Did you know that the average roof collects 600 gallons of water for every inch of rain?Don't let the water go to waste.You can make a system for under a hundred dollars that will allow you to store hundreds of gallons of water for your garden or other purposes.You can learn how to prepare your water storage unit.
Step 1: Water storage barrels can be obtained.
You can buy a water storage barrel online, but it's cheaper to get a used one from a company that uses large barrels to store food and other merchandise.A plastic trash can can be used to make a rain barrel.The barrel will hold up to 55 gallons of water.If you're going to buy a used barrel, make sure it doesn't contain oil, pesticides, or any other toxic substance.It's not possible to clean these chemicals from the inside of the barrel.You should get two or three barrels if you want to collect a lot of water.You can have hundreds of gallons of water at your disposal if you connect them all to the same water collection system.
Step 2: Get more supplies to turn the barrels into a water collection system.
You can pick up the supplies at a hardware store or a home and garden store.Determine what you already have on hand, then get the following supplies: 1 standard 1-inch hose spigot with 34-in.You can use pipe threads to get water from your rain barrel.4 metal washers, Teflon thread tape, tube caulk, and a lock nut are included.
Step 3: Next to your downspout, level an area.
The metal or plastic tube that runs from your roof's gutter to the ground is called the downspout.You're going to have to put a platform in the area next to your rain barrel because you'll be redirecting the downspout directly into it.There are rocks and other debris in the area.If the ground is not flat, you can use a shovel and dirt to flatten the area to fit your barrels.If your downspout empties out onto a concrete driveway or patio that's situated on a hill, you can build a level surface by stacking a few plywood boards in the low section.If you have more than one downspout on your home, choose to place the barrels near the one that is closest to your garden so the water you collect won't have as far to travel when it's time to use it.
Step 4: A layer of pea gravel can be created.
It will help keep water away from the foundation of your home by providing better drainage around the rain barrels.You can fill the rain barrels with 2 inch (1.3 cm) of pea gravel by digging a 5-inch deep rectangular area.If your downspout empties onto a concrete driveway or patio, skip this.
Step 5: There are concrete blocks on top of pea gravel.
The raised platform for the rain barrel or barrels can be created by stacking them sideways.The platform should be wide and long enough to hold your rain barrels level with each other, and steady enough that they won't tip over.
Step 6: There is a hole in the side of the barrel.
The barrel should be high enough to hold a bucket or water jug.To fit the spigot you bought, make a 1/3-inch hole.If you're using a different sized-spigot, make sure you drill the right sized hole so that it fits into the side of the barrel.
Step 7: There is a circle of caulk around the hole.
The inside and outside of the barrel should be caulked.
Step 8: Attach the spigot.
The spigot and thecoupling need to be put together.The threaded ends should be wrapped with Teflon tape to create a tight seal.Put a washer on the threaded end of thecoupling and put it through the hole in the barrel from the outside.From the inside, put another washer over the pipe.Attach the part to hold the spigot.Attach the type of spigot you have.You might need to attach it in a different way.
Step 9: An overflow valve should be made.
There is a second hole a few inches from the top of the barrel.It should be the same size as the first hole you drilled.There is a circle of caulk around the hole.Put the washer through the hole from the outside.Attach a nut to tighten the assembly and put another washer on the inside threads.Attach a garden hose to the valve.You need to drill a third hold in the first barrel if you want to use a second barrel as an overflow barrel.The spigot is several inches to the side.You should be able to drill a 4 inch hole in the second barrel at the same level as the first one.Attach the hose to the barrels.The second barrel will need a second hole to connect to the third barrel.The second valve should be on the opposite side of the barrel.There is a valve in the third barrel.
Step 10: The elbow of the downspout needs to be connected.
Setting the barrel on the platform next to the downspout will help you figure out where to connect it.You can connect it with the elbow of the downspout.The rain barrel has a height of one inch.Water will pour directly into the barrel if you attach the downspout elbow.Cut the downspout with a hacksaw.The elbow should be connected to the downspout.Attach it with screws, make sure they're tight.The end of the elbow needs to dip into the barrel to collect the water.The water should not be pouring into the barrel from above.
Step 11: The barrel should be connected to the elbow.
If the barrel has a lid, use the hacksaw to cut a hole large enough for the end of the elbow to fit inside.The metal screen can be used to cover the hole.
Step 12: A filter is placed at the top of the downspout.
This will keep leaves and other debris out of the rain water collection system.
Step 13: The additional barrels need to be connected.
You can connect lengths of hose to the valves if you have more barrels.