My First Rain Barrel Project

Once, I had one lonely rain barrel, which would only be good for 2 waterings at the most. I needed more capacity, but was reluctant of dishing out 100 buck for a commercial barrel. After a bit of Googling, I had gathered enough info and courage to try building my own.

First, I gathered the materials. I went at Cohen & Cohen and bought a few 220 L (55 gal) olive barrels for 15$ CAD a piece. These had screw on tops. I gave them a quick rince to remove the leftover olives. Some guy on my block was throwing away an old hose which I reused for overflow pipes and daisy chaining. I stopped at Home Depot for the rest (~20$).



To install the overflow pipe, I drilled a 3/4" hole close to the top. I attached the hoses on a nylon coupling with inside threads at one end and secured with a plastic lock nut on the inside of the barrel.




To install the faucet, I drilled another 3/4" hole close to the bottom and secured it with another lock nut. I added a good helping of exterior silicone caulking for a water tight fit.



Many DIY sites suggested different ways to attach a piece of screen to allow access to water and exclude debris and insects. I find the home made rain barrels with a big piece of screen attached with a bungee not very aesthetic. I decided for a different approach - to drill holes in the cover where water accumulates (along the edge). I did this with a high speed rotary tool (Dremmel-like). This has the advantages of a screen, but with a much higher durability. I think it took as long as it would have taken me to install a proper looking screen.




That was it for the barrel itself. The only thing to finish off was the installation. I had some leftover bricks in my yard so I positioned them somewhat level so that the barrel doesn't tip over and hurt someone. I attached the gutter adapter and voila!



I have two barrels daisy chained in front of my house that are well hidden behind some massive shrubbery. It's been a wet May and June so all barrels are full and waiting to be used.


To prove that these barrels can fill up fast, I took this video.