As an affiliate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. We get commissions for purchases made through links on this website from Amazon and other third parties.
A full 55-gallon water barrel is too heavy to safely lift or tip by hand. Water alone weighs about 459 pounds. The safest way to empty the barrel is usually to use a bottom drain, siphon hose, or pump while the barrel stays upright.
The best method depends on where the outlet is, where the water needs to go, and whether the barrel sits higher than the drain point.
Before You Empty the Barrel
First, decide where the water will go.
Clean rainwater may be useful for landscaping or garden watering, depending on how it was collected and what was stored in the barrel. Water with algae, chemicals, fuel, sewage contamination, or other unknown material should not simply be dumped onto the ground.
Also check the barrel itself.
Look for:
- A bottom spigot or drain fitting
- A removable top lid
- One or two threaded bung openings
- A hose connection
- Cracks or weak spots around the base
- A stable surface under the barrel
Do not try to move a full barrel. Even a partly full barrel can become difficult to control once the water starts shifting.
Method 1: Drain the Barrel Through a Bottom Spigot
If your barrel has a working outlet near the bottom, this is usually the easiest way to empty it.
1. Attach a hose if needed
Connect a garden hose or suitable drain hose to the outlet.
Make sure the connection fits correctly. A loose connection can leak or come apart once water begins flowing.
Run the other end of the hose to a safe drainage area.
2. Keep the hose below the water level
Gravity moves water more easily when the discharge end is lower than the water inside the barrel.
The height difference between the water surface and the outlet affects the available pressure. This difference is sometimes called head height.
A barrel sitting on a stand will usually drain better through a hose than one sitting directly on the ground.
3. Open the valve slowly
Open the spigot or valve.
Check the hose and fittings for leaks before opening it fully.
The flow will gradually slow as the barrel empties because there is less water pushing down on the outlet.
4. Drain the last few gallons
A bottom outlet normally sits slightly above the floor of the barrel. This means some water may remain below the opening.
You can remove the remaining water with:
- A small pump
- A wet/dry vacuum suitable for the job
- A scoop or container if the opening is large enough
- A siphon placed close to the bottom
Avoid tipping a heavy barrel just to remove the final few gallons.
Method 2: Siphon the Water Out
A siphon is useful when the barrel has no bottom drain.
A siphon uses a hose to move water from a higher container to a lower location. Once the hose is full of water and flowing, gravity keeps the water moving.
What you need
You need:
- A hose long enough to reach the bottom of the barrel
- A discharge location lower than the water in the barrel
- A safe way to fill or prime the hose
1. Put one end of the hose into the barrel
Push the inlet end toward the bottom.
Keep it submerged so it does not pull in air.
2. Prime the hose
The hose needs to be filled with water before a siphon can work.
Use a siphon starter, hand pump, or another safe priming method.
Do not start a siphon by sucking on the hose with your mouth. Collected or stored water may contain bacteria, chemicals, algae, or other contaminants.
3. Put the discharge end lower than the barrel
Move the outlet end below the level of the water in the barrel.
The greater the useful height difference, the easier it is for the siphon to keep flowing.
4. Let the barrel drain
Once water is flowing steadily, leave the inlet submerged.
The siphon will stop if:
- Air enters the hose
- The inlet rises above the water
- The discharge end becomes too high
- The hose becomes kinked or blocked
A siphon may remove most of the water, although a small amount can remain at the bottom.
Method 3: Empty the Barrel With a Pump
A pump is useful when gravity cannot send the water where you need it.
For example, you may need a pump if:
- The barrel is sitting at ground level
- The discharge area is higher than the barrel
- The water must travel through a long hose
- You want faster drainage
- You need to remove water from close to the bottom
A small utility or transfer pump may work for this type of job if it is designed for the water being handled.
Check the pump before using it
Make sure the pump can handle:
- The type of water in the barrel
- The required lift
- The hose size
- The amount of debris present
Lift is how far the pump must move water upward.
Pump specifications may also list flow rate, which tells you how much water a pump can move during a certain amount of time, often in gallons per minute.
Do not assume the advertised maximum flow will be available in your setup. Flow usually falls when the pump has to lift water higher or push it through a long or narrow hose.
Protect the pump from debris
Rain barrels can collect leaves, sediment, insects, and small pieces of organic material.
If your pump cannot handle debris, keep large material away from the intake. Follow the pump manufacturer's instructions for strainers and allowable particle size.
Do not let a pump run dry unless it is specifically designed for dry running. Many water pumps rely on water for cooling or lubrication.
Explore ways to manage a full rain barrel to understand vessel capacity and fittings within the available space.
Electrical pumps also need suitable outdoor electrical protection. Keep plugs, cords, connections, and extension equipment away from standing water and follow the manufacturer's electrical requirements.
Can You Tip a 55-Gallon Barrel to Empty It?
Do not tip a full 55-gallon barrel by hand.
A full barrel contains roughly:
55 gallons × 8.34 pounds per gallon = about 459 pounds of water
That does not include the weight of the barrel itself.
Even a barrel with 20 gallons left contains about 167 pounds of water. The moving water can suddenly shift the barrel's balance.
If you eventually need to tilt the barrel to drain or clean it, remove nearly all of the water first. Only move the container when its remaining weight can be handled safely.
How to Empty a Barrel That Has Only Top Openings
Many closed-head 55-gallon drums have threaded openings, called bungs, on top instead of a removable lid.
If there is no lower drain, the practical choices are usually:
- Insert a siphon hose through a bung opening.
- Insert a suitable pump intake through the opening.
- Pump or siphon until very little water remains.
- Move or tilt the barrel only after its weight has been greatly reduced.
Make sure the hose or pump intake can physically fit through the opening before starting.
Never enter, lean deeply into, or put your head inside a barrel or tank. Containers can hold unsafe gases or residues, especially when their previous contents are unknown.
What If the Barrel Is Connected to a Rainwater System?
If the barrel is part of a rainwater harvesting system, stop incoming water before draining it.
You may need to:
- Disconnect or divert the downspout
- Close an inlet valve
- Stop a transfer pump
- Isolate connected barrels
- Check the overflow line
Connected barrels can refill each other. If two barrels are joined near the bottom, opening one drain may lower the level in both.
If you only want to empty one barrel, close the connecting valve first if the system has one.
Do not cap an active overflow or inlet in a way that could cause the barrel to overfill during rain.
How Long Does It Take to Empty 55 Gallons?
Drain time depends on the actual flow rate.
You can estimate it with:
Drain time = gallons ÷ gallons per minute
For example, at an actual flow of 5 gallons per minute:
55 ÷ 5 = 11 minutes
But a gravity-fed barrel does not normally maintain the same flow rate from full to empty. Flow tends to decrease as the water level drops.
Hose length, hose diameter, bends, fittings, debris, and height difference can also slow drainage.
Use calculations as planning estimates rather than exact drain times.
What to Do With the Last Water and Sediment
The bottom of a rain barrel often contains sediment.
This may include:
- Roof grit
- Dust
- Pollen
- Decaying plant material
- Insect debris
- Algae
If you are emptying the barrel for cleaning, draining the clear water first makes the remaining sediment easier to handle.
After the barrel is nearly empty, disconnect it from incoming rainwater if needed and follow the barrel manufacturer's cleaning instructions. A removable-lid barrel may be easier to rinse than a closed-head drum.
Do not climb into a barrel or large tank to clean it.
Emptying a Barrel Before Freezing Weather
If the barrel will not be used during freezing conditions, draining it can help reduce the chance of freeze damage.
Water expands when it freezes. Trapped water can damage:
- Spigots
- Valves
- Pumps
- Filter housings
- Hoses
- Rigid pipes
- Barrel fittings
Draining the main barrel does not always empty every low section in the plumbing.
Check hoses, pumps, valves, filters, and connecting pipes separately. Follow manufacturer instructions for winter storage. Local conditions and system design determine how much freeze protection is needed.
Emptying a Barrel for Moving or Relocation
Drain a barrel before trying to move it.
After the main water is removed:
- Disconnect hoses and plumbing.
- Remove remaining water if practical.
- Check that the barrel is stable.
- Get help if the empty barrel is large or awkward.
- Avoid dragging fittings, valves, or plumbing connections across the ground.
If the barrel is mounted on a raised stand, do not try to lower it while it still contains a significant amount of water.
Which Emptying Method Should You Use?
| Situation | Practical method |
|---|---|
| Barrel has a bottom spigot | Gravity drain |
| No bottom outlet | Siphon |
| Drain point is higher than barrel | Pump |
| Need faster drainage | Suitable pump |
| Only top bung openings are available | Siphon or pump |
| Small amount remains at bottom | Small pump, wet/dry vacuum, or manual removal |
| Barrel needs to be moved | Drain it first |
For most rain barrels, a bottom drain is the simplest option. A siphon is a good choice when there is no drain and a lower discharge point is available. A pump makes more sense when water must move uphill or through a more demanding hose setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a full 55-gallon water barrel weigh?
The water alone weighs about 459 pounds because one U.S. gallon of water weighs roughly 8.34 pounds. The barrel adds additional weight. Do not try to lift or tip a full barrel by hand.
Can I empty a 55-gallon barrel without a pump?
Yes. Use the bottom spigot if the barrel has one, or create a siphon if the discharge location is lower than the water in the barrel.
Why does my rain barrel drain so slowly