Install a How to Make a Rain Barrel

Did you know the average roof You can help reduce the amount of You will need the following materials to make a rain barrel: sheds tens of thousands of entering the sewer system by • 55- barrel (smaller or larger • Splash guard capturing some of that water on your of water each year? ones can be used) • Old bicycle , cut 1/2" wide property by installing a rain barrel. A rainfall of one inch can produce • Skimmer basket or plastic plant pot and about 38” long more than 700 gallons of runoff from A rain barrel is a that collects (about 9 inches outer diameter) • Gutter screws a typical house. and stores rainwater from downspouts • Fiberglass window screen • Utility knife and rooftops, allowing you to water Where does the water go? • Silicone sealant • Drill bits: 1/2", 1", 1-1/2" your plants and yard in the dry summer Most of the rainwater runoff from • Discharge hose, about 1-1/4" • Hand drill months. your property enters the sewer system. diameter, such as for a washing • Screwdriver set Generally, a rain barrel is made using The sewer system, however, was not machine, about 3 feet long • Pencil or marking tool a 55-gallon barrel and some equipment designed to handle large amounts of • Washing machine fitting, male • Jigsaw or reciprocating saw that you can find at most hardware rainwater. and female ends with blades and home improvement stores. • Spigot, 3/4" (plastic or brass) • Caulking gun How to Make a Rain Barrel How to Make a Rain Barrel

1. Top Hole and Basket 3. Bottom Drain • Use the skimmer basket or plant pot to • Mark a hole about 2” from the bottom trace a template on top of barrel. of the rain barrel, tracing the spigot fixture. • Pre-drill a small hole using a 1" spade The opposite side of the barrel from the skimmer bit; drill inside the marked area. basket location is best or on either side depending on rain barrel placement. • Use a jigsaw to cut out the pattern • Use the 1” drill bit to drill a hole where you following the inside line. made the mark. • Cut the fiberglass screen to fit the • Screw plastic or brass spigot into the hole. Use a skimmer basket, plus 2" on each side. utility knife, as needed, to increase the hole size. • Affix the screen to lip of basket using • Optional: Remove the spigot and place Teflon the bicycle tube piece like a rubber band. tape over the threads; replace the spigot. 2. Upper Overflow Drain • Place spigot back into the hole. Use the silicone • Mark a hole approximately 2" sealant to seal around the spigot on the threads from the top of the rain barrel, when the spigot is almost in place. tracing the plastic fitting. 4. Attach Hoses • Use the 1-1/2" spade bit (or one the • Place the skimmer basket over the hole on top same size as the fitting) to drill of the rain barrel. a hole where you made the mark. • Attach the 3-foot 1-1/4” diameter discharge Your power to protect our waterways • Screw the plastic fitting into the hole. hose to the upper overflow drain. increases when rain barrels are used Use a utility knife as needed • Secure the discharge hose with a hose clamp, with other water quality protection to increase the size of the hole. if needed. activities, such as installing rain gardens, • Use silicone sealant around the • Screw your garden hose to the spigot in the picking up after pets and using lawn fitting on the outside of the barrel, bottom drain. chemicals wisely. as needed. Allow the sealant to dry. 5. Final Steps • Build a base out of cinder blocks, bricks, decorative stones or railroad ties to elevate the rain barrel to create water pressure. • Adjust the downspout from the building to flow into the skimmer basket at the top of the rain barrel. • Make sure the overflow discharge hose is allowed to drain away from the building.