Installing a Rain Barrel for Beginners

Rain barrels are a great way to improve the sustainability of your garden. Capturing rain not only helps you get through periods with no rain but helps save money on your water bill. Today I am going to go through how I installed my rain barrel system.

You can purchase rain barrels from most big box stores however most product reviews complain of leaks and poorly functional systems. For this reason I have decided to build my own.

Selecting a location for a rain barrel is important. What you want to think of is ease of access for use in your garden but the catchment area of the roof.

I selected a down spout in my back yard that has a catchment of about 1/3 of my roof. This should allow me to catch a good amount of water even if the rain is light.

0:05 Why I built a Rain Barrel
0:48 Building a Concrete Platform
2:32 Converting to Rain Barrels
4:02 Installing Taps and Connectors
5:26 Installing Barrel Connectors
7:14 Installing Downspout Diverter
0:26 Bug Netting
9:06 Winterizing Rain Barrels

Check us out on Facebook:

[sibenchley]

very good video thank you. it's really crazy how we live in a world, where new houses do not come with water catching systems pre installed.

[galaxydreaming]

It's 4 years later and I'm wondering if he got his jig saw back... we need a follow up video please 😁

[DrSirmacek]

I love how you made this extendable! You can add more barrels when you want. Amazing.

[KE]

If you have enough room inside your home or a outbuilding that won't get down to freezing the collected water can be transferred to an inside barrel and used to water indoor plants. I've been doing this and found that the indoor plants when given this kind of water rather than tap water do so much better and look so much healthier too.

[duckyluver]

This was the most thorough rain barrel video I've found. Thank you!

[raemckay]

I've lived in an apartment for my entire adult life but finally bought a house last fall. I've known I've wanted to have rain barrels on my property, but I had no idea how to go about doing that. This video comes at precisely the perfect time. Thanks, Steven! Best wishes from Calgary. <3

[metomynon]

Awesome video. The pacing was perfect – with this much info, other creators would have clocked in at a half hour plus, but with this pace it's easy to watch and rewatch. Thanks 10^6!

[allonadollar]

Dear Sir,

Thank you so much for this tutorial. This year we bought 2 rain water barrels from Home depot and followed your step by step instruction to connect them to our water spout and it works fabulously. My husband is a big fan of yours. God bless you and your family for sharing this knowledge.
With best regards from Shreematha and Pacchaiyappan USA.

[StarryHilder]

So glad you posted this!!! We talk about our off grid homestead and the importance of water!! Liquid gold is what I call it!!! and as far as we are concerned..EVERYONE should have a rain catchment...as long as you live where its LEGAL its a great water option for all to have!!

[antoniomerlo]

you beautiful Canadian Chris Pratt are so clear and concise with this process, save my life THANKS !!!!

[michaelsoltesz]

Chris Pratt is a very versatile person! He also makes great Youtube videos about rain barrel usage.. Thank you, sir! 🤗

[seattlejayde]

This was excellent and one of the most comprehensive rain barrel how to's that I have seen! You even showed us what grade of plastic barrel to seek. Awesome work!

[DevotedMomTravel]

That was amazingly thorough. Very well put together. This was the best video on rain barrels. Thankyou!

[CandiceWA]

Wish you have purchasing list for all the parts, great video, thanks.

[nathanhoneycutt]

Great video! Just a note, the connection between the two barrels will work better if placed at the bottom of the system. Instead of 2 40 gallon barrels, you would then have 1 80 gallon system, creating better pressure for the hose (and more convenient).

[BenDonahower]

This is a waaaay better set up than completely diverting my downspout. Thanks!

[MIgardener]

rain barrels are great! But I can't believe there are states where it is illegal. Shocking. I'm glad it isn't illegal here in Michigan, because I would do it anyways. Great video Steven!

[leostramberg]

Just a technical point; the Teflon tape is NOT meant to be used on those threads in this application as the seal is made with the large black rubber washer on the inside of the barrel. (the threads do not require taping.)

[deakemarschall]

Great set-up. I love that base you created. Rock solid. I may have to copy that for my barrels.

[richm]

Thank you. This was a really great video. It was especially relevant since I'm working with very uneven ground and need to create a really good foundation for a barrel that weighs that much.