Build Your Own Rain Barrel

Build your own rain barrel

55-Gallon barrel

Finished rain barrel

Skimmer basket

Hose and coupler

Jisgaw cutting the top hole

Installing upper drain

Installing lower drain

Getting Started

Generally a rain barrel consists of three main components: a barrel, a top hole, an upper drain, and a lower drain.

Plastic 55-gallon drums are the recommended type of barrel to use for safely collecting water with minimal leaking. Habitat ReStore and Bridging the Gap recycling centers are currently selling 55-gallon drums for a small fee.

If you're having trouble locating the right type of barrel, please contact MARC Water Resources for the names of other suppliers.
A top hole should be cut in the top of the barrel for collecting water. Insert a skimmer basket like those found in garden ponds and swimming pools to filter out leaves and other debris. It is important to cover the basket with figerglass window screen to prevent mosquitoes and other disease-carrying insects from entering the barrel.
The top drain is a plastic faucet that should always be left in the "open" position to keep the barrel from overflowing.
The bottom drain ia a plastic faucet that attaches to a hose for watering lawns and gardens. This faucet should be kept in the "closed" position when not in use.

Mark holes at least two inches from top of barrel
Use 1" drill bit to drill hole
Screw plastic faucet into hole
Use utility knife as needed to alter hole
Wrap ¾" coupling threads in Teflon tape and caulk and screw onto faucet inside the barrel

Mark holes at least two inches from bottom of barrel
Use 1" drill bit to drill hole
Screw plastic faucet into hole. Use utility knife, as needed, to increase hole size
Remove faucet, wrap threads in tape, caulk threads, replace faucet
Caulk area where faucet and barrel meet to reduce leakage