A plastic barrel can be converted into a rain catcher.
A rain catcher is a device used to collect rainwater. One type of rain catcher you can make is called a rain barrel. This is a barrel that collects rainwater by utilizing an existing downspout. You can use the collected rain to water your yard or a garden. To do this you need to first find a suitable barrel that you can use to make your rain catcher. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Drill a 4-inch hole in the top of the plastic barrel using a hole saw attachment with the power drill.
2. Mark a hole that is 2 to 3 inches down from the top of the barrel with the felt tip marker. Drill a 1-inch hole into the side of the barrel with the power drill.
3. Insert the plastic valve into the hole. Apply one to two strips of Teflon tape to a female coupling. Place the coupling in the valve inside the barrel. Tighten the coupling by screwing it into the valve.
4. Mark a hole that is 2 to 3 inches up from the bottom of the barrel. Drill a 1-inch hole into the side of the barrel with the power drill.
5. Wrap the threads of a second plastic valve with the Teflon tape. Apply a bead of caulk onto the threads and then insert the valve into the hole.
6. Attach a 6-foot section of garden hose to the top valve. This valve is used for overflow when the barrel is full of water and needs to be kept open.
7. Attach a second length of garden hose to the bottom valve. This valve is used to allow water to drain out of the barrel.
8. Set your new rain catcher under a section of downspout to collect water running down from the gutter.
Tags: barrel with, power drill, rain catcher, with power, with power drill, 1-inch hole