Rain Barrel Assembly, Installation, Maintenance and Warranty

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Assembly – View Video
Our products require minimal assembly and typically require no tools and less than a minute to put them together. They are shipped unassembled to ensure the components are not damaged during transport as there is no protective packaging included.

Components include:
1) a filter basket that simply fits into the six inch hole in the lid
2) a T-shaped overflow adaptor that slides firmly into the top-side three inch hole
3) an overflow hose which slides over the open end of the T-shaped adaptor
4) a male to male adaptor (nipple) with tapered thread on one end and straight thread on the other end.
5) a spigot which threads onto the straight thread of the male to male adaptor.

Once the spigot is connected to the straight thread on the nipple, the tapered thread of the nipple is lined up with the 7/8 inch hole at the bottom-side of the barrel. The spigot is used like a handle on a screwdriver to turn clockwise to insert the tapered thread of the nipple into the bottom-side hole until the nipple is snug with the side of the barrel.

Installation –  View Video

1. Ensure the ground beneath the rain barrel is firm and level. You may want to consider using a patio stone as a base. Cinder blocks with a patio stone on top of them will provide height so that you can put your watering can beneath the spigot or get more gravity to run the water through your hose.
2. Cut the downspout 4 to 6 inches above the top of the barrel. To cut the downspout we recommend using a hacksaw. The downspout can be cut without even removing it from the wall. Tin snips can be used to finish the cut if the downspout is secured too tightly to the wall.
3. Install a short flexible pipe or a downspout elbow onto the cut downspout to direct water into the top of the barrel
4. Keep the remaining portion of the downspout so it can be reconnected when the rain barrel is winterized.
5. Run the overflow hose either back into the drain or into a nearby garden. Additional lengths of 1.5 inch sump pump overflow hose can be purchased online through any of our sales or at most hardware stores.

Operating Instructions
Simply place the rain barrel filter basket under a downspout and connect a garden hose to the bottom ball-valve spigot. Some people prefer to elevate their rain barrel by placing them on cement blocks to increase pressure resulting from gravity. One end of the T-shaped overflow adaptor is closed and can be opened to allow a second rain barrel to be connected in series.

Maintenance – View Video
Maintenance includes clearing debris from the filter basket on occasion. Before winter the rain barrel should be disconnected, emptied, the bottom ball valve left in the open position and the rain barrel should be rinsed with a garden hose. Storage indoors is recommended but if left outside it must not contain any fluids. Frozen fluids could damage the rain barrel and/or bottom ball-valve and void the warranty.

Warranty
A two year return-to-depot repair or replacement warranty is offered on all parts and workmanship under normal use from the date of purchase. Proof of purchase is required.

After the warranty period, replacement parts will be available through our website or at most local hardware stores.

Connecting Rain Barrels in Series – View Video
Each rain barrel includes an overflow and interconnectivity adaptor. One end of the adaptor is open to allow overflow water to escape from the rain barrel through the overflow hose. The other end is closed and can be opened with a hacksaw, punch or chisel. The overflow hose from one rain barrel can be cut to size and connected directly to the newly opened end of the overflow adaptor on the second rain barrel. The overflow adaptor can be turned to direct water into the second barrel to ensure it fills completely before water runs out of the second overflow hose.

Universal Downspout Diverter Instructions:

Remove and empty all hoses. Remove diverter fittings, clean out debris or dirt from inside diverter. Clean diverter thread and apply vegetable oil to thread before inserting winter cap. Vegetable oil will reduce friction and allow caps (winter) or fittings (spring) to thread in much more easily. Place all hoses and fittings inside original plastic Ziploc bag for safe storage.

Rain Barrel Stand Instructions:

The boards can be stacked in alternating directions, 8 levels high to create a stand that is 1 foot tall. We recommend using a solid base of gravel, bricks or a 2×2 patio stone. The exact same boards can be secured together with 3.5 inch wood screws to create a 2 foot tall, bench-style stand, however the wood screws must be purchased separately from your local hardware store. Before constructing your rain barrel stand, consider allowing the wood to thoroughly dry and treating it with a sealer, stain or paint to extend the lifespan of the wood. Organize the pieces in advance so that the best sides are facing outward and so that the very best pieces are used to construct the top surface. Read more about our rain barrel stands by clicking here.