How To Make Your Own Rain Barrel System

This article is going to focus on a cheap (and often free) sustainability project you can do in a very short time. We're going to be looking at how to make your own rain barrel system to conserve water from a shed roof, or any roof that could be used as a collecting system for rain water.

I'll be using some infographics for easy of instruction, and also some inspirational pictures that others are using to create their own water storage barrels for rainwater collection.

It's an ideal project for country or urban homesteading, whether you live in the country or the city. Water conservation for use on vegetable gardens should be high priority. Becoming less reliant on utility services is a good goal, and this little project is easy.

What Is A Rain Barrel?

A rain barrel, often known as a water butt or rain butt, is a simple but highly effective way to store run off rainwater from a roof, usually an outbuilding or garden shed.

It's typically constructed from a 50 - 100 gallon plastic barrel, either purpose made or repurposed. It will generally have a tap or water outlet near the base, and an opening on the top.

Where Is It Located?

A downspout, from a roof gutter enters the top of the rain barrel and water from a rain event is stored in it for use at a later date. It is also possible to use the rain barrel system as a way to divert rainwater from your gutters before it enters the mains drainage system.

This requires that your main vertical down pipe from your guttering system is diverted into the rain barrel. An overflow pipe leaves the rain barrel near the top, where any overflow water re-enters the mains drainage and returns to the city's stormwater system.

How Do I Use The Stored Rainwater?

As mentioned, the rainwater barrel system is used to store run off water from a roof. A tap outlet close to the bottom of the barrel allows you to fill watering cans, or attach a hose pip to make use of gravity to water your garden.

A great idea is to have the rainwater barrel on a stand, raising it off the ground 2-3 ft, allowing you to draw water off when you want to. Additionally, lifting the barrel provides a small 'head' of water, allowing a little pressure  if you use a garden hose further down the garden.

Advantages Of Using A Rain Barrel System

Urban rainwater can be costly, particularly if you are in a metered area. The use of a rain barrel can reduce water bills and provide clean water, free from many of the additions that are added by city water authorities, chlorine being a case in point.

From a sustainability point of view, anything a homesteader can do to reduce their reliance on external sources (water being pumped to your home via a utility company) improves our environmental footprint.

How Easy Is A Rain Barrel System To Install?

If you have a shed or outbuilding, with a guttering system already attached, adding a rain water storage barrel is easy. A little diverting of vertical downpipes and redirecting of overflow pipes from the barrel takes a few minutes and a handful of angled bends to redirect your pipework. I'll provide some links to a rain barrel diverter kit in  moment.

If you are planning to redirect from your home waste water system, the process is the same, although it might be more important for you to do a neater job here, and perhaps use a purpose made rain barrel system, rather than a DIY rain barrel kit.

Here's a list of some useful  items that you can purchase over on Amazon:

Rain Barrel - Good Ideas 40 Gallon Barrel  |  EnviroWorld 55 Gallon Rain Barrel

Guttering Diverter Kit - Earth Minded Barrel Diverter  |  Oatley Rainwater Collection Kit  |  Flexible Downspout Extensions

Gutter Strainer | Product Link

There are plenty of other options out there you can see a variety of different products HERE, depending on the style of rain barrel system you want, but let's take a look at the basics of making one.

That provides some really simple steps on how to make a rain barrel system. You can buy a rain barrel kit at Home Depot or Lowes, or make one yourself as these ingenious and creative folks did.

What I love about this DIY home rain harvesting system is the ease of construction. A garbage can with a tap added, a slot cut out from the lid, and some gauze under the lid to keep debris out, and you're done. This home owner just piled bricks to lift it off the ground and bingo, it's done.

I like this 2nd trash can water catchment system. Super cheap, you may already have a spare trash can at home. With the flexible guttering (see earlier equipment links) it's really easy to just divert from the main house storm water system and 'borrow' a little rainwater for your plants.

The fittings can be bought on Amazon, or from a local plumbing merchant.

That just about concludes this article on how to make your own rain barrel system. It's easy, can be as low cost as you like, and does your bit for the planet. Your plants will also love you for it.

Until next time.

Happy Rainwater Collection!