Building a Rain Catcher is not complicated. Small systems can be purchased "off-the-shelf" from local suppliers, and readily attached to your house gutter system, and large systems can be placed at schools (see our Rain Catchers in Your School Page) or on your farm or ranch (see our Rain Catchers in your Watershed page).
For a home system, full details have been provided on our Rain Barrels page, which gives the Do-It-Yourself person all the information she or he needs to complete the following steps:
Step #1 is to select a place for your rain barrel within 2 feet of a downspout, preferably on level ground, as you will need to level the footing area for the barrel, and stack two sets of two concrete blocks for the footing, which must be level for barrel placement—this is the most critical step in ensuring success. Then, you will need to mark the height of the barrel when placed on the blocks on your adjacent downspout.
Step #2 involves creating the inlet hole in the barrel near the top of the barrel rim.
Step #3 involves making a bottom spigot hole near the barrel bottom for draining and using the water in the barrel.
Step #4 involves creating a top overflow outlet where you can direct excess water away from your home.
Steps #5-7 are assembling your rain catchment barrel system, placing the drains, spigot and overflow; visit the section of this website www.raincatchers.info under the “Building One>>>Rain Barrels” tab for great, detailed DIY tips in the complete assembly process.
Step #8 involves cutting your downspout and directing the gutter flow of rain into the barrel. When completed, you will be ready to start filling your barrel with rainwater!
It’s important to protect against mosquito breeding. Make sure any standing water that does not have a tight mess screen to prevent mosquitos from entering be flushed every 72 hours.
