How to Hook Up Rain Barrels

Collect rain water.

Rain barrels allow you to collect the rain run-off from your roof to use for lawn and garden irrigation. Whether you are using a purchased rain barrel or making your own, it must be hooked into your rain gutter system in order to collect water properly. Rain barrels hook up to the down spout of your gutter. When done correctly, this causes no damage to your gutter system and is easy to undo for a return to your prior set-up, if and when you decide to remove the rain barrel.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic down spout extender
• Metal bracket
• Plastic zip-tie
• Permanent marker
• Drill
• Jig saw
• Waterproof caulk

Instructions

1. Remove the down spout from the gutter. Use care to prevent dislodging the gutter itself. Look for securing pins that you may need to remove first. Otherwise, just pull the down spout off. Most down spouts are friction-fitted or held on with pins.

2. Place a plastic down spout extender onto the gutter. Reattach the pins, if applicable, or friction-fit it. Use a metal bracket or plastic zip-tie to hold it in place if the connection doesn't feel secure.

3. Place the end of the extender on top of the barrel. Trace around it with a permanent marker to outline the hole you will cut out.

4. Drill a hole in each corner of the traced opening. Insert a jig saw through one of the holes and cut out the opening.

5. Insert the down spout extender into the hole. Caulk around it with waterproof caulking to hold it in place and prevent insects from infesting the rain barrel.

Tips & Warnings

• Some barrel or drums already have a small opening on top. Enlarge this to fit your down spout extender.

• Set the barrel on top of concrete blocks. The added height adds to the water pressure when you empty it.

• Wear safety glasses when cutting the barrel.

• Some down spout systems are attached to the gutter permanently. Use a hack saw to carefully cut off this type of down spout.

References

• University of Florida: How To Construct A Rain Barrel