We try to conserve as much as possible at our house; solar on our home with LED and compact florescent light bulbs to help keep consumption down. Dual flush toilet to lower water bills and now we have rain barrels. Two different types:
The first one is a "kit" purchased from the store that Mister added to a 50 gallon plastic barrel that we bought separately. He had to cut a hole in the side for the spigot (we had to purchase as well) and another hole at the top for run off and overflow. He then had to cut the downspout on the gutter and add their diverter piece. This allows some of the water to go into the barrel and the rest to go down the spout like it normally would. There is a black hose that goes from the diverter to another hole for the water to go into. I got to pick the color we painted the barrel and we sat it on tumbled stones for a little height. Even though this is somewhat hidden-it was difficult to cut the downspout with out ruining it and then having to put it back together again was tough.
The second rain barrel is Mister's version and I believe this is the style that we are going with from now on. We painted it the same color as well as putting it on the tumbled stones to keep it level and from sinking into the ground from the weight of the water. Mister drilled a hole and installed the spigot at the bottom. Instead of the diverter we shortened the gutter downspout and put a drain with mosquito screen on it. Much quicker to make and quicker to fill the barrel since all of the water goes into it. Mister drilled a hole on the side and put in a spout for run over.
Now the garden will get even more rain water and the plants in the greenhouse will benefit as well.
Until next time~Old Wives Pails
The first one is a "kit" purchased from the store that Mister added to a 50 gallon plastic barrel that we bought separately. He had to cut a hole in the side for the spigot (we had to purchase as well) and another hole at the top for run off and overflow. He then had to cut the downspout on the gutter and add their diverter piece. This allows some of the water to go into the barrel and the rest to go down the spout like it normally would. There is a black hose that goes from the diverter to another hole for the water to go into. I got to pick the color we painted the barrel and we sat it on tumbled stones for a little height. Even though this is somewhat hidden-it was difficult to cut the downspout with out ruining it and then having to put it back together again was tough.
The second rain barrel is Mister's version and I believe this is the style that we are going with from now on. We painted it the same color as well as putting it on the tumbled stones to keep it level and from sinking into the ground from the weight of the water. Mister drilled a hole and installed the spigot at the bottom. Instead of the diverter we shortened the gutter downspout and put a drain with mosquito screen on it. Much quicker to make and quicker to fill the barrel since all of the water goes into it. Mister drilled a hole on the side and put in a spout for run over.
Until next time~Old Wives Pails
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