How To Install A Rain Barrel – The Conservation Foundation Helps Demonstrate How Easy It Is to Install A Rain Barrel

How easy is it to install a rain barrel?

REALLY EASY!

Jim Kleinwachter works with me in the above short video to demonstrate how easy it really is to install a rain barrel. Jim runs The Conservation Foundation’s incredibly successful “Conservation @ Home” program.

Rain barrels come in many forms and the particular rain barrel we are installing was used as a barrel to transport olives from the Mediterranean. Originally the barrels were thrown in the landfill. The Conservation Foundation rescues them and reuses them – a great way to reduce, reuse, and recycle industrial products.

For rain barrel installation you will need a couple tools. Specifically, a rain barrel, hacksaw, and flexible downspout. Aluminum downspouts: 6 screws and a screwdriver. PVC downspouts: PVC cement.

Connecting your downspout to your rain barrel

1. Place your barrel near the downspout you have selected, and measure the area you need to cut.
2. Disconnect your downspout from the sewer system by sawing the downspout above where the top of the rain barrel will be, leaving room for the elbow to be attached. Save all these parts you have removed for use in the winter.
3. Attach a flexible downspout elbow to the cut end of your downspout so that water from your downspout is directed into the rain barrel through the top screened hole.
4. If you have a PVC downspout, secure it to the elbow with PVC cement so it will not fall off during a heavy rain. If you have an aluminum downspout, secure it to the elbow with aluminum screws.
5. Place your rain barrel under the downspout elbow so the water goes directly into the top hole of the rain barrel.
6. Attach a hose to the overflow spigot, and direct the overflow into your own yard, but away from your home’s foundation.

It’s very important that when temperatures in your community get below freezing  you reconnect your downspouts. You can do this simply by attaching the downspout onto the downspout elbow that currently directs water into the rain  barrel. Keep your rain barrel spigot open so water does not accumulate in the rain barrel and freeze. You can also turn the rain barrel upside-down or bring it inside to ensure no water accumulates in the barrel.

It’s that easy – above is a view of my Conservation Foundation rain barrel installed on the side of my home. Get a rain barrel today and help your family and your community conserve water! Purchase a rain barrel from The Conservation Foundation by going to this link – Rain Barrels.

Thanks go to Tom Reid of Tom Reid Motion & Stills LLC for the fantastic video work!

Shawna Coronado says Get Healthy! Get Green! Get Community! www.thecasualgardener.com, The Green Blog - www.gardeningnude.com, or The Garden Blog - http://thecasualgardener.blogspot.com

Comments

[sje]

Now that you have your rain barrel - you might want to consider what happens when you don;t want water going to it - like in the dead of winter - we got one of these and it works great https://www.aquabarrel.com/product_downspout_diverter_offset.php

[Shirley Bovshow "EdenMaker"]

Hey Shawna,
Great video! You are so natural and at ease in front of the camera! Very good information. Keep up the great work!
Shirley Bovshow

[OneDay]

Great post! This is much easier to do than I thought it would be. Thank you!