♪ (music) ♪
Rain barrels are a great way to collect
stormwater runoff from your roof
and conserve the water to use at a later time
to water your landscaping or garden
usually during a dry spell.
Rain barrels are connected directly to your downspout
to collect the stormwater runoff.
Installing a rainbarrel yourself
is easy especially using these video instructions
The first step is to determine a location
determine which downspout is ideal
for connecting your rain barrel.
When selecting a downspout
you may want to consider the following:
your rain barrel should be fairly close
to the sites you want to water.
Make sure your barrel does not impede
any access to doors paths or equipment
such as air conditioning units.
Also, ensure it is not in a main traffic path
And consider where your rain barrel will overflow
You can attach it to a second barrel
or hook up a soaker hose.
The second step is to select a diverter.
There are a number of different types
of diverters that are available.
There is a standard diverter
that is sold locally by the city of Lafayette.
A Save the Rain Metal diverter
which is available online.
Or you can use a flexible downspout extension
or a rigid downspout elbow with an extension.
And these are available at your local hardware store
The type of diverter is usually determined
by personal choice
but if you have limited options
for placement of your rainbarrel
for example if you cannot get your rain barrel
right next to the downspout
you may need the flexible extension
or the standard diverter
Step 3 you will need to collect your tools.
for this installation you'll need
a rain barrel diverter,
a hacksaw,
a straight edge (a T-square works great for this)
a marker,
a pair of tin snips,
and a screwdriver.
make sure you have a screwdriver
that matches the screws
so you can unscrew the wraps or braces
which currently attach your downspout to your house.
The fourth step is to construct a purchase of a base
and make sure the base of your rain barrel
is nice and level
Prepare the location of your rain barrel by clearing
any debris from the area where your base will stand.
You will want to construct or purchase a base
for your rain barrel
and ensure that the base is level and elevated
The bottom of the rain barrel should be elevated
at least slightly higher than your watering sight.
since you will be relying on gravity to pressurize
any hoses you attach to your rain barrel.
This also provides space
to fill a watering can from your rain barrel.
There are different ways to stabilize
and elevate your rain barrel including
using a stand made of pressure-treated wood
or using bricks or cement blocks.
Use gravel as a base for leveling
if using bricks or cement blocks.
Regardless of the type of stand
create a stable flat level surface
on which your rain barrel will be placed
Check this using a level.
Remember that 55 gallons of water
weighs almost 500 pounds
so it is important that the rain barrel be stable.
Place your stand on the stable surface
you've created for your rain barrel.
Place the rain barrel on the stand.
For the fifth step mark your downspout.
Using your straight edge draw a line on your downspout
where your diverter should be installed.
Where to mark your downspout
will be determined by which to diverter you have chosen
Use the T-square to ensure your line is parallel
with the ground.
If you are installing the standard diverter
spin the rain barrel until the black capped connector
is next to the downspout.
Then hold your straight edge level
with the black cap on the barrel
and use it to draw a line on the downspout.
It is very important that
your straight edge and mark is level.
If your mark is lower than the black-capped connector
your rain barrel will not fill
because the water will not flow up hill.
If your mark is higher than the black-capped connector
your rain barrel will continue to fill even when its full.
This is why it's important to have a plan for overflow
to another rain barrel or to a hose
If the mark is correct, when the rain barrel is full
the water will be diverted down the downspout.
If you are using the Save the Rain metal diverter
use a straight edge to draw a line approximately
9 inches above the top of your rain barrel.
Make sure your rain barrel
is on the stand before measuring
If you are using flexible or rigid downspouts
the discharge end should be within one 1/2 inch
of the top of the rain barrel to reduce splash
Line up the downspout and mark.
Remember that the 2 pieces overlap
so account for that space.
Remove the barrel from the stand
and move both it and the stand temporarily
out of the way.
The sixth step is to detach
the lower portion of the downspout
from the house.
Your downspout may be attached to the house
with an aluminum wrap or brace.
Unscrew the wrap from the lower portion
of the downspout
below where you marked your line
but leave the wrap attached to the house.
place the screws in a safe location
as you will need these again later.
