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How To Make A Rain Barrel

CAUTION:

  • DO NOT USE ANY CONTAINER WHICH HAS PREVIOUSLY HELD CHEMICALS OR PETROLEUM PRODUCTS. EVEN TRACE AMOUNTS OF THESE SUBSTANCES MAY BE TOXIC TO PLANTS.
  • DO SCREEN OR COVER ALL ACCESS POINTS TO AND FROM BARREL TO PREVENT BREEDING MOSQUITOES, WHICH CAN CARRY WEST NILE VIRUS.

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Materials List:

55-gallon barrel with closed top or 30- to 44-gallon heavy duty plastic trash can
2 cinder blocks
2 square foot wire mesh or air filtration material
waterproof sealant (silicon, caulking - I use SeaBond)
2 small straight PVC pipes
2 elbow (joiner) pipes
1 spigot
1 flexible connector arm

Tools: Staple gun, hacksaw, hammer, awl
Mosquito netting or screening for all openings, and for top if container does not have a mosquito-tight lid.

Preparations:
1. Level barrel onto two cinder blocks.
2. Disconnect down spout and cut.
Assembly: (Refer to the diagram below)
1. Spout attachment:
  a. Trace perimeter of flexible connector.
  b. Cut out pattern
  c. Connect flexible connector
2. Filtering system:
  a. Lay mesh over opening. Insert connector arm. Press down.
  b. Attach mesh to top of barrel
3. Overflow system:
  a. Coat one end each of straight pipes with waterproof silicon. Connect to elbow pipes, forming S shape.
  b. On same side as downspout, trace perimeter of PVC about one foot from top. Cut hole.
  c. Insert pipe system into barrel
  d. Seal opening with silicon or caulk.
4. Spigot attachment:
  a. Drill hole 7/16" in diameter.
  b. Coat threads of spigot. Screw into opening.

Written by Kelly Culbert, Perm. State Master Gardener. April 2002

diagram of a rain barrel

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