Setting up your Rain Barrel

Setting up a rain barrel can easily be a one-person job.

First, locate the downspout that services the largest roof area and assess if this location is convenient for rain barrel placement. A full rain barrel can weigh up to 500 lbs.

Raise the rain barrel enough off the ground to fit a watering can underneath it and to make use of gravity. A barrel stand  or concrete blocks works well.

Disconnect the “elbow” at the bottom of your downspout this will be reconnected once the downspout has been cut. Measure and cut the downspout to a lenght that when the elbow piece is reattached to the cut downspout it sits just above the screened opening at the top of the rain barrel.

Attach a garden hose to your overflow and place it where you would like the excess rain to go once your rain barrel is full. Better yet connect to a second rain barrel, placing the second one slighty lower then the first.

Congratulations! You are now ready to harvest the rain.