The seventh step is to cut the downspout.
Using your hacksaw cut along the line
you drew on the downspout
You may want to slip a piece of cardboard
behind the downspout
to protect your house while you cut.
Set aside the bottom portion of your downspout
so that it's still within reach.
You will reattach this piece
if you are using standard diverter
or the Save the Rain metal diverter.
If using a flexible or rigid downspout
keep this piece and reinstall for winterization.
If you are installing the standard diverter
you will need to snip triangles out of the top portion
of the downspout.
Using your tin snips on the top portion of the downspout
cut a small triangle measuring
approximately 1 inch high
out of the side of the downspout, not the front.
Repeat this on both sides of the downspout
and discard the cutout triangles
Install a clip, brace,or strap
above where the diverter will be placed
approximately 4 to 6 inches
The eighth step is to fit the diverter to the downspout
if you are using the standard diverter
orient your diverter so that the hose points towards
where the rain barrel will be installed
Fit the diverter into the downspout.
The downspout should fit snuggly
over the round PVC pipe in the diverter
Connect the bottom portion of the downspout
to the diverter
by bringing back the bottom portion of the downspout
that you had previously set aside.
then fit over the round PVC pipe on the bottom
of the diverter.
If you are using the Save the Rain metal diverter
place the metal diverter over the top portion
of the downspout
the part that is still connected to the house
Connect the bottom portion of the downspout
into the bottom of the diverter.
You may need to crimp the sides of the downspout
to ensure the diverter fits correctly.
If you are using flexible or rigid downspouts
slip either the rigid elbow or flexible downspout
over the top portion of the downspout
the part that is still connected house to the house
If you're using a rigid elbow
place the rigid extension on the end of the elbow.
Secure the elbow to the downspout using small screws.
If you used a rigid extension
you will want to also secure the extension to the elbow.
The ninth step is to reattach the bottom portion
of the downspout to the house.
This is only if you are using a standard diverter
or the Save the Rain metal diverter.
Fit the downspout into the clip, brace, or strap
and replace the screws so that the downspout
is once again attached to the house
and the diverter as held firmly in place.
The tenth step is to complete the rain barrel installation.
Replace the stand and place the rain barrel
on the stand.
If you are using a standard diverter
spin the rain barrel so that the black capped connector
the one you used to mark your downspout
is orientated close to the diverter.
Unscrew the black cap from the rain barrel
and screw the diverter hose onto the rain barrel.
Save the black cap
as you will reattach this to the diverter hose
when you winterize your barrel.
If you are using the Save the Rain metal diverter
set the angle of the diverter so
that the water will flow into the top of the rain barrel
If you are using a flexible or rigid downspout
extend it or place the rigid extension
so that the end of the downspout is within one 1/2 inch
of the top of the rain barrel to minimize splash.
The final step is to winterize your rain barrel.
Disconnect and winterize your rain barrel
to prevent any damage to the rain barrel and downspout.
Drain your rain barrel using the last bit of stored water
for your landscaping or garden.
The best time to winterize your rain barrel
is on or around the first annual frost.
If you are using a standard diverter
removed the hose from the diverter
and install the black cap that you had saved.
Leave the hose attached to your rain barrel.
If you are using the Save the Rain metal diverter
flip the diverter up to close the downspout.
If you are using a flexible or rigid downspout
reinstall the bottom portion of the downspout you saved.
If you used a rigid downspout for water delivery to your rain barrel
remove the rigid pieces and replace them
with the flexible downspout.
Secure the flexible downspout to the top portion
of the downspout still connected to the house.
Cut four to six inches off the bottom portion
of the downspout that you had saved.
You may need to also add a clip, brace, or strap
to the house near the top of the bottom piece
of the downspout
Stretch the flexible downspout until it connects
with the lower portion of the downspout.
Once your rain barrel is disconnected
you can either flip the barrel upside down
and place a weight on top of it
preventing it from being blown over
or you can move the barrel into a garage or shed
for the winter.
♪ (music) ♪