Rain barrels can be made from wooden or plastic containers.
Rain barrels are an environmentally friendly and economical way.to conserve water. A 1-inch rainfall on a 1,000-square-foot roof totals 653 gallons of water which can be collected to water lawns and gardens. Most rain barrels are made by recycling 55-gallon drums, so connecting barrels offers a way to collect and save more rainwater during moderate or heavy rainfall. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Build a solid base under the gutter downspout for the first rain barrel using cinder blocks or 6-inch posts. The base must be able to hold more than 300 lbs. If the ground is not stable, it may be necessary to dig and pour a concrete footing.
2. Cut a hole for the downspout adapter using the drill to tap a hole and the sabre saw to cut out. Drill a hole several inches below the top lip of the barrel for the overflow spout and insert hose connector. Drill a hole 2 inches above the bottom rim and insert shut-off valve. Cement connectors and valves to barrel.
3. Build base for next barrel, making sure the height of the top of the barrel is below the level of the overflow valve of the first barrel. Drill, insert and cement overflow connector and shut-off valve as on first barrel. Drill, insert and cement connector on top for connecting hose.
4. Connect garden hose from first barrel overflow connector to second barrel top connector. Collected water will flow from first barrel to fill second when the first barrel is full.
5. Additional barrels can be added as desired, making sure barrels are staircased to assure flow.
Tags: first barrel, barrel Drill, barrel Drill insert, barrel overflow, barrels made, Drill hole, Drill insert