Making a Rain Barrel at Home

Transcription

1 Making a Rain Barrel at Home This is a step by step guide to making your own rain barrels. Constructing a rain barrel is a pretty simple project that helps conserve water and protects the environment. One trip to your local hardware store and an afternoon is all you will need. Lets get to work: Tools You Will Need Drill Saber Saw 15/16 Drill Bit 1/4 and 1/16 Drill Bit Screw or Nut Driver Caulk Gun Scissors Marker Tape Measure Utility Knife Supplies You Will Need Barrel or Trash Can Flexible Downspout Adaptor

2 3/4 inch Sillcock Spigot 3/4 inch Galvanized Close Nipple Tube Silicone II Caulk Teflon Tape Downspout connector #7 and #8 by 1/2 inch Sheet metal screws 36 x 36 and 5 x 5 inch Bungee Cord or Rope Squares of Fiberglass Window Screen 1) Barrel preparation On the lid of the garbage can or top of the barrel trace a line around the Flexible Downspout Adaptor. Use the 1/4 inch drill bit to cut a small hole in which to insert the saber saw blade. Cut a square hole with the saber saw (utility knife for softer plastics) using the marked line as a guide. Make sure the Flexible Downspout Adaptor fits into the hole. Clean of burs and straighten the edges with a utility knife. If necessary, rinse barrel out where rinse water will be captured and treated (such as a car wash, not the storm drain). 2) Spigot assembly Apply 3 to 4 wraps of the Teflon tape to the one end of the 3/4 inch nipple s threads and screw into back of 3/4 inch sillcock.

3 Measure 3 inches from the bottom of the can and make a mark. This mark will be the location for your spigot. Use the 15/16 inch drill bit to drill a hole in the barrel at the mark. (make sure you are drilling slowing and straight to make a perfect hole). After the hole is drilled take the assemble spigot and nipple and begin to thread it through the can (the metal thread should be able to make threads in the plastic). Keep turning until the spigot is upright and close to the can. Use the 1/16 inch drill bit to drill a hole in each indent of the spigots rim (these holes are pilot hoses for sheet metal screws. Carefully unscrew the spigot and nipple all the way out of the can. Apply 3 to 4 wraps of Teflon tape from the first wraps all the way to the middle of the nipple. Apply a generous amount of caulk to the back of the spigot and on to the threads next to the spigot (make sure the back of the spigot is well covered) Screw the spigot and nipple into the can until the spigot is upright and snug against the can (you can see the pilot holes line those with the indentations on the spigot). Excess caulk should ooze out around the edges of the assembly. Screw into a #8 Sheet Metal Screw into each hole (make sure the screw head is just snug to the spigot) Apply a small amount of caulk over the two screw heads. Use your finger to push the caulk around the screws and smooth around the spigot. On the inside of the can apply a large mount of caulk on the top of the nipple (make sure this will be enough to surround the whole nipple and the screw tips. Use your fingers to push and smooth the caulk around the nipple and the whole in the can.

4 3) Overflow assembly Get ready to place the Down Spout Starter about 1 inch down from the top and offset from the spigot (not directly over). Mark two spots. Use the 15/16 drill bit to drill holes of the to marked spots. Cut a 5 x 5 inch square piece of Window Screen Apply bead of caulk around the back of the base of the Down Spout Starter adapter. Hold the 5 x 5 inch Window Screen Square over the two holes. Push the Down Spout Starter against the can, so the holes are in the middle of the Down Spout Starter, and the 5 x 5 inch Window Screen Square is sandwiched between the can and the Down Spout Starter. Screw #7 Sheet Metal Screws into the holes at the base through the can (the first two screws should be at opposite corners). Careful the Screws will be poking through the other side (you may want to take a nipper and cut off the sharp tips). 4) Screen assembly Place the 36 x 36 inch square Window Screen centered over the top of the can. Tie rope or bungee around the can and screen.

5 You are the proud owner of a rain barrel. Additional Information: Installation: Place the barrel on top of a couple cement blocks in order to allow the gravity fed water to reach the entire yard. Remove a section of the downspout high enough to angle at the Flexible Downspout Adaptor and attach it to the barrel. Attach another length of downspout to the overflow so that the overflow empties away from the foundation. Maintenance: Rain barrels require little maintenance. Remove debris from the top screen, particularly in the fall, and occasionally check the overflow hose for clogs. To physically prevent mosquitoes from utilizing your barrel as a breeding habitat, Keep the piece of screen secured around barrel opening, and patch holes as needed Empty your barrel once a week to prevent mosquito larva from fully developing. This task may not be as important if you know the screen is secure and working properly. In cold weather, take your rain barrel out of operation. Store upside down so it will fully drain and remain relatively clean. Downspouts may be reattached to divert winter precipitation. Connecting to Other Barrels: Purchase two 3/4 inch X 5/8 inch barb to MIP adapter and a length of garden hose. Install the barb to MIP adapters 3 inches from the bottom just like you did with the Spigot and Nipple. Then attach the hose. Repeat the steps until you have enough rain barrels.