How to Make a Rain Barrel from a Garbage Can

Step 1 – Clean

The first thing that you are going to have to do is get your garbage barrel cleaned out thoroughly. The best way to do this is with just a mild soap and some water. Make sure that you properly rinse it before you move on to the next step.

Step 2 – Drill

You will now need to get a hole that is about 1” drilled into your barrel. You will do this with your hole saw. Make sure that you do it off the bottom part o the container; this is for the spigot assembly. Having it as low as possible is a good idea so that you can have the most water use that is also easy.

Step 3 – Overflow Valve Assembly

You are now going to need to get another hole that is 1” drilled. You will do this right below the rim. This will be for your overflow valve assembly. This hole is something that you will need so that you can go anywhere around your barrel and keep the latitude the same. It is a good idea to put the hole about ½ an inch from your lid.

Step 4 – Holes

You are now going to need to get about a dozen or so holes drilled into the lid of your barrel. From there, get your utility knife and clean the scraps that surround the holes that you just put in. You will need to get your mesh screen put onto the top so that the rain water will be able to filter through it and then through the holes that you put into your barrel.

Step 5 – Spigot

You will now need to get the barrel end of your spigot wrapped with Teflon tape. From there, you are ready to screw the spigot into place. You will not need any tools to install your spigot. Get a rubber washer and glue it onto the surface of one of the sides. You will use a strong glue to do this.

Step 6 – Finish Up

Screw your locknut into place and tighten the spigot using your needle nose pliers. Get the long end of your overflow valve and wrap it with more Teflon tape. Screw your locknut on as far as it will go by hand and then hold your locknut down as you tighten up the overflow valve with your pliers. Apply silicone where your overflow valve will meet the barrels outside. Add this same silicone where the barrel and the spigot meet.

A rain barrel is something that you can easily make yourself. You will find that something as simple as a garbage can will make for a durable and reliable rain barrel that you will be able to use for years to come. Anybody can make a rain barrel from a garbage can. You will simply need to have the proper tools and know how to get the job done quickly and easily.

Step 1 – Clean

The first thing that you are going to have to do is get your garbage barrel cleaned out thoroughly. The best way to do this is with just a mild soap and some water. Make sure that you properly rinse it before you move on to the next step.

Step 2 – Drill

You will now need to get a hole that is about 1 inch drilled into your barrel. You will do this with your hole saw. Make sure that you do it off the bottom part of the container; this is for the spigot assembly. Having it as low as possible is a good idea so that you can have the most water use.

Step 3 – Overflow Valve Assembly

You are now going to need to get another hole that is 1 inch drilled. You will do this right below the rim. This will be for your overflow valve assembly. This hole is something that you will need so that you can go anywhere around your barrel and keep the latitude the same. It is a good idea to put the hole about ½ an inch from your lid.

Step 4 – Holes

You are now going to need to get about a dozen or so holes drilled into the lid of your barrel. From there, get your utility knife and clean the scraps that surround the holes that you just put in. You will need to get your mesh screen put onto the top so that the rain water will be able to filter through it and then through the holes that you put into your barrel.

Step 5 – Spigot

You will now need to get the barrel end of your spigot wrapped with Teflon tape. From there, you are ready to screw the spigot into place. You will not need any tools to install your spigot. Get a rubber washer and glue it onto the surface of one of the sides. You will use a strong glue to do this.

Step 6 – Finish Up

Screw your locknut into place and tighten the spigot using your needle nose pliers. Get the long end of your overflow valve and wrap it with more Teflon tape. Screw your locknut on as far as it will go by hand and then hold your locknut down as you tighten up the overflow valve with your pliers. Apply silicone where your overflow valve will meet the barrel's exterior. Add this same silicone where the barrel and the spigot meet.