Make a Rain Barrel

Locating Your Barrel

Finding the perfect spot

Where do you intend to use the water? Do you have gutters? If so, where are the downspouts? No gutters? Where does the most water come from the roof? A roof valley can provide a lot of water.

Gravity is your friend.

Be sure that the barrel is uphill from the area that you will use the water. Water will not flow uphill without a pump.

Most folks put the barrel on concrete blocks or some other very sturdy platform. The gives better flow and easier access to the spigot. The platform must be able to support 400+ lbs. and it must be level.

Ideally the ground around your barrel should be sloped away from the house. Some clever people create a dry stream bed that leads water away from the barrel.

A full barrel weighs over 400lbs., be sure that it cannot tip over. Also be sure that the base is very strong and stable. Most decks are not designed for such a load in a small space. If you place the rain barrel on your deck, the deck will likely need to be reinforced.

Where will you direct the overflow? In Alabama, you will have plenty of overflow, plan on utilizing that overflow as a secondary resource.