Rain Barrel Stand and Installation

The purpose of a rain barrel is to catch rainwater from a downspout and store it for future use. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that a rain barrel will save most gardeners about 1,300 gallons of water during the hot summer months. Saving water not only helps protect the environment, it saves money and energy. Diverting water from storm drains also decreases the impact of runoff to streams.

The rain barrel shown in this instructable was provided by a local Community Rain Barrel Program and was funded by a grant through the Chesapeake Bay Trust. To participate in the program, the user had to supply their own platform (at least 2 feet high) and be willing to help raise awareness of the program. This instructable documents the stand build and the installation of the rain barrel to the downspout.

Video of the Installation:

Tools:

• Table or Miter Saw
• Pocket hole jig (optional)
• Drill/Bits
• Tape measure

Materials:

• Pressure Treated 4”x4”x8’ (x2)
• Pressure Treated 2”x4”x8’ (x2)
• Deck Screws
• Pocket Hole Screws (optional)
• Stain or Paint (optional)
• Rain Barrel & Attachment Kit

Cut four 4x4s to 34.5" long. Notch the ends as shown. I used multiple passes on a table saw with the blade set to 1.75” high to make the notches. The video below shows another option using a miter saw.

Cut two supports as shown. Again, I used a table saw for the notches.

Cut four 2x4 side supports to 13" long.

Attach the top support to the legs with deck screws (3” long). Attach the side support to the legs as shown. I used a pocket hole jig to make this connection. Repeat this process to make another leg assembly.

Attach the two leg assemblies together with the remaining 13” supports. Again, I used a pocket hole jig for these connections.

Cut five 2x4s to 21" long.

Attach top pieces as shown. I used deck screws from the top side.

The wood is pressure treated so this step is optional. This stand is coated with cabernet colored stain from Varathane and a polyurethane from Minwax

I'm showing a excerpts from EarthMinded Rainstation User Guide. For detailed instructions, refer to the user manual shown HERE.

1. Locate close to downspout
2. Make sure stand is level
3. If spigtot will be used, make sure it is easily accessible

Insert threaded seals into pre-drilled holes. Thread drain assembly and spigot into seals.

Drill 1.5" diameter hole for water inlet. Note that the rain barrel kit includes hole saws. Insert fill hose seal into hole.

With barrel in place, mark a reference line at the same elevation as the top of the barrel (lid not included). Measure 3" below this reference line and mark the center of the downspout. Use the provided 2 1/8" hole saw to cut a hole into the downspout.

Insert diverter into the downspout hole. Use two self-tapping screws to attach the diverter to the downspout.

Expand hose to desired length. Press one end into barrel seal and the other end into diverter.

Snap lid over the rim of barrel. Use two self tapping screws to secure lid.

Multiple people asked why the faucet was so high. We've attached a soaker hose & valve to the bottom drain as shown. The soaker hose is placed next to the shrubs that surround the deck. It takes about 4 hours to drain a full tank of water with the soaker. We now have two options to extract water from the tank.