You can purchase a rain barrel at a hardware store, but if you prefer to make one yourself, follow these simple steps to make one at home using a heavy duty plastic trash can. It only takes a few minutes, and the cost savings are substantial.

Total construction time averages 10 to 15 minutes, and the cost is approximately $75 depending on the size of the trash can purchased.

Parts you’ll need:

• 1 – Heavy duty trash can
• 1 – ½” Hose bib
• 1 – 6” Chimney pipe trim collar
• 2 – ½” Faucet tailpipe nuts
• 2 – #15 O-rings
• 1 – ½” Threaded nipple
• 1 – ½” Threaded PVC extender
• 4 – Small screws
• 1 – piece 7”x 7” nylon screen

Tools:

• Drill w/ screw tip
• ¾” paddle drill bit
• Tin Snips or Jig Saw

Directions:

• Drill ¾” hole approximately 3” to 4” from bottom of barrel.
• Drill ¾” hole near top of barrel.
• Screw ½” threaded nipple into hose bib and insert into bottom hole.
• Slide O-ring over threaded nipple from inside of barrel and screw on faucet tailpipe nut until secure.
• Insert ½” threaded PVC extender into upper hole.
• Slide O-ring onto threaded end from inside and secure with faucet tailpipe nut.
• Cut 5” hole in trash can lid using tin snips or jigsaw.
• Trim nylon screening to fit chimney pipe trim collar.
• Place screen, then trim cover over hole in lid and attach with screws.
• Trim downspout where rain barrel will be installed to fit the height of your new rain barrel.
• Align the downspout to drain into the chimney collar.
• It is recommended to sit the rain barrel on two concrete blocks to provide for a level surface.

Congratulations for installing a rain barrel! You have done a great thing to conserve water and reduce stormwater runoff. You rock!