Building a functional rain barrel turns out to be more complex than expected. Of course, you also benefit from cost savings and environmental protection when you set up a simple bin in the garden. However, useful accessories make operation much easier. In addition to a drain tap and a possible connection, a hose is also recommended. Read this article to find out how to connect it and what benefits you get from it.
How do I connect a hose to my rain barrel?
To connect a hose to a rain barrel, you need an attachment pipe (€63.00 on Amazon) with a hose connection. Cut a hole in the downpipe, insert the extension pipe, drill a hole in the rain barrel and connect both with the hose.
Why connect a hose?
- More flexibility
- Automatic watering
- Overflow protection
More flexibility
So that you can specifically collect rainwater, you must connect your rain barrel to a downpipe. This normally requires a location directly on the gutter. However, if you connect a hose, you have the option of setting up your rain barrel around five meters away. This is particularly advantageous if you want to hide your rain barrel due to its unsightly appearance.
Automatic watering
Of course you use the water from your rain barrel primarily for watering flowers. Isn't it tedious to constantly dip the watering can over the edge to draw water? A connected hose that you lay in the garden transports the water into the beds all by itself. You can, for example, water your greenhouse without having to do anything yourself. It is important that there is a water pressure of at least 0.5 bar in the barrel. Only under this condition will the water flow into the hose on its own. If necessary, you may have to set up the rain barrel in an elevated place.
Overflow protection
Some days it rains nonstop. A blessing for people who collect precipitation and use it for the garden or household. It's only annoying when the volume exceeds the capacity of the rain barrel and the water overflows and gets lost in the ground. By connecting two rain barrels together you avoid this waste. Once one bin is full, it passes the water on to the next container. A hose is the simplest connection between the rain barrels.
Connect the hose to the rain barrel and downpipe
- You need an attachment pipe (€63.00 on Amazon) with a hose connection.
- Cut an appropriately sized hole from the downpipe.
- Insert the clip-on tube.
- Drill a hole in the rain barrel 10 cm below the top edge.
- Connect the extension pipe and rain barrel with the hose.
