Rainwater runs off of roofs and drains down gutters to the ground.
Harvesting rainwater using the gutter technique allows you to use the function of a gutter system, which directs the drainage of water from the roof to the ground, to direct rainwater into barrels for storage. The rainwater will collect in the barrels and be there ready for you to reuse it. Harvested rainwater can be used for watering your lawn or flowers, or even to wash your car. Your store of water will be replenished each time it rains. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Pick the gutters that you wish to place rain barrels under, then choose what size rain barrels you will use. Dig up with a shovel and remove any vegetation under where the gutter is draining water. The actual amount of area you will have to clear depends on the size of the rain barrel. Clear any vegetation so that the rain barrel will not sit on it, making it unlevel.
2. Measure the height of the rain barrel and add 4 inches to this measurement. Measure this height on the gutter running down the side of the building, starting at the ground underneath it and going up. Mark the gutter at the required measurement with the marker.
3. Cut the gutter with a hacksaw horizontally along the line you marked. Then place the rain barrel underneath the gutter so that the water will drain into it.
Tags: rain barrel, place rain, rain barrels, size rain, water will