A home hardware rain barrel is a useful tool to lower your home water consumption. By collecting rainwater from your home's gutters, you can water your plants and yard without tapping into your water supply. With water restrictions prevalent in some areas, harnessing the rainwater may be the only way to keep your yard and garden green. You can also use the rainwater to bathe pets and wash cars or equipment. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Y Coupling
1. Clean the barrel out with soap and water. Rinse thoroughly
2. Measure 2 inches up from the bottom of the barrel and drill a hole for the galvanized pipe with a 1-inch spade drill bit.
3. Apply plumbers tape to the threads of the iron pipe. Thread the Y coupling onto one end of the iron pipe.
4. Apply plumbing sealant to the exposed end of the iron pipe. Thread the pipe into the hole drilled into the barrel. Allow the sealant to set for at least 12 hours or according to the manufacturer's directions.
5. Attach a hose to the end of the Y coupling. Switch the valve to "On" to siphon the water from the rain barrel.
Clear Tubing
6. Place one end of clear plastic tubing into the top of the rain barrel. Thread the tubing into the barrel until the tube has reached the bottom of the barrel. The barrel does not need to be completely full of water. You will be able to siphon out the water that is in the barrel, stopping when you have siphoned the desired amount of water.
7. Set a bucket or watering can onto the ground at a spot lower than the rain barrel.
8. Wrap your mouth around the exposed end of the clear tubing. Suck on the tubing until the water is an inch from the opening of the tube in your mouth.
9. Place your thumb over the opening of the tube in your mouth.
10. Position the end of the tube with your thumb over it into the watering can or bucket. Remove your thumb, and allow the water to flow into the bucket or watering can. To stop the flow of water, place your thumb over the opening of the tube, or bend the tube to prevent water from flowing. Hold the tube vertical to the opening of the barrel and remove the bend or thumb from the opening to allow the water left in the tube to flow back into the barrel.
Tags: your thumb, into barrel, iron pipe, opening tube, thumb over