Dad what are you making now: Rain Barrel Edition

How to build a rain barrel for collecting rainwater

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There must be a better way to capture and reuse water…. I have always found the fascination with rain barrels in the NW to comical — but worse if the City of Seattle is promoting them!

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Oh yes, and as an awareness building measure — which this post shows clearly happens. As others have said, given our rain patterns you gotta have a LOT of rain barrels lined up to do any good.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Grey water resue is the best strategy here if you really want to keep your garden green. If only cities would get over their fear of it!

It teaches people how to manage their storm water runoff on their property as well as giving them an incentive for doing so. More information can be obtained by going to the links page thats on the rainbarrelman. On another note …….. As an owner of a rain harvesting business I am concerned about all the small rain barrel companys that are popping up in one place after an other, that charge outragous prices for their plastic drums rain barrels What gets me is that the people that buy them think that they are getting a great deal when in fact they are not.

A drum, a spigot and an inadequate over flow is not worth over a hundred dollers and yet that is what I see as I surf the web. Never did I think that the rain barrels that I build were so unique untill I purchased a PC after five years in the business and found out what everybody else were doing. There must be a better way to capture and reuse water…Here you go: Yes there is a better way 1.

Get yourself a pony pump a cheap one runs off 12 volt car battery 2.

Only problem I have is: Have been running it for about 9 years now … remember to empty in the winter. In response to a rain barrel pump: Also, the electric pump do not automatically shut off, which could burn up the motor.

The pump sold by RBIG is electric and automatically shuts off once the barrel is emptied. I live in the Okanagan in British Columbia which is extremely dry in the summer.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

I have become fascinated with using rainwater for watering to reduce consumption and costs metering is becoming so expensive. I have one barrel but am planning to get a lot more. I have used a submersible pump for fish ponds in the barrel hooked to a hose. It works excellent for hand watering. I tried a fizzer for the lawn as an experiment, but of course does not have the same pressure as a faucet. The pump drains the water fast from the barrel which I guess gives an idea as to how much water we use for our lawns and gardens.

I also have a pool which I know may be evil when trying to be water conscious. However, the winter blanket collects an enormous amount of water which I have also used for spring watering with the pump. How can I prevent the water in my rain barrel from becoming rancid? Would an injection of vinegar or baking soda keep it clean or must I keep it flowing at all times to my flower garden. In answer to Berts question about keeping his rain barrel water from becoming rancid, we, at the rainbarrelman company, recommend using GSE grapefriut seed extract.

It has been used as an algaecide, bactericide, and fungicide in lieu of chlorine or iodine water treatments.

How to build a rain barrel for collecting rainwater – Boys' Life magazine

It is non-toxic to animals and humans. Please visit our site at http: Regarding rain barrel pumps — I recently started using a rain barrel pump to make watering convienent. It makes watering a lot easier. Wait for the sealant to dry, then run a rubber washer, followed by a metal washer onto the threads of the spigot inside the barrel. Secure the spigot in place inside your barrel with the hose clamp.

This is important because it will keep your spigot from coming loose from your barrel. You can also run watertight Teflon tape to seal the spigot hole. Carefully cut a hole in the lid of your rain barrel. This hole should sit under your home's downspout so the water runs right into the barrel. Cut the hole so it's large enough to accommodate the water flow from the downspout. You'll also want to drill a hole or two near the very top of your rain barrel.

Rainwater harvesting: using the weather to pay your bills

This hole will allow water to overflow. You can run a short length of hose or PVC pipe, from the overflow hole to another rain barrel to connect them. That way if your rain barrel fills, the excess water will run into the next one and you don't lose overflow water. Cut a piece of landscaping fabric to sit over the top, then put the lid over the top of it to secure it. Thread the spigot halfway into the barrel, apply PVC cement onto the threads and continue screwing it in until snug.

Choose a good spot for the rain barrel. It needs to be close to a rain downspout and a short distance from your plants and gardens. Raise the barrel off the ground by placing it on concrete blocks. Reconfigure the downspout so it empties directly into the barrel. Use the screen to cover the open hole in the barrel to prevent insects or debris from getting in. Thanks to who does.

Make a Rain Barrel to Save Water

Be aware, many cities and states have made collecting rainwater illegal. Where to buy food grade rain barrels in my state and found a great source less than two blocks from my work! I made one of these two years ago and I cannot use the water fast enough! I love it and have yet to have problems with Mosquitos. I use the water on my flower beds, vegetable garden, and have a bottle of camp soap on it to wash my hands too!

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