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Category: Tremors

Rain Barrel for Garden Watering

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Rain Barrel for Garden Watering is designed for adults with upper extremity disabilities to water their garden or grass by collecting rainwater into barrels to be used at a later time.

Technical Specifications: 

Step One: Gather materials.

  • 2 x 55-gallon food grade safe barrels.
  • 2 x 2-inch DWV MIP Adapter.
  • 2 x 2-inch DWV Street Elbow 90 degree Spigot x Hub.
  • 1 x 2-inch PVC Pipe 8 feet.
  • 2 x 2-inch PVC Tee (t section = 1 ½-inch opening).
  • 2 x 1 1/2-inch x ¾-inch PVC Schedule 40 Bushing Spigot x FIPT.
  • 2 x ¾-inch Short Galvanized Nipple.
  • 2 x ¾-inch PVC Ball Valve.
  • 2 x ¾-inch MPT x ¾-inch MHT adapter with red valve.
  • 1 x Plumber putty.
  • 1 x 8 feet downspout extension.
  • 1 x downspout adapter with twist on (Connects downspout to extension).
  • A lot of extra garden bricks.
  • Drill.
  • Utility knife.
  • Drill bits.
  • Hacksaw.
  • Measuring tape.

Step 2: Build the Valve. Leave one connected permanently to a hose, and the user has the option of filling up jugs, water guns, etc. without having to disconnect the hose.

  1. Screw the ¾-inch MPT x MHT adapter into one end of the threaded valve.
  2. Screw the ¾-inch nipple into the other end of the threaded valve.
  3. Screw the other end of the nipple into the ¾-inch PVC Schedule 40 Bushing Spigot x FIPT.
  4. Insert the assembled parts into the 1 ½-inch section of the PVC Tee.
  5. Repeat steps 1-4 for the second valve.
  6. Cut a piece of PVC tube.
  7. Connect valves together with PVC tube.

Step 3: Connect the Valves and Barrels Together. Connect this upside down to make it easier to see what it looks like when it is connected. Ideally, this will be done after placing the barrels in place.

  1. Unscrew one of the bung holes in each barrel.
  2. Screw in DWV MIP Adapter into the bunghole.
  3. Connect elbow to the DWV MIP Adapter.
  4. Connect assembled valve piece (from the previous step) to the elbows to join the barrels together.

Step 4: Build the Platform. There are several different ways to build a platform for these. The user wants to make sure that the barrels are high enough that gravity will do its magic to help keep the pressure up.

Note: This is not the user’s final placement.

Step 5: Connect the Downspout to Barrels.

  1. Determine where the user will place the hole in the barrel. Make a mark where the user wants to drill the hole.
  2. Using a drill, drill a hole into the barrel.
  3. Using some force and a screwdriver, connect the downspout extension into the hole.
  4. Determine where to cut into the downspout.
  5. Using the hacksaw, cut out a section of the downspout.
  6. Connect the other end of the extension to the downspout.
  7. Using zip ties, secure the extension to the downspout.

Step 6: Overflow and Pressure Holes.

Note: It is important to consider what to do if the user has too much water. To overcome this, drill out a small hole on the side of the barrel that will act as an overflow. Then, connect some tubing to this and run it away from the house to the grass.

  1. Using a drill bit, drill several small holes near the top of the barrels to allow air flow in and out to help with the pressure.

Step 7: Water Test. If there are leaks, use plumbers putty around the hole.

Step 8: Enjoy Free Water.

Available

Price Check
as of: 
04/24/2019
Additional Pricing Notes: 
Do it yourself.
Seller(s): 
Rain Barrel for Garden Watering