Drill with 1/8 bit to remove rivets from downspout if any
Screw driver to remove screws from downspout if any
Small ladder to cut downspout at proper height
Pencil to mark downspout cutting height
Extra Downspout straps if needed
Small self tapping metal screws or rivet gun
Flexible hose that will stretch up to 55
Clear level space 24 x 24 for barrel placement
Shovel to level the area where barrel will be placed
Bricks, blocks or stand to place rain barrel that will hold up to 500lbs
Plan to spend at least one hour per barrel and follow these instructions:
Step1 ■Preparing the location:
When you have decided where you want your barrel clear that area of any lose materials such as mulch, pine straw, leaves, etc.You will need a solid foundation to handle the weight of the barrel (a full barrel weighsalmost 500lbs).Having at least a solid dirt foundation is required. You can add additional materials (sand, gravel, etc) to the foundation and cap off with bricks or blocks to raise the barrel for easy access to the spigot. Our stands raises your barrel 10 off the ground.
When deciding where to place your rain barrel keep in mind that one barrel on a large roof will overflow rapidly in a heavy downpour. Our barrels come with right and left side overflow valves. Each barrel comes with a single overflow valve plug to force the overflow water to the opposite sideof the barrel. The overflow valves can receive a 1 PVC pipe or 1 outside diameter (1OD) clear braded flexible PVC hose to help redirect the overflow to a designated area. You also can place a splash block under the overflow valve to help the water move away from your homes foundation.
Ifyou have and underground corrugated 4 pipe at the end of your downspout, you will need one of our automatic overflow attachments.This attachment will force the water overflow from your barrel back to the underground pipe so that the water will continue to flow away from your home.
Flex Hose Adapter & left and right overflow valves
Underground drain pipe
Step2 ■Setting up the Rain Barrel:
Place the barrel in the designated spot making sure its level and sitting on the base you are using.
Place the flexible hose in the flexible hose adapter on top of the rain barrel
Extend the flexible hose to the downspout to determine where to mark your downspout for cutting.(If the flexible hose is not long enough, you need to extend it by placing the hose between your knees and pulling with both hands) The water should flow freely through the hose into the barrel.
Pencil mark 3 to 4 below where the flexible hose intersects with the downspout.This is where you will cut your downspout (step 3).Its important to mark 3-4 inches below because your downspout will be inserted about 3-4 inches inside the flexible hose.
Step3 ■Install flexible downspout hose: 1.Remove the barrel for easy access to downspout.
2.Cut the downspout at the pencil mark as straight as possible with the saw, you will need to remove any downspout straps below the cut to remove the unneeded downspout. If possible try to cut the downspout under at least one strap that remains attached. The straps hold the downspout to the house. If after installation the downspout is wobbly you should attach an additional strap to secure the downspout. If you have to do this attach it at least 5 to 6 inches higher than where the flexible hose is attached.
3.Maneuver the wide end of the flexible hose around the cut end of the downspout and slide it up 3 to 4 inches.
4.Insert the self tapping screws over the indented nipple on the flexible hose and screw it securelythrough the downspout. If you have a rivet gun drill a 1/8 hole through the flex hose and the downspout and inert the rivet.
5.Return the barrel to its designated spot, reattach the flex hose to the flex hose adapter on top of the barrel and get ready for the rain.
