Rain barrel

We have wanted a rain barrel for quite some time.  Recently, we ran across a blue industrial barrel from a friend who intended to make a rain barrel but had abandoned those plans.  She gave it to us for free.  After about $30 in parts we have a functioning barrel that will provide us with 55 gallons of free rainwater. Follow along for a run through of the process I used to create our barrel.

We started with a 55 gallon blue industrial barrel.  The barrel had a closed top with two screw in ports.  To begin, I purchased a 4" round plastic grate from the outdoor plumbing area at Lowes for $2.76.  I cut out one of the screw in ports and placed the grate in it's place. A hole saw or jig saw can be used for this.  This grate will keep filter out large items such as leaves and sticks that work their way through the guttering.

The next step was to install the spigot.  I purchased a 3/4" hose bibb ($5.56) along with a 3/4" washer ($1.96) and some gutter sealant ($4.28).  I used a hole saw to drill the appropriate sized hole for the bibb to screw into.  The plastic on the barrel is very thick and once the hole was drilled, it was pretty easy to thread the bibb into the plastic. I gooped up the threads and washer with gutter seal and screwed it into place.

Next, I needed to come up with an overflow tube.  I used a barbed fitting for hose with a 5/8" ID.  The fitting is brass and has 3/4" threads on one end and 5/8" barbed on the other.  I screwed this into the upper portion of the barrel in the same manner as the spigot. I used 5/8" clear vinyl tubing for the hose.  5 feet of it cost me $2.35.

Overflow fitting with tubing

Landscape fabric staple holding tubing in place

 Since the water is under no pressure, it is sufficient to just push the tubing over the barbed end of the fitting.  No clamp is necessary.  I positioned the tubing where I wanted it on the ground and used some landscaping fabric staples to  hold it in place.  When the barrel reaches capacity, the water will flow from the overflow tube and away from the foundation of the garage.







The final step in the process was cutting the existing downspout to length and adding a flexible extension onto the end.  I also used a regular aluminum elbow in order to get the downspout to sit directly over the grate on the barrel.  Now as the rain flows from the roof, it will be directed right into the barrel.  The spigot I selected is threaded to accept a garden hose.  We intend to connect a hose to our barrel for purposes of watering our vegetable garden.  Please remember that rainwater captured from a roof is not good for drinking.  Not pictured here is the pantyhose material that is stretched over the grate.  This will prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the water.  For winter I will empty the barrel of water and store it in the garage.  I saved the cut off section of downspout and I will attach it to the flex fitting so that any winter snow can melt and run away from the foundation.