How to Build a Rain Barrel

TheRainHarvester Says:

Apr 21, 2009 - This one stores a LOT of water and is a cheap way of connecting them together: rainharvester (dot) blogspot (dot) C0M

themaskedbk Says:

Apr 28, 2009 - good tip

gt0520b Says:

May 20, 2009 - i'd make sure that barrel is phthalate and bpa-free unless, of course, you want to run the risk of infertility and cancer. Wake up people plastics aren't that safe ... they leak into the water.

06131985 Says:

May 24, 2009 - Plastics leak into the water? You must mean plastic chemicals leach into the water.

danecooktz Says:

Jun 1, 2009 - damn who the fuck cares about fucking bpa and shit so go fuck yourself fuck global warming bitch

yourBLOODisonme Says:

Jun 4, 2009 - calm down danecooktz! its just a comment

yourBLOODisonme Says:

Jun 4, 2009 - it wouldnt matter cause doesnt it just go on the garden??

thinner39 Says:

Jun 5, 2009 - How did you make that diverter thing in the downspout?

tuna944 Says:

Jun 9, 2009 - has anyone found a water timer that will work on a rain barrel . allof them seem to need head pressure to operate.

cardioresearch Says:

Jun 15, 2009 - Regarding the opening in the barrel for the incoming rain water. .. I've had good success with a 6" hole, cut out using a skill saw. The reason I chose that size is that Lowes and H.D. have standard gutter system flex pipe that is 3" at the gutter connection and 4" at the opposite end. The inside diameter of the 6" barrel connection (Allard (sic) vent fitting) is just over 4" and makes a perfect fit. That fit includes using screen in the vent fitting as a filter and mosquito screen.

scottpoms Says:

Jul 12, 2009 - City Water cost $3.00 per unit (avg) - that is less than 1/2 cent per gallon - so that barrel full saves you an amazing 22 cents !!!!!

strangeseeds Says:

Jul 12, 2009 - You kidding? Saves me at least $40/month on the water utility bill during the summer for me. All my neighbors complain about their $100+ water bill and mine remains around$50.

scottpoms Says:

Jul 12, 2009 - So how many times does it rain where you are and how many times do you use it? do you use it to water your lawn? do you have a pump? cause to save $50 a month you must be filling and using that thing hundreds of times per month.

strangeseeds Says:

Jul 12, 2009 - Our utility (private co) charges a sewer charge based on how many 'units' of water used, whether or not 100% of water used goes back into the sewer. Units are undefined. :( No pump. My savings is mainly from the sewer charges on my utility bill I don't incur by using the rain barrels. More rain this year, but droughts the last 2 years with water restriction. I use them daily for my vegetable garden. I have 4 50-gallons linked. Additional water from HVAC condensation drip and dehumidifier also.

bb33691 Says:

Jul 22, 2009 - Monetary savings you can debate all day. Some things are not open for debate. Did you know that less than 1% of all the water on Earth can be used by people? The rest is salt water (the kind you find in the ocean) or is permanently frozen and we can't drink it, wash with it, or use it to water plants. As our population grows, more and more people are using up this limited resource. Therefore, it is important that we use our water wisely and not waste it.

insideriverside Says:

Jul 23, 2009 - Why 2 spigots?

strangeseeds Says:

Jul 23, 2009 - I just use one per barrel

ZoneDev Says:

Aug 20, 2009 - There is an awesome rain diverter out called RainReserve. In a closed system it prevents mosquitoes, barrel overflow, algae, debris, and other critters. It also has a maintenance door!

xxxtacoman Says:

Sep 14, 2009 - if you boil the water can you drink it?

strangeseeds Says:

Sep 14, 2009 - I am no expert, but I've seen worse boiled on Survivor and Survivorman, so why not? Though maybe asphalt shingle 'leachate' is bad for you?

elgeeno Says:

Sep 21, 2009 - im guessing u guys up ther dont have wat we call a "rain water tank"? my house has two of them both hold 10,000 litres of rain water. lasts me the whole summer and more wen they r both full

elgeeno Says:

Sep 21, 2009 - u can drink it for sure. hell u can drink it without boiling it. but boiled water tastes like crap imo lol

adelsolopez Says:

Sep 23, 2009 - I collect my water to drink by using plastic bucket. I just place them over a pic nic table. I just make sure that water won't get in touch with any other thing, from the cloud to the bucket. It is odorless, colorless and tasteless. It is better than other kind of drinking water. It is destilled water. If no metal has touched it. Also can be used to refill a car battery or radiator.

DIYHomeEnergyPlans Says:

Oct 30, 2009 - Suggestion...if the top of your barrel is completely open it will be a good home for mosquito larvae. If this is your case, just drop a goldfish or two in the barrel, they'll eat all of the larvae and you won't have a mosquito problem.

strangeseeds Says:

Oct 30, 2009 - I screen-off the opening on mine. I have an open barrel also and drop in a mosquito dunk for that one.