Single and Triple Rain Barrel Setup

Transcription

1 Single and Triple Rain Barrel Setup Introduction The following guide will enable you to prepare a rainwater collection system where there is an already established downspout. The construction is intended to be simple, use easily accessible materials, and be safe. Note: It is imperative that the containers you are using to construct your rain barrel are food grade barrels and have not contained any substances that would not be fit for human consumption; Acadian Sea-plants has been known to sell these for a little over $100 each. Materials Required Large barrel (food grade) Screen material Spigot, o-ring and faucet lock nut Silicone caulking Downspout diverter 3 of ¾ hose (2) 3/4 thru-hulls for single barrel and (6) for triple barrel setup (one for overflow) (2) 3 hose clamps for single barrel and (6) for triple barrel setup ¾ all-purpose screws and washers Tools Required Adjustable wrench Drill with ¾ bit Caulking gun Screwdriver Jigsaw or saw to cut barrel Instructions Before beginning this installation, have a look at where the barrels will be set up and how closely together you would like them to be; they should be spaced between 8 and 12 apart so that the barrels can be turned in different directions without coming into contact with each other. In addition, ensure that they are elevated off the ground so that a watering jug can be placed below the spigot (to do this, simply set up a shelf using whatever materials are available such as cinder blocks, scrap wood, or a pre-constructed bench). Construction Plan 1. Barrel Prep 2. Thru-hull Installation 3. Overflow Tube Installation 4. Insect Screen Installation

2 1. Barrel Prep Ensure the inside of the barrel is clean, especially if it was previously used for other purposes. In order to set up the rain barrel you ll need to remove the lid. In the event that the lid is not removable an opening can be created by cutting out a portion of the barrel lid (with a jigsaw) in the shape of a half circle- as in the display pictures shown. This will allow you to work within the barrel when inserting the thru-hull. Otherwise, you need only to drill a hole large enough for the downspout diverter which can be covered with screen. Drill a smaller hole in the side of the barrel, about 3-4 inches up from the bottom of the barrel. The hole should be the right size for one of the thruhulls to fit into. If you are setting up just one rain barrel you should proceed to: Step 3: Overflow Tube Installation If you have decided to create a multiple barrel set-up, the next step is to drill a similar sized hole approximately 90 degrees around the barrel, and at the same height as the previous hole; this will feed into the second barrel. To set up the second barrel, drill two holes much like the ones drilled for the first barrel, however each should be at opposite ends of the barrel (180 degrees apart). Continue to set up your rain barrels this way, until you have reached what you would like to be your last rain barrel of the set. The last barrel should be set up with just one of these connector holes, and one overflow hole (See Step 3: Overflow Tube Installation). 2. Thru-hull and Spigot Installation In general, thru-hulls should be placed in every hole (over flows and main spigot) that is made in each of the rain barrels. Apply silicone caulking to the inner face of the thru-hull. When inserted into the drilled hole, the silicone will help create a water tight seal. Insert the first thru-hull into one of the drilled holes, it may be a tight fit but this helps to prevent leaks.

3 The inside of the barrel where the thru-hull has been entered will look something like the picture shown (right); it is good to gently wipe away the excess silicone with a cloth to create a clean seal. Prior to placing the locking nut on the first thruhull, add silicone caulking to the threaded area closest to the opening of the hole. Tighten the nut using an adjustable wrench until the nut is fairly snug. Again, wipe away the excess silicone to keep the surface clean and an adequate water seal setup. This thru-hull installation can be repeated for each of the thru-hulls to be installed within your rain barrel system. Each subsequent barrel can be connected via these outlets with ¾ tubing and a set of hose clamps as shown. You can decide how far apart you would like each barrel to be and ensure that they are in direct line with each other; in this photo, the barrels have been turned for installation purposes. For the installation of the outlet spigot (the first rain barrel that was set up), a thru-hull can be installed and the tapered end cut off so that a ¾ spigot can be screwed onto this end. In this case a universal ball valve was used as a spigot. Universal Ball Valve Altered Thruhull (tapered end removed with a saw)

4 3. Overflow Tube Installation Much like the installation of the thru-hulls in the previous section, another hole can be drilled and a thru-hull inserted; however, this hole needs to be placed near the top of the barrel. Once the hole and thru-hull installation are finished, two feet of ¾ hose can be attached to this thru-hull as a means of redirecting this overflow away from the barrels. An overflow tube can be installed on all barrels if desired. Note: A tube or gutter can be used to direct the excess water away, (any holes cut into the barrel should be covered with screen). 4. Insect Screen Installation The benefit of installing insect screen on openings in the barrel is that it reduces the chance of insect spawning within the barrel and also helps to mitigate the entry of debris during rain storms and rainwater collection. The following section will detail this installation in relation to this unique construction. Measure the width of the opening at the top of the barrel to determine how much screen to cut. With a utility knife, cut a strip of screen at this measured width and also cut it such that it extends slightly beyond the round edge of the barrel; it is good to leave an extra 2 at each edge so that the mesh can be folded back on itself when fastened.

5 Once the screen is ready, begin by fastening it to the barrel on the straight edge of the barrels opening by folding the screen back on itself with about a 1 overlap; this can be completed with a ¾ all-purpose screw and washer to help keep the screen secured. It is good to insert a screw every 3 to 4 while keeping the screen tight. Continue in this fashion throughout the perimeter of the barrel opening until the screen is fully secure. Folded Edge Operational Notes: The rain barrel should be allowed to fill beginning in April, or when there is no more risk of water freezing. The barrel should be drained and taken out of operation prior to the winter Water expands when it freezes, which could damage a full barrel. Depending on the area drained into the rain barrel, it should fill relatively quickly, even in conditions of light rain (5mm). Since the barrel is affixed with a spigot, this makes it easy to fill buckets or watering cans. If the barrel is at an elevated level, it might be possible to attach a hose to it. For water collection, it is good to install a gutter beneath an area where water flows such as a roof, etc. Install the gutter at a downward slope towards the outlet which feeds into the initial barrel; shown below is a simple setup that can help serve as a guide. Roof Collection Area Downward Sloping Pipe Design Adapted From: How to Make Your Own Rain Barrel of the Clean Annapolis River Project.