A DIY rainbarrel spigot.
Commercially manufactured rain barrels are very well made and work well, but for a fraction of the cost, you can make your own. Heavy plastic is preferable to a steel barrel because it is easier to work with, it is lighter and it will never degrade.
Spigot options come in a variety of shapes and styles, but sticking to a common type will make it easier to obtain parts if it needs to be repaired. Does this Spark an idea?
Types of spigots to use
The most common spigots to use for a rain barrel are easily obtainable garden hose types that can be turned off and on as desired. The best types are brass. Plastic will work but is not as durable, particularly in northern climates where temperature variations degrade a plastic spigot. Because garden hose spigots are commonly found at hardware or department stores, washers and fitting nuts will be easy to come by.
Parts and supplies
The most common diameter for the threaded ends of a garden hose spigot is 1/2 or 3/4 inch. This size determines how fast the water will drain, so the more efficient and faster draining spigot is 3/4 inch.
You'll need two large flat washers that fit over the threads of the spigot, and then find a corresponding brass/bronze nut that threads on. Avoid a steel nut. Although it may work initially, over time it will rust and deteriorate, so always go with a brass/bronze nut for attaching the spigot. Also, pick up a tube of clear silicone caulk.
Doing the job
The two keys to the installation of a spigot are proper locating it and properly creating a watertight seal. Both require only a little diligence.
The hole should be about 1 inch from the bottom of the barrel. This way most of the barrel will drain normally and most of the rest can be drained by slightly tipping the barrel. Depending on how you have the barrel hooked up to the downspout, you may only be able to tip the barrel slightly.
Ensuring a proper seal requires both the creation of the correct size hole and appropriately applied caulk.
The hole should always be slightly larger than the diameter of the spigot intake (15/16 inch for a 3/4-inch threaded spigot). Since you want to test each step along the installation process, gently thread or push the spigot through the hole you drilled to make sure it fits, then remove.
Lay a small bead of silicone around the edge of the hole on the outside of the barrel, place a washer over the spigot threads, then push the spigot back into the hole. Put another bead of silicone around the edge of the hole on the inside of the barrel, push the other washer over the back of the spigot, and thread the nut onto the spigot threads. Tighten the nut with an adjustable or dedicated sized wrench, firmly but not overly tight. Some silicone will be squeezed out from behind the washer, and that is exactly what you want for a water proof fitting. Wipe the excess away.
Allow the silicone seal to dry overnight before filling, and your spigot will remain leak proof and functional for the life of the barrel.
Tags: garden hose, around edge, around edge hole, bead silicone, bead silicone around