A rain barrel is a practical and decorative home addition.
A rain barrel is a useful addition to a home. It collects and stores water for plants and gardens. This reduces the strain on public resources and your home's water bill. With a little creativity and the right barrel, it also makes a nice decoration. Multiple barrels can be connected together to hold even more water. Rain barrels do not need to be confined to houses. Connect another rain barrel to a shed or garage to collect as much rain as possible so dry periods aren't nearly as dry. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Drill a hole in the side of the barrel, 1 inch from the bottom, with a 3/4-inch drill bit. If the bottom of the barrel is thicker than usual, drill the hole 1/2 inch above the barrel floor.
2. Drill a hole in the side of the barrel, 2 inches from the lid, with a 3/4-inch drill bit.
3. Drill a hole in the center of the barrel lid with a 3/4-inch drill bit. Cut a 5-inch diameter hole with a jig saw, using the drilled hole as a starting point.
4. Wash a 6-by-6 inch square of outdoor screen thoroughly with clean water. Attach the screen over the hole in the barrel lid. Staple it in place with 1/2-inch staples if the barrel is wooden, or affix it with PVC glue to a plastic barrel.
5. Place a 3/4-inch rubber washer on the end of a 3/4-inch overflow valve. Slide the valve through the upper hole on the side of the barrel and place another rubber washer on the valve. Cover the side of the washers facing the barrel with a thin coat of silicone sealant. Place a lock washer on the end of the valve and tighten it securely with an adjustable wrench.
6. Attach a 3/4-inch spigot to the lower hole in the exact same way the overflow valve was attached.
7. Attach the lid securely to the rain barrel. Position the rain barrel beside the downspout to which it will attach. Cut the spouting off 6 inches above the lid of the rain barrel with a hacksaw.
8. Remove the elbow from the end of the removed spouting and attach it to the cut end. Move the rain barrel so the end of the elbow is positioned above the hole in the lid of the rain barrel.
Tags: rain barrel, 4-inch drill, barrel with, Drill hole, hole side, hole side barrel, side barrel