With a homemade rain barrel, you can store rain and use it in your home and garden. You get to save money over the long term.
Here are the things you’ll need to make one.
Required Tools and Materials
- 2 brass faucets
- Epoxy
- Food-grade plastic barrel (35 gallons)
- Saber saw
- Hoses
- Silicon caulking
- Drill
- Some lumber
- Dish soap
- Chlorine bleach
- Vinegar
- Water
- Screen
Instructions
Use the chlorine bleach to clean the barrel. You can also clean it with vinegar or water. Next, make a 6-inch hole in the barrel’s cover lid. Use the driller and saw for this task.
Secure the window screen onto this hole with the glue. Make sure the opening is fully covered.
Continue making this homemade rain barrel by making a ¾ inch hole 4 inches around the bottom.
Move the barrel a quarter and make another hole. This should be 5/8 inches wide and 4 inches at the top.
Set the faucets in these holes. Put the silicon caulking at the foundation of each tap.
Setting up the Structure
Get some lumber and make a box shape. Place this near the downspout of the rain gutter.
Take off the elbow from the downspout. Use the saw to cut the downspout.
Make it short enough so it culminates at the top of the barrel. Put the elbow back in place.
This helps the homemade rain barrel work because the water now goes into the hole.
Connecting the Hose
Get the hose and link it to the barrel. Use this to manage the water flow.
Connect another hose to the faucet. Set this up 3 feet away as this will be used for the overflow.
Tips
The plastic barrel can be purchased in recycling centers. These can also be bought in food processing centers. You might also find some in restaurants and eateries.
When cleaning the barrel you can also use sterilizing powder with water. These are available at stores.
When the homemade rain barrel is full, you can take the water and use it. Rainwater can be used for watering plants.
These also work for indoor-bred greens. To get more water, you can link up several barrels. Get a hose and connect them to the overflow openings.
Position affects the pressure of the water in the barrel. The higher it is, the more pressure is created. This can make it useful for irrigation.
Warnings
Rainwater is useful for gardening, but you shouldn’t drink it. Neither should it be used when cooking. Make sure the barrel lid is closed so small animals don’t get in.
Regularly check the barrel for any holes or leaks. Make sure the general area around the barrel is clean.
Perform regular inspections, especially after heavy rain. If there are leaks, repair or replace the barrels. If using multiple barrels, check the hose connections and make sure they’re all in place.
A homemade rain barrel is one of the most useful things you can have around the house. It allows you to use rainwater, cutting down on water expenses in the process.