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How to Make a Rain Barrel

Carrie T. Stevenson

Escambia County Extension

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Hardware Needed

One brass faucet/hose bibb

One MH x MIP brass hose adapter

Two 1 special female adapters, PVC Two 1 x threaded bushings, PVC

One 6 garden hose connector

One 4 round grate, plastic

One 4-6 square piece of screen material

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Hardware

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Equipment Needed

Drill

1 hole bit

4 hole bit or jigsaw 12 adjustable wrench

12 channel lock pliers

Waterproof glue

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Additional Parts for Drainage

(may vary based on individual gutter system)

2 x 3 x 4 S&D downspout adapter

A-B elbow cover

Flex elbow

4 concrete blocks or equivalent (to raise barrel

so water will flow, and to create a level

surface)

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The Container

Industrial juice/pickle barrel

Large heavy duty garbage can

Wooden whiskey barrel

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Brass faucet/hose bibb

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MH x MIP brass hose adapter

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Two 1 special female adapters, PVC

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Two 1 x threaded bushings, PVC

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6 garden hose connector

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4 round grate, plastic

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Step 1: Clean barrel and lid

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Step 2: Faucet Assembly

Drill spigot hole with 1 hole saw

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Step 2: Faucet Assembly

Place 1 x PVC bushing into hole from

outside of barrel

Screw 1 PVC special female adapter ontobushing inside of barrel

View down into barrel with female

adapter installed

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Step 2: Faucet Assembly

Install brass assembly into PVC bushing on

outside of barrel

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Step 3: Overflow Valve

Using 1 hole saw, drill a hole on side of

barrel close to top for overflow valve

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Step 3: Overflow Valve

Place 1 x PVC bushing into hole from

outside of barrel

Screw 1 PVC special female adapter ontobushing inside of barrel

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Step 3: Overflow Valve

Install brass hose adapter onto PVC bushing

on outside of barrel

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Step 3: Overflow Valve

Install 6 garden hose connector to brass

fitting to direct overflow away from house

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Step 4: Rain Intake

Cut a 4 circle out of screen material so that it

fits inside the 4 round grate

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Step 4: Rain Intake

Drill 4 hole in center of lid (can also be cut

with a jigsaw)

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Step 4: Rain Intake

Turn barrel lid upside down and insert

threaded portion of grate; secure grate with

waterproof glue

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Step 4: Rain Intake

After drying, raised catch area should be

through the top of the lid, place screen into

grate

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Step 5: Gutter Attachment

This barrel was attached

using a flex elbow and

an A-B elbow

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Need More Information?

Escambia County Extension

3740 Stefani RoadCantonment, FL 32533

850-475-5230ctsteven@ufl.edu