How to Install a DIY Rain Barrel

Last week I had my cousin over for lunch. It was the first time they've been to our new place here.

We grilled some hamburgers and relaxed outside. While eating they noticed our rain barrel and asked about it.

Why Rain Barrels Rock

Having a rain barrel can be a smart move for the environment and your own wallet.

Taking some of the rain that runs off your roof allows you to keep your garden growing. We live here in North Carolina and some summers are extremely hot. Having a close water source helps maintain our vegetables and fruits.

We also save a bit with the water bill, which is a nice bonus.

DIY Rain Barrel

The good news is that it's pretty easy to make a rain barrel. It's a fairly straightforward process. From start to finish, it took me less than an hour.

You need a food grade barrel (you can get it new, but there are some great ones used). We were fortunate that our neighbor had one that he gave away. I've seen them online for about and between $25-$55 on Craigslist, depending on the size and condition.

Please make sure you have your safety googles and other equipment ready before you begin.

The detailed instructions came with the kit we bought. The big picture view is basically:

• Drill a hole in your rain barrel at the bottom for your spigot.
• Insert the spigot and make sure it's sealed.
• If you're connecting it to your downspout (like we did), you need to drill a hole in the spout and in the barrel.
• Connect hose between the barrel and spout.

In case you're curious we picked up this Rainstation Downspout Diverter Kit on Amazon. It had everything I needed (except the barrel) and clear instructions.

After seeing how easy it was to set up, my neighbor picked up another barrel and is planning on installing his this weekend. 

I'm happy with how it turned out. My next project for the barrel is creating a stand so I ‘ll have more patio space available.

Thoughts on DIY Rain Barrel

How many of you have a rain barrel in your yard?