Do it Yourself Rain Barrel

barrel image by Andrew Kazmierski from Fotolia.com

Rain barrels are useful tools for creating a treated water supply at places like remote, private campgrounds and isolated cabins. Rain barrels sited in elevated locations, such as on a cabin roof, can even supply limited running water using only gravity. Building a do-it-yourself rain barrel is a simple task, and requires only a few basic tools that any enterprising home improvement buff should already have.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

55-gallon plastic barrel
Plastic bucket or flowerpot
Drill
Jigsaw
Marker
Measuring tape
3/4-inch spigot
Teflon tape
3/4" female pipe coupling
Rubber washers
3/4" barb fitting
Hose fitting
Hose
Plastic or fiberglass window screen
Silicon caulk
Caulking gun

Step 1

Measure and cut a hole in the top of the 55-gallon barrel, sized to admit the bottom of a plastic bucket or flowerpot, using the measuring tape, marker, drill and jigsaw. Slide the bucket or flowerpot into place. The handle lugs on the bucket or rim of the flowerpot will prevent it from sliding completely into the barrel.

Step 2

Drill a 3/4-inch to 1-inch hole in the bottom of the bucket or flowerpot.

Step 3

Drill a 3/4-inch hole in the side of the barrel, close to the barrel bottom, for the spigot. Drill a second 3/4-inch hole in the side of the barrel, but this time near the top rim, for the overflow hole.

Step 4

Hold a 3/4" female pipe coupling with a rubber washer inside the barrel and against the spigot hole. Wrap Teflon tape around the spigot's screw threads, and screw the spigot into the pipe coupling until the assembly is firmly secured into place. You may need an extra pair of hands to accomplish this.

Step 5

Slide a 3/4" barb fitting through the overflow hole. Place a rubber washer over the barb fitting, wrap the barb fitting teeth with Teflon tape, and then screw a hose fitting onto the barb fitting. Screw on a rubber hose and lead it away from the cabin foundations or from the campsite.

Step 6

Attach a fine plastic or fiberglass window screen onto the top of the bucket or flowerpot. This will keep insects and debris out of your rain barrel.

Step 7

Apply silicon caulk around the seams of the inside fittings for the spigot and overflow hole. This is just in case the rubber washers do not provide an adequate seal. If you are in an area where you need a rain barrel, you will likely not have the almost 55 gallons of water needed to check the overflow hole.

Step 8

Move the rain barrel to a location where it will collect plenty of water, such as under a cabin roof drain spout.

Article Written By Edwin Thomas

Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.

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