Introduction
Rain barrels are all the rage these days, and for good reason. You may think that capturing rainwater is a strange idea, but it’s actually an easy way to help the environment while also saving money on your monthly water bill. And did I mention they are easy to make? My own rain barrel was made from $30 worth of materials from my local hardware store, and it took me only 30 minutes to put together. Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions for building your own rain barrel quickly and easily.
Why you should make a rain barrel
So, why should you make a rain barrel? Well, because it’s cheap to make and saves you money on your water bill. If you’re like me and hate paying for water that goes down the drain, this is for you. Also, it reduces your carbon footprint since less energy is needed to treat and pump water from the ground then from a remote source.
What you need to make your own rain barrel
You’ll need a 55-gallon drum and a spigot. If you don’t have access to one, look for an old barrel at a local farm or hardware store. You can also buy one online from sites like Amazon—though they may be more expensive there than at your local store.
The spigot will cost you about $10 depending on where you buy it, but make sure that it fits with your barrel before buying. Remember: if it doesn’t fit, then return it!
How to make your own rain barrel
Installing your rain barrel
- Consider the location of your rain barrel. The best spot for a rain barrel is one that’s close to the downspout, but also has an area for it to drain into (your garden or lawn).
- If you’re doing this project yourself, remember that drilling holes into cement can be difficult without the right tools—if you don’t have a drill bit that’s specifically designed for concrete, try using some kind of diamond-coated saw blade tool instead of drilling directly into the cement itself. Remember: don’t use any power tools near water!
Making a rain barrel is easy, it helps the environment, and anyone can do it.
You can make a rain barrel in just a weekend. Rain barrels are simple to make, easy to install and use, and easy to maintain. They’re also very easy to clean and move if you need the space for something else.
Conclusion
It’s not as hard as you think! We’d love to hear from you if you have any questions or comments. Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below, and make sure to check out our other articles on the benefits of harvesting rainwater here
Anns is a contributor at GardenerPlace. We are committed to providing well-researched, accurate, and valuable content to our readers.
