Turn any unused fuel barrel, metal or plastic, into a rain barrel.
Buying a 55-gallon rain barrel can easily set you back $100 or more. Save most of that cash and recycle one or more plastic fuel drums at the same time by building your own rain barrel system. In areas of the country with steady, year-round rains, regularly using rain barrels is a simple way to conserve water. In dry California, rain barrels are still useful much of the year. Fill your watering can from the rain barrel, and hand-water all your potted plants, or attach a garden hose to a full barrel to deeply irrigate vegetable plants, shrubs or trees. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Measure up from the barrel's bottom about 1 inch, just past the curve to where the straight side begins, and mark the spot. Drill a circular hole through the barrel wall, using the drill and 3/4-inch bit.
2. Create "threads" in the soft plastic by twisting the 1/2-inch male adapter into the hole. Then unscrew and remove the male adapter, wrap its threads with Teflon tape, then coat the tape with waterproof sealant. Screw the adapter--with tape and sealant this time--back into the hole. Allow the adapter to dry, without touching it, at least 24 hours. Attach the clear vinyl hose.
3. Draw a circle in the middle of the fuel drum's lid; use the atrium grate for your template. Use the drill and the 1/2-inch drill bit to make a hole inside the circle, then use the saw to enlarge the hole. The opening should be just large enough so the flange for the atrium grate fits securely but won't fall in. Snip a piece of window screen that fits either inside or outside the grate, to block mosquitoes and also filter out other insects and debris.
4. Notch the barrel rim with the drill and 1/2-inch bit, making a round notch so the adapter on the hose will snap firmly into place. Make sure the notch lines up directly with the hose outlet at the bottom of the barrel.
5. Splice in the gutter elbow and modify your downspout--follow product directions--to divert rainwater into the barrel. Create a gravity flow system by elevating the rain barrel so it stands at least 18 inches above the ground. Lower the vinyl hose below the bottom outlet to fill a watering can. Attach the vinyl hose to a regular garden hose with the 3/4- to 1/2-inch adapter to water plants directly.
Tags: rain barrel, vinyl hose, atrium grate, drill 2-inch, garden hose