Do you need help connecting your rain barrel? On this page you will find helpful tips for both preparation and the actual assembly. This article also introduces you to two methods that you can choose between depending on your requirements and craftsmanship.
How do you connect a rain barrel correctly?
To connect a rain barrel, first assemble the barrel and create a platform. Then either mount an attachment pipe directly to the rain gutter or connect the barrel to the downpipe with a garden hose connection to avoid flooding.
Preparation
Before you can connect your rain barrel, two steps are required:
- Assemble the rain barrel
- Build a platform
Assemble the rain barrel
Fortunately, when you buy a rain barrel, it usually comes with the right accessories (€14.00 on Amazon) to make the water storage tank functional. These steps are typically required for setup:
- Screw the outlet tap firmly into the designated place.
- If necessary, you may have to punch out the hole that has already been punched out.
- Insert the barrel here.
- Drill a hole in the lid to direct the downspout into the bin.
Build a platform
Use dry bricks for your pedestal. Wood is rather unsuitable due to its low longevity. When stacking the stones, make sure the surface is level. Complete your landing with a paving slab. Before you set up the barrel, you should check the stability again and make improvements if necessary. You can find detailed instructions on how to build a base for the rain barrel yourself here.
Connecting the rain barrel
You have two options to choose from for assembling your rain barrel, each of which differs slightly in difficulty:
Variant 1
- Choose a location immediately next to the gutter.
- A pipe is required to direct the rainwater from the gutter into the barrel.
- Drill a hole in the gutter to connect.
- Assemble the attachment tube.
- Make sure your rain barrel has overflow protection.
Variant 2
- The following method allows you to set up the rain barrel even five meters away from the gutter.
- It also protects against overflow.
- In this case, the attachment pipe has a connection for the garden hose.
- Drill a precisely fitting hole in the downpipe here too.
- Mount the extension tube at this point.
- Connect the connecting pipe and rain barrel with a garden hose.
- The rain barrel inlet and the outlet of the hose on the downpipe must be at the same height to prevent the water from flowing back.
- The distance from the top edge of the rain barrel to the inlet of the garden hose must be at least 10 cm to prevent overflow.
