I have had some requests for some step-by-step instructions for a recent project I completed so I am putting them up online as an easy reference for any of you who may be interested.

I decided to craft a rain barrel out of a used Temlpeton Rye whiskey barrel from the distillery. I found some plans online and used some of them and a little tinkering of my own to arrive at the design I’ve used.  A basic parts and tool list are as follows:

MATERIALS

Barrel

I chose the oak cask from one of my favorite whiskey distillers, but plastic would work too, just make sure it’s structurally intact (no holes or punctures.) Many people choose to use food-storage barrels. I suggest avoiding any barrels that once contained chemicals for obvious contamination reasons. 50gal or larger is best.

Base

Since I used an oak barrel, I purchased a half-barrel planter from the local hardware store for continuity. I rest my barrel atop this overturned planter for a base. You can also get cinder blocks on the cheap from a building materials store, or find other more decorative ways of elevating your barrel.

The point of elevating the barrel is two-fold: first, it keeps the barrel from developing mold or any other issues on its bottom. Second, it provides elevation to your reservoir which increases outflow water pressure from your container.

Hardware

You will need a few things. I will list what I used and you can start with that, but keep in mind the placement of your barrel, your existing down-spout makeup and a number of other factors will dictate your actual hardware needs.

I used:

- A t-shaped downspout collector

- Two end-caps for the collector

- A landscape corrugated hose adapter (one end is rectangular to fit around a down-spout, the other is circular and about 2.5”)

- Two 10’ lengths of black sump pump tubing

- Fiberglass screening

- Zip-ties

- Great Stuff expanding foam

- Plastic tightening collars from a sink trap kit

- Threaded brass spigot

- Stain (for wood barrels)

- Hexagonal cement patio paving blocks (for foundation)

FOR BARREL OVERFLOW:

- ¾” zinc threaded elbow – male to female

- PVC coupling: ¾” threaded to ¾” barbed

- Two PVC 90° elbow joints (3/4” barbed to ¾” threaded)

- ¾” male threaded coupling

- 3’ of clear plastic ¾” tubing

- Galvanized wire

- Two 1” hose clamps

- 1” Copper hose stabilizer

Tools

- Drill

- 2.5″ Hole saw

- ¾” drill bit

- Screw driver (flat head and Phillips)

- Awl

- Coping saw (or hack saw)

- Ladder

- 1’ Level

- Paint brush

- Clear outdoor acrylic caulk