A homemade rain catcher can save you money and help the environment.
A properly built rain catcher can collect and hold up to 50 gallons of water ready to use on your garden or lawn, saving both money and the environment. Most communities today pipe water that has been treated to high drinking standards to a home, which is great when you want a glass of water but a bit of a waste when you just want to water your flowers. This treated water is not only a waste to the environment but also costs you money on your utility bill. A rain catcher is a good alternative for those who frequently use water outside. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Instructions
1. Cut a top hole in your 55-gallon plastic barrel. Use your 1-inch spade bit to drill a starting hole. Use a jigsaw to cut out the hole, which should be big enough to fit your arm through.
2. Create the upper drain on top of the barrel. Mark holes at least 2 inches from top of barrel. Use 1-inch drill bit to drill hole; then screw plastic faucet into hole. Use utility knife if hole needs to be altered. Wrap 3/4-inch coupling threads in Teflon tape, and caulk and screw onto faucet inside the barrel.
3. Install bottom drain. Mark holes at least 2 inches from bottom of barrel like you did for the upper drain. Use the 1-inch drill bit again to drill hole. Screw plastic faucet into hole using the utility knife to increase hole size. Remove faucet, wrap threads in tape, caulk threads and replace faucet, making sure to caulk area where faucet and barrel meet to reduce leakage.
4. Attach a watering hose by simply screwing it into place at the bottom faucet.
5. Place the window screen over the top hole to prevent derbies from entering the rain catcher.
6. Cut your home's downspout about 4 inches above the top of the barrel with metal clipper, and add an gutter elbow, directing it into the rain catcher.
7. Place the rain catcher on top of two cinder blocks. Add a hose so you can begin watering your garden after the first rain.
Tags: rain catcher, 1-inch drill, drill hole, faucet into, faucet into hole