How To Set Up A Rain Barrel

Spring has finally sprung here in Minnesota, and it’s the perfect time to set up my rain barrels. My rain barrels have been in storage all winter, and I’ve really missed them. I’m excited to get to use them again! It sounds like it’s a big, complex task… but installing a rain barrel is actually pretty easy. Follow my simple rain barrel setup instructions to get yours ready to go…

I love to use my rain barrels for harvesting rainwater, and use the water all the time during the summer! Rainwater is the healthiest type of water you can use for your plants and gardens, and a rain barrel can really be helpful during periods of drought.

I use the rainwater I collect to water my summer containers and my houseplants, watering the gardens, and also for filling up my pond when the water gets low.

If you don’t have a rain barrel yet, but want to get one, here’s a really cute decorative one that would be great for beginners, and you can shop for more here.

Where To Put Your Rain Barrel

Before setting up a rain barrel, you’ll need to decide where to put it. Look at all of the downspouts on your house, shed or garage, and choose one that is in a location that’s easy to get to.

The ground under the downspout should be fairly level, so consider that when selecting the spot for your rain barrel too.

Related Post: The Benefits Of A Rain Barrel

You’ll also need a few tools for setting up a rain barrel. A level would be a very helpful tool to use to make sure the rain barrel is level. You will need to remove parts of the downspout, so grab a ladder and a screwdriver too.

Downspout Before Setting Up My Rain Barrel

Easy Rain Barrel Setup Steps

1. Remove the downspout. This is where the ladder and the screwdriver will come in handy. Find a seam in the gutter that is close to where the top of the rain barrel will be and simply unscrew the downspout to remove it.

Tubing Replaces The Downspout

2. Level the rain barrel. Once the rain barrel is full of water, it will get really heavy. You want it to be as level as possible so it won’t fall over. Place the rain barrel in the spot where it will sit to see how level it is.

You may need to dig out or add soil to the spot to level out the rain barrel. Consider adding a couple of concrete blocks under the rain barrel to raise it off the ground and make it easier to get the water out. Elevating the rain barrel also helps with water pressure.

Rain Barrel Elevated With Hose Attached

3. Add flexible downspout tubing to direct the rainwater into the rain barrel (here’s the downspout tubing I use). Secure the tubing using the screws from the original downspout so it won’t blow away.

You may need to drill or poke holes in the tubing in order to screw it to the gutter. Adjust the tubing so it empties into the rain barrel.

Flexible Tubing For Rain Barrel

4. Control the overflow. My rain barrels have an overflow spout near the top. I don’t want the overflow valve to empty out next to the house, so I use a cut off piece of an old hose to control the overflow.

At the bottom of this picture, you can see the hose goes into the hole where the original downspout drains normally.

If you have concerns about water leaking into your basement, you can buy a downspout diverter attachment that will allow the excess water to flow through your gutter like it normally would, once the rain barrel is full.

You can also find rain barrel diverter kits to make installing your rain barrel even easier.

Rain Barrel Overflow

That’s it! My rain barrel setup is complete, and I’m ready to start harvesting rainwater for my plants! See, I told you that setting up a rain barrel is really easy.

Related Post: How Do Rain Barrels Work?

Rain Barrel all set up

More Rain Barrel Setup Tips

• If you live in a warm climate, your rain barrel can stay in place year round (although you may want to drain it and rinse it out a few times a year). But, if you’re in a cold climate like me, it needs to be drained and stored every the fall. To overwinter my rain barrels, I completely drain them and remove the spigots before freezing temperatures arrive. After emptying the rain barrel, I simply replace the section of downspout I removed in the spring.
• My rain barrels are the kind that fill up through the top, which is wide open. In order to keep the debris from the roof out, (and also keep mosquitoes from breeding in my rain barrels), I found some old screen material in the garage and cut it to fit over the opening, then I secured it under the lid.
• To make it easier for filling water jugs and watering, I use a cut off piece of old hose and attach it to the spigot on my rain barrel.

Screen Covers Hole In Top Of Rain Barrel

Do you have a rain barrel? Tell me about your rain barrel setup in the comments below.