Rutgers NJAES Cooperative Extension: How to Install Your Rain Barrel

[@lindaweber4119]

In case anyone is watching this video in 2020, I thought I would share my experience. We installed a rain barrel this year from one of the roof gutters on our home. When the first storm came (admittedly, a long rain storm), the overflow hose was not able to empty as fast as the barrel was filling up. In less than two hours, the 60 gallon barrel was overflowing and after two more hours of rain, the area surrounding the barrel - and next to the house - was flooded. To address the problem, we are ordering a diversion gutter piece that can be manually switched from emptying either into the rain barrel or the traditional drainage system away from the house (ideally, to a rain garden.) Another option is to install multiple rain barrels and link them together for additional capacity. Also, had I measured the size of our roof and calculated the amount of runoff prior to installing the barrel, I would have known that the barrel would fill up to capacity in certain storms. Oh well, lesson learned.

[@fishingpinky3165]

Its 2024 and I thank you. I have 9 rain barrels but they all have diverters.

[@bootss.9642]

Just in the process of installing a rain barrel for the first time. Thanks for such clear instructions on how to do it right.

[@Griviouz]

thank you