DIY Rain Barrels

katgum · 09-07-2009, 12:42 AM

I've uploaded plans for a rain barrel that the Texas Coop Extension has distributed. It's very to easy to make. I'll attach photos later of ones someone made this year. What I like about these is that you do not have to place them under the down spout on the roof. Instead,you can place them where you get the most water.

Also, here are a couple of links for a few plans to make Rain Barrels. The one from Lowes even has a video included.

How To Make A Rainbarrel
Water-Conserving Rain Barrels

I'm adding to this post on 9/26/09

I've finally had a chance to add some photos to the rain barrels that were made. One has a faucet, the other does not. Both were made off the same basic plan from the Texas Coop.

This last image I'm including to show where we placed the rain barrels. One is under the spout. We originally had it elsewhere, but because of the lid, was not able to get much water.

The other barrel is next to it, collecting run off from the roof that misses the gutter.

Dean W. · 12-21-2009, 06:40 PM

Cool, I have a cattle trough. I don't have water hoses connected though. I just use a watering can. Maybe I'll consider doing that.

Scuba_Dave · 12-21-2009, 07:34 PM

I picked up (2) of these off Craigslist for free (no wooden pallet)
They are about 300g each & have a built in spigot
Not quite as clean as this yet...need to power wash them in the Spring
He had a few 800g tanks....was not abel to snag one of those...
I also have (5) 55g drums for rainwater
Can't wait to get everything setup
I also have a 150g cattle trough....and a 140g bin too

katgum · 03-16-2010, 02:08 PM

After using the rain barrell with the faucet, I recommend to lift it up a little off the ground, to increase water pressure. It works well, but if the rain barrell is at ground level, than it might be harder to get water pressure.

Abnshrek · 03-16-2010, 06:18 PM

Man that's pretty nifty :^)

justjoan · 03-17-2010, 07:52 AM

Very nice, great ideas, Thanks

Patty in Wisc · 03-21-2010, 11:05 PM

We have a recycle center that makes & sells 55 gal rainbarrels. I bought one 5 yrs ago or more ($30.00). My back deck is about 2 ft above ground plus I raised the barrel another 12 inches, & still don't have enough pressure for watering garden. I fill buckets with it. I just wish they put the spigot further down...when it gets to that point, there's still 4-5 gal water in it so I have to tip the barrel. I'll have to post a pic soon.

LilRaverBoi · 03-22-2010, 12:12 PM

It's simple physics. If the end of the hose (or any part of the hose) goes higher than the level of the water, no water will come out. Beyond that, if the hose stays below the level of the water, it will trickle out. Don't expect pressure like you would have in a hydrant...it's just gravity working here.

Patty in Wisc · 03-22-2010, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LilRaverBoi

Don't expect pressure like you would have in a hydrant...it's just gravity working here.

Yup. I also got one for Mike's deck (where downspout is) & it is prolly 12 ft above ground. I hook a hose up to it & throw the other end down to water the garden there & even at that height, it needs more pressure to use the sprayer. I just open it full pressure & it doesn't shoot out much.

katgum · 03-23-2010, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patty in Wisc

when it gets to that point, there's still 4-5 gal water in it so I have to tip the barrel.

We had to clean my mom's pond out a couple of years ago to redo it and had a similar problem with getting rid of the water. What we ended up doing was was using the pond pump to get rid of the rest of the water, after several loads of carrying water back and forth to differents parts of the yard. Maybe you can get a small pump to help remove the last amounts of water, that is if it's more than an inch or two of water. Less than that, I think tipping would be the only answer.

Patty in Wisc · 03-24-2010, 01:05 AM

I just set a bucket under the spigot & when I tip the barrel, water comes out faster & is really less work than hooking up my pump & pumping it out. I also use the pump to drain the pond. The little that's left, I use a small bucket & scoop the water & muck at bottom. Ooh noo, you just reminded me I gotta do this soon!....YUK.

12-21-2009, 06:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dean W. Dean W.'s Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Park, TX Zone: 8b Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,279 BananaBucks : 241,310 Feedback: 13 / 100% Said "Thanks" 6,325 Times Was Thanked 2,130 Times in 972 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 300 Times	Re: DIY Rain Barrels Cool, I have a cattle trough. I don't have water hoses connected though. I just use a watering can. Maybe I'll consider doing that. __________________

12-21-2009, 07:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
Scuba_Dave Location: South of Boston, MA Find me on the map! Zone: 6-7 Name: Dave Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 732 BananaBucks : 61,037 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 501 Times Was Thanked 1,218 Times in 451 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,414 Times	Re: DIY Rain Barrels I picked up (2) of these off Craigslist for free (no wooden pallet) They are about 300g each & have a built in spigot Not quite as clean as this yet...need to power wash them in the Spring He had a few 800g tanks....was not abel to snag one of those... I also have (5) 55g drums for rainwater Can't wait to get everything setup I also have a 150g cattle trough....and a 140g bin too

03-16-2010, 02:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
katgum katgum's Photo Gallery Find me on the map! Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 38 BananaBucks : 34,704 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 28 Times Was Thanked 21 Times in 9 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 4 Times	Re: DIY Rain Barrels After using the rain barrell with the faucet, I recommend to lift it up a little off the ground, to increase water pressure. It works well, but if the rain barrell is at ground level, than it might be harder to get water pressure.

03-16-2010, 06:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek 's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,493 BananaBucks : 217,927 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,443 Times in 5,238 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: DIY Rain Barrels Man that's pretty nifty :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

03-17-2010, 07:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
justjoan justjoan Location: suburb of Minneapolis Mn Find me on the map! Zone: 4A Name: Joan Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 338 BananaBucks : 8,814 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 106 Times Was Thanked 314 Times in 181 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 179 Times	Re: DIY Rain Barrels Very nice, great ideas, Thanks __________________ Friends are the siblings God never gave you

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03-21-2010, 11:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 348,433 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: DIY Rain Barrels We have a recycle center that makes & sells 55 gal rainbarrels. I bought one 5 yrs ago or more ($30.00). My back deck is about 2 ft above ground plus I raised the barrel another 12 inches, & still don't have enough pressure for watering garden. I fill buckets with it. I just wish they put the spigot further down...when it gets to that point, there's still 4-5 gal water in it so I have to tip the barrel. I'll have to post a pic soon. __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

03-22-2010, 12:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 119,893 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Re: DIY Rain Barrels It's simple physics. If the end of the hose (or any part of the hose) goes higher than the level of the water, no water will come out. Beyond that, if the hose stays below the level of the water, it will trickle out. Don't expect pressure like you would have in a hydrant...it's just gravity working here. __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!

03-24-2010, 01:05 AM	#11 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 348,433 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: DIY Rain Barrels I just set a bucket under the spigot & when I tip the barrel, water comes out faster & is really less work than hooking up my pump & pumping it out. I also use the pump to drain the pond. The little that's left, I use a small bucket & scoop the water & muck at bottom. Ooh noo, you just reminded me I gotta do this soon!....YUK. __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

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