How To Make A Rain Barrel
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"Subvert the dominant paradigm and harvest the rain." -Dan Borba |
List of Materials
Generally all but the barrel can be purchased at McLendon Hardware, Lowe's, or Home Depot.
The Barrel
The barrel should be food clean with a removable lid for cleaning and assembling. Barrels come in various sizes with the most common being 60 gallons. For a heavy duty plastic barrel like these, try Walt at Milton General Supply at (253) 922-0897 or me, Dan Borba at (253) 272-8173 or email at naturalrainwater@yahoo.com. Something as thin as a Rubbermaid trash can might work but not quite as well. Some local hardware stores may occasionally carry good barrels.
The Spigot & Hardware
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You'll need a ¾" hose bib spigot (1/2" will work too but with smaller locknut and washer). These have male threads at one end to screw into the barrel and at the other to attach a standard size hose. You'll also need a ¾" galvanized locknut (McLendon's has these), a rubber washer with a 1" inner diameter, Teflon tape, superglue and silicone. |
The Overflow Valve & Hardware
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You'll need a ¾" brass overflow valve which, like the spigot, has male threads on either end with the outer end able to connect with the female end of a hose (plastic will work too). These are called "male hose MIP adapter ¾ x ¾ x ½" at Lowe's and #A-665 at Home Depot. You'll also need the locknut, rubber washer, Teflon tape, superglue, and silicone. |
Tools
- Drill
- 1" hole saw or drill bit (use 15/16" for very secure fit)
- Utility knife
- Needle nose pliers or wrench
- Vegetable oil and cloth
- Screw driver and ½ dozen screws (see #14)
- Meshscreen for top filter
Making Your Very Own Catchment System (a.k.a. Rain Barrel)
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- Clean and rinse your food clean container with a mild soap and water (rainwater if you've got any yet)
- Drill a 1" hole with your hole saw or drill bit, just off the bottom of the container for the spigot assembly. I put mine as low as possible to maximize easy water use. It's designed to be used with a stand. I use four cinder blocks. Note: If you are unable to reach down to the inside bottom of the barrel, you might want to use a 15/16" bit and put the washer on the outside of the barrel.
- Drill a 1" hole an inch or so below the rim for your overflow valve assembly. This hole can go anywhere around the barrel at that latitude. Keep in mind: don't put it too close to the top (overflow) or too low (lose water storage). I recommend you put the hole an inch/inch ½ from the lid. Please note: if you've got a 2,000 square feet roof and those large downspouts, you may want to get a larger overflow valve.
- Use that 1" bit to drill a dozen or so holes in the lid. Rainwater will filter through meshscreen then through holes into barrel.
- Take utility knife to clean scraps around holes.
- Wrap the barrel end of the spigot three times around with Teflon tape and then screw in the spigot squarely. It should go by hand.
- Take the rubber washer and glue the surface of one side with a stong glue and reach into the barrel and work it over the threads. Flush with the barrel.
- Screw on the locknut and finish tightening by turning the spigot while holding the locknut with a wrench or needle nose pliers. You may need a second person to turn while you hold or vice versa). Authors note: I love needle nose pliers!
- Wrap the longer end of the overflow valve with Teflon tape three times and then screw it into the overflow hole by hand or by using a wrench or pliers if necessary. The outside male threads should be able to connect with a standard size hose to divert the overflow.
- Repeat #7
- Screw on the locknut as far as possible by hand, then hold locknut while tightening overflow valve with pliers/wrench until it flies out of your hand or is very tight.
- Take a tube of all-purpose silicone "goop" and apply a bead where overflow valve meets the outside of the barrel. Note: I do this as an added sealant. It may not even be necessary.
- Take a tube of all-purpose silicone "goop" and apply where the spigot meets the barrel. Follow drying time directions from the silicone tube.
- Trace the outline of the lid on a mesh fiberglass screen and then cut it out. Screw on, if necessary, or just tighten ring around cap to secure. This screen is designed to keep mosquitoes out.
- Finally, take a rag and some cheap vegetable oil, and apply it to the scratched areas of the barrel. It really shines it up
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Now, you're ready to install!
Don't worry. If you make a hole for the spigot and overflow valve, you're most of the way there.
Websites On How To Make A Rain Barrel:
http://www.cityofbremerton.com/content/sw_makeyourownrainbarrel.html
www.gardengatemagazine.com/tips/40tip11.html
www.suite101.com/article.cfm/1173/23344
Other Rain Barrel Sites:
http://www.cityfarmer.org/rainbarrel72.html
A Good Place To Find Rain Barrels:
- Kitsap Lumber-True Value Hardware
450 S National Ave Bremerton
WA 98312
(360) 479-4414
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