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AboutUS

We are retired teachers dedicated to promoting and teaching water conservation and rainwater harvesting. We believe that clean, sanitary drinking water must be available to all people worldwide. Education is the first step.

Deborah Dunbar
Deirdre Petty

Installation Instructions Print E-mail

TIPS FOR INSTALLATION
Water weighs about 8 pounds per gallon. A full 55 gallon barrel can weigh over 400 pounds. Insure that the barrel is placed on a level surface. The barrel will function better if it is elevated at least 9-12 inches. Place paver stones under the barrel to elevate it to the proper height. Do not handle your barrel by the faucet.
 

BARREL PLACEMENT
If you do not have gutters, place the barrel anywhere water pours from the roof such as a valley or over hang. If you have gutters, measure the height of your barrel plus the height of the paver stones.  Add one to two feet to that number. Measure up from the ground, cut the downspout at that height and install a gutter elbow if desired. Then level the ground, lay the paving stones and install the barrel. Check with your local code compliance agencies for any regulations regarding barrel placement.
 
TIPS FOR USING YOUR RAIN BARREL
 Rain Barrels may have an overflow hose to keep water away from the foundation. Use any hose or section of a hose for this purpose attached to either overflow adapter at the top of the barrel. Keep the other adapter tightly capped. Once the barrel is full, the water will drain out through the hose so direct it to an area which is safe for run off. If the screen becomes damaged, simply replace it. You may use a standard hose, soaker hose or a watering can to access your water.

 
RAIN SCHOLARS OVERFLOW HOSE
Installation for one barrel:
You may attach the overflow hose to either adapter at the top rear of your barrel. Direct the hose away from your foundation and toward an area safe for run-off. Cap the other adapter.
 
Installation for two or more barrels:
The first barrel must be elevated at least 8-10” higher than the second barrel and one adapter will be capped. The other adapter will have the linking hose attached to it. Attach the overflow hose to the second (lower) barrel and direct the flow away from the foundation to an area which is safe for run-off.


LINKING KIT
Your linking kit is designed for RainScholars barrels but will work with any barrels which have ¾” adapters. Insure that your barrels are level and that the barrel under the downspout or roof valley is at least 8-10” HIGHER than your second barrel. Place your barrels no more than 18-20” apart. After you attach the linking kit, place a cap over any adapter which does not have an overflow hose.