How to Make a Rain Barrel

Rain provides us with the purest form of water. However, most of us do not make use of this water, except from the rare soaking in the monsoons. In today’s world of high consumption levels, it is a very good idea to save rainwater and use it later, for numerous purposes. Rain barrel, also known as rainwater tank, is one of the perfect ways to collect and store rainwater for the hot and dry months of the summer season. Not only is it very useful, but can also be made at home, quickly and easily. Also, it will save some water from flowing down the drain and help you start your own water conservation system. The collected water can be effectively used in containers, houseplants, gardens, and lawn. Do you want to get some tips for building a homemade rain barrel? If your answer is yes, read on further and get complete instructions for making a rain barrel.

Instructions For Making Rain Barrel

Materials Required:

A large, food quality, Plastic Barrel
Adaptors and Couplings
Drill
Screws
Plumber’s Tape
PVC Pipe
Spigot
Garden Hose
Window Screening
Hose Clamp
Elbow Section
Metal Screen
Downspout
Overflow Pipe

Instructions

First of all, you need to go to the market and buy a plastic storage barrel, capable of storing 40-55 gallons. You can also buy any waterproof container.
Remove the lid and drill a hole using a large ¾-inch drill bit.
Leaving about 1-2 inches on the top, drill a second hole along the side of the container.
Flip over the barrel and drill a third hole on its base.
Measure the distance between the hole at the base and the outer edge of the barrel. Thereafter, calculate the number of pipe adaptors (male) and couplings (female) you’ll need.
While attaching the pipe adaptors together, ensure that they are watertight sealed, by securing them with plumber’s tape.
Attach the sections together using screws, making sure that they are tightly secured.
Fasten a curved coupling to the hole created at the base of the barrel and connect it with the other pipe adaptors.
Affix a spigot at the end of the attached pipe section, which will help in controlling the release and flow of the water so stored.
Attach a small piece of PVC pipe through the hole drilled on the side of the barrel.
Once done, connect the pipe with the spigot. Also, affix a garden hose to the spigot.
Cut out a piece of window screening, larger than the PVC coupling and secure it to the pipe using a hose clamp. This will create a water collection funnel.
Secure the cap of the barrel and slide in the pipe through the large hole drilled.
The rain barrel should be placed on a leveled ground so that it stays stable when it’s filled with rain water.
Stack cinderblocks on the ground and place the rain barrel on them, to keep it raised from the soil. Also, this will create space for the spigot attached the base of the barrel and a watering can to use the collected rainwater.
Measure and cut out an elbow section. Attach it about 1-2 inches above the barrel along the drain, fitting its base with the metal screen.
Covering the metal screen with a pad will lower the sound of the rain striking the metal.
You can close the downspout to stop the flow of water to the barrel, once the barrel gets completely filled.
Most rain barrels have a capacity of holding just 55 gallons of water. As such, you can increase the quantity of rainwater to be stored by adding more barrels and redirecting the flow of surplus water.
Finally, while installing the water barrel, add an overflow pipe pointed away from your home’s foundation, to let the excess water escape outside, rather than overflowing and adding to your burden.
Make sure that your rain barrel is covered all the time to avoid kids and animals from falling into it and protecting mosquitoes from breeding and exploding.

These detailed and easy-to-follow instructions for building your own water barrel can help you save lots of water for the next rainfall and summer season.

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How To Make A Rain Barrel

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