Materials
1 - 55 gallon polyethylene plastic Juice or Soda Drink barre1
1 - 10 foot length of 2 inch PVC
pipe
1 - 2 inch PVC elbow 1 - 2 inch
female threaded by 2 inch PVC elbow
1 - 2 inch male threaded by 2
inch pipe adapter 1 -Bulkhead fitting
1 - 3/4 inch Plastic faucet
1 - 1 foot by 2 foot piece of
old or new screen fabric
1 - 1gallon plastic
bucket, tub or flowerpot 4 - cinder blocks Optional - paint to match your
house color
Tools
Jig Saw Power Drill with 3/4 inch Spade Bit
Scissors
Pipe Wrench
Pump Pliers Screw Driver Hack
Saw Tape Measure
Instructions
Step 1 - Inflow - Cut a hole in the top of barrel to allow rainwater to
enter the barrel and to access the inside of the barrel. The hole should be
just large enough to snugly fit the 1gallon plastic bucket, tub or
flowerpot. The bucket will be used to support a screen to keep mosquitoes
and debris out. Cut a 3/4 inch holes in the bucket.
Step 2 - Spigot - Drill a 3/4 inch hole close to bottom of the 55 gallon
barrrel . Install one bulkhead fitting. Then Install Plastic water faucet or
flowrite faucet. Donot use brass fittings.
Note: A brass fitting or faucet will cause the plastic to crack as the
weather changes, also do not install a faucet without a bulkhead fitting as
the barrel will leak after a month of turning on and off the faucet.
Step 3 - Down Spout Modification Prepare the area under the down spout
where you want to install the rain barrel. Remove the old down spout and
splash block and level the area where the barrel will sit. Place the
concrete blocks so they are sloped slightly downward away from the house.
Set the barrel on the blocks. With a hacksaw cut the down spout so it is
just long enough to fit into the bucket on top of the rain barrel.
Step 4 - Overflow - You should provide an overflow for water if the barrel
fills to the top. With a jig saw, cut a hole in the side of the barrel large
enough to fit the 2 inch male threaded by 2 inch pipe adapter. Place this
fitting inside the barrel and thread it into the 2 inch female threaded by 2
inch PVC elbow on the outside of the barrel. Seal with silicone. Cut a
length of 2 inch PVC pipe long enough to reach the ground. Attach a 2 inch
PVC elbow to the bottom of this pipe and cut another length of 2 inch pipe
to connect to a splash block.
Don't drill the hole too far down inside the barrel where you can't reach it
from the access hole on top (or else you may need the help of a friend with
very long arms)!
Best Solution!! Buy a Rain Barrel
Pre-made from us and don't worry about
leaks. Please call if you have any questions.
