on your summer water bill by taking advantage of the spring rainy season. A rain barrel -- better yet, two -- can store water runoff from your roof to put to work in the garden when Mother Nature is not so generous with the precipitation. Gardeners in communities that frequently experience outdoor watering bans, may want to invest their time -- and a couple of bucks -- in creating a rain barrel.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• 55-gallon drum
• Plastic connector pipe
• Drill
• 7/8-inch bit
• Jigsaw
• Hacksaw
• 3/4-inch metal threaded faucet fitting with threaded tap
• 1-inch flat washer
• 3/4-inch rubber washer
• PVC cement

1. Thoroughly clean a 55-gallon, plastic barrel.

2. Cut a hole in the top of the barrel with a jigsaw. Use a drill to start the hole, if there isn't one in the lid already, then move to the jigsaw. The hole should be just large enough to fit the downspout that runs from your gutter, down the side of the house. Generally, you remove a portion of the downspout, so it ends at the top of your rain barrel. A flexible connector or elbow may be necessary to get the upright end of the downspout into the hole on the barrel

3. Cut a small hole in the upper edge of the barrel to divert overflow from the barrel. This can be left as is, or connected to a short hose that leads to another barrel. It's not unusual to have two or three connected barrels in line.

4. Cut a hole with the 5/16-inch drill bit 2 inches up from the bottom of the drum, in what will be its front side.

5. Put the 1-inch metal washer and the 3/4-inch rubber washer onto the threads at the back of the faucet.

6. Twist the faucet assembly part of the way into the hole at the bottom of the barrel, it should be a tight fit.

7. Brush the PVC cement onto the remaining exposed threads of the faucet. Twist the faucet the rest of the way in. Make sure the tap is facing down as you finish.

8. Put barrel in place under the downspout. You may want to place the barrel on a wood or metal stand. Cinder blocks also work well. If you cut the opening for your downspout too wide, or you're using a barrel with no top, add a filter in place to keep out leaves. A plastic filter can be purchased in the same aisle at the hardware store where you would find PVC pipe, and can be attached with the PVC adhesive.

9. Close the bottom faucet.

Tips & Warnings

• Attach a faucet to the top hole if you are going to connect additional barrels.

• You can attach a hose to the bottom faucet to make getting the water to your garden easier.

• Barrels can be painted with universal spray paint to make them blend into your landscape.

• Ensure the top of the barrel is childproof.

References

• University of Florida Hillsborough Extension: How to Make a Rain Barrel
• Washington State University Whatcom Extension: Tools and Materials Needed to Make Your Rainbarrel