How To Install A Rain Barrel

Disclaimer: With proper installation, maintenance and use, your rain barrel should function properly. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and Openlands assume no liability for the installation, maintenance or use of your rain barrel. We are not responsible for any rain barrel malfunction; property damage or injury associated with your rain barrel malfunction; property damage or injury associated with your rain barrel, its accessories or contents.

[bohemianation]

I have 3 barrels a total of 150 gallons when full. Typical watering can holds 2.5 gallons of water. It takes 20 watering cans to water my garden so you can see 150 gallons can go quick. This season im closing in on 1, 000 gallons

[heatherbenek]

Thank you, using this as a guide for my first rain barrel!

[peggyclementz]

Clear, thorough steps, but hoping to enlist some help. Liked materials list!

[Alejoproa]

Thank you so much Gabriella!! amazing video so easy to follow I'm going to installed my rain barrels today!!

[shake]

Oh wow. Thanks. Thought I may have to hire someone but I’m sure I can do this. Perfect tutorial!

[whiteweasel]

To anyone planning to do this in their yard: don't use it on crops. Rain barrel water captured in this way is not considered potable, since it's running off of your roof. It's perfect for ornamentals/grass/etc but you shouldn't put this on something you plan to eat later.

[BWVan]

Nice video! I didn't realize it was so simple

[jeffcunningham]

The hose diameter will handle the overflow during a high period of rainfall?
Seems small to me and that the barrel will overflow it’s rim during this (probably) short but possible period of time.
Maybe drain the barrel before a storm to avoid.
Thanks for the short video.

[Hazel]

EBMUD states on its website regarding the use of rainwater harvested from a roof covered with asphalt shingles: “….While any material is usually acceptable, asphalt shingles may leach toxins and should not be used to collect water for vegetable gardens. ”

[UltramaticOrange]

me, at 0:05 - shit, this looks like any given neighborhood in Chicago
them, at 0:10 - "We've teamed up with the metropolitan water reclamation district of greater Chicago..."

[shannonk]

Gabriella you're a rock star. :)

[cu]

Fantastic!  Does your rain barrel have a screen to keep mosquitos out??  Hope so!

[donttreadonme]

Anybody watching this for your new garden this viral season?

[PartyUpLive]

Definitely plan on doing this. I want to have two barrels side by side. I thought about 3 but seems like overkill? Will have someone install them though as the area I want to put them a downspout will have to be added.

[videoswithvince]

Hooking up a hose to the rain barrel to water your garden or wash your car is pointless unless you are OK with a trickle of water pressure. I notice not a word is mentioned about this even though you claim that 'washing your car and watering your garden' is possible with this system. The rain barrel needs to be significantly higher than the area you plan to water in order to get decent water pressure. Even after installing the largest spigot possible (which I did) you will still get an inadequate amount of flow. After doing further research, I learned that indeed, one needs a water pump to obtain a reasonable amount of water pressure. This system is good for placing a watering can directly under the spigot but useless for a hose hook up without a water pump.

[jiva]

Does the rain water glowing down the flexible spout splash out of the top of the rain barrel and splash onto the building before going into the barrel in a hard rain?

[harsh]

Does it come with a screen to keep the leaves out that comes with the storm water from the gutters

[arvinl]

What do you do in winter season? store inside garage or leave outside?

[naomiejurkiw]

How do you cap off the other end to the sewer?

[luismarrero]

why connect a hose to the top of the barrel wouldn’t that defeat the purpose of gravity to water the garden