Rain Barrel Guide

Determine Location and Build a Base

If your house has rain gutters, position the rain barrel or barrels on the side where the downspout of the gutter is located. Alternatively, position the barrels on the side closest to where you will use the water, such as where the garden is located. This may require re-working the gutters or positioning some pipes to carry the rainwater from the downspout to the barrels. Build a base against the house, using cinder blocks, bricks or wood. A low platform just wide enough for the barrel is best, keeping it low enough to be below the level of any nearby windows.

Run a hose or pipe from the downspout to each barrel so that it enters the top of the barrel. Place a screen or filter of some kind at the top of the downspout to keep leaves and other particles from getting into your barrel system. You can connect each barrel with short pipes or hoses between them, on the sides. Set up a faucet where you can draw water out of the barrels and an overflow hose that directs any extra water away from the house toward a location where it will drain away from the house and driveway.

You may want a water-level indicator, which can be a clear hose rigged to show the level of water in the barrel system. You can also put a hinged valve on the downspout so that it diverts water in a different direction once the barrels are full. If you want better water pressure when running water from the barrels to the garden, consider building a higher platform for the barrels. For aesthetic purposes, you can paint your barrels to blend with the house or reflect your personality.

Except for the holes you make for the hoses and pipes, the barrels need to be closed. Don't rig up a rain barrel with an open top, since this is not safe for children or small animals and will also lead to dirty water as leaves and other organic matter build up. If you live in an area where you get a hard freeze in the winter, completely drain the barrels and water lines and disconnect the hose leading from the downspout before the anticipated freeze. Keep them empty until the weather warms up.