Daisy chaining rain barrels are a simple way to save water and money. Daisy chaining rain barrels means that you’re placing one rain barrel in line with another so that the overflow from the first barrel goes into the second barrel, then the overflow from the second barrel goes into the third barrel, and so on.
Rain barrels are perfect for use in places where it rains often but water may not be readily available at all times, such as in an area where rainwater collection is only done during particularly heavy rainfall periods like those found on the East Coast.
Planning your barrel system
Before you start buying barrels, it’s important to consider a few things. How much rainfall does your area typically receive?
This will help you determine how many barrels you’ll need to collect enough water. You’ll also need to consider the size of your downspouts – the larger the downspout, the more water your system will be able to collect.
Once you have a plan in mind, it’s time to start shopping for barrels! Look for unusual water butts like wine or whiskey barrels, or try an eco-friendly option like the eco Cascata rain barrel.
When you’re ready to set up your system, simply connect the barrels with a hose, making sure that each barrel has an overflow valve so that excess water can escape.
Make sure that the valves are positioned in a way that no one will accidentally come into contact with them. You may want to use rocks, bricks, or other barriers to ensure safety.
The last step is connecting your downspouts to all of the rain barrels at once – this allows any excess water coming from one part of your property (say, a porch) to flow through all other parts of your property before going back out through the ground. Now you just need to sit back and enjoy what nature provides!
What you need
You’ll need a few supplies before you can start daisy chaining your rain barrels. Get started with our list of what you need:
- Unusual water butts – we recommend the eco Cascata rain barrel.
- A connector kit – this will help you link the barrels together.
- Hoses – to connect the barrels to your downspout.
- A drill – to make holes in the barrels for the hoses.
- Sealing putty or silicone – to make sure your connections are watertight.
- Gravel – to keep the barrels from tipping over when they’re full of water.
- Ratchet straps – to secure the barrels together when they’re not being used.
Designing your rainwater collection system
Now that you know how to daisy chain rain barrels, it’s time to design your rainwater collection system. To get started, you’ll need to determine the following:
-The amount of rainfall you typically receive in a year
-The size of your roof
-The number of downspouts you have
Once you have that information, you can decide how many rain barrels you’ll need and where to place them. You may also want to consider adding an eco Cascata rain barrel to your system.
This type of barrel is designed to collect water from multiple downspouts, making it perfect for large roofs or areas with a lot of rainfall. Eco Cascata rain barrels are a great way to optimize your rainwater harvesting system.
Getting started
Most people are familiar with the traditional, cylindrical rain barrel. But did you know that there are all sorts of other unusual water butts out there?
You can find them in all sorts of shapes and sizes, perfect for small spaces or large yards. Plus, they’re often cheaper than traditional rain barrels! We found a good deal on this 50-gallon, pyramid-shaped rain butt from Northern Tool and Equipment.
At only $99 it’s more than 50% off the retail price. To get started, just attach your hose to the top outlet then connect another length of hose to the bottom outlet to feed it into your second barrel. That way when one is full, the water will automatically flow into the next one.
No need to worry about how much pressure is inside either, since there’s always enough head space so that nothing overflows.
If you want to store even more water at once, just stack as many barrels as you need – and don’t forget that attaching an overflow pipe makes filling up easy too!
Maintaining your system
Now that you have your system installed, it is important to maintain it so that it continues to work properly and efficiently. Here are a few tips:
-Check the connections regularly to make sure they are tight and not leaking.
-Inspect the gutters and downspouts to ensure they are clear of debris.
-If you live in an area with freezing temperatures, be sure to disconnect your system and drain the water before the first freeze.
-It is also a good idea to empty and clean your barrels at least once a year.
By following these simple tips, you can enjoy many years of efficient rain barrel usage!
You may also consider adding a digital rain gauge so that you can see how much water your system collects over time.
Where to install your barrels
You’ll want to start by finding a level spot to put your barrels. The barrels must be stable, so they don’t tip over when they’re full.
You’ll also want to make sure that the spigot on each barrel is lower than the overflow valve. This way, gravity will do its job and keep the water flowing in the right direction.
Once you’ve found the perfect spot, it’s time to start setting up your barrels! The first step is to connect one of the spigots from one of your barrels to the next.
To do this, just unscrew the cap on one end of a barrel and screw in another one. Be careful not to over-tighten because this can cause leakage!
Then, repeat this process until all of your barrels are connected. Now go ahead and fill up all of your barrels with water-you won’t regret it!
Barrel-to-barrel connection methods
- Unscrew and remove the downspout from the gutter.
- Place the first barrel under the downspout. You may need to use a piece of wood or bricks to elevate the barrel so that the spigot is at a comfortable height for filling a watering can or attaching a hose.
- Use a short section of PVC pipe to connect the overflow from the first barrel to the second barrel.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 until all barrels are connected.
- Screw the downspout back into place, making sure that it is pointing into the top barrel.
- If desired, you can paint your barrels to match your home’s exterior or landscaping or leave them natural for a more rustic look.
- Once filled with water, each barrel will take on the weight of approximately 8 gallons, so make sure they’re not in danger of toppling over when full.
- Keep an eye on the barrels when using hoses or sprinklers – if you notice a leak in one barrel, turn off any hoses attached to it immediately to avoid wasting water!
- To keep mosquitoes away from rainwater and discourage mosquito larvae growth in standing pools of water, install a floating row cover (or mosquito net) over your barrel system during warm months.
