Most homes direct water into the barrel with gutters and downspouts but even homes without gutters can use a rain barrel.
How to strain leaves out of a gutter rain barrel.
Remove overhanging branches and any debris on roofs or gutters.
On the bottom of one barrel trace an opening for the downspout flex elbow connector with chalk then cut out with a jigsaw images 2 3.
Walk around your house during the next rain and observe the water.
Not only do they effectively keep leaves and needles out of your gutters but the perfect perforations will allow your gutters to handle any amount of rain or snow.
Use fine wire mesh to keep leaves bugs and other materials from getting into the rain barrel.
A spigot or hose connector lets you drain the water for use around your landscape.
Downspout filter for those without the alu rex leafguard system a funnel and clean out system can still be used to catch debris before it reaches your rain barrel.
Protect your rain barrels from external damage and put them on a platform.
Rainwater may accumulate below a rain barrel and the moisture and bacterial can damage it.
Keep the rain barrel clean.
This is where the rain will flow in from the roof.
A rain barrel is a container that collects runoff from your home s gutter system connecting to the downspout with a rain diverter or fitting under a modified downspout.
Next use a hole saw to cut out a hole for overflow at the top of the barrel on the left side image 4.
Use a platform or stand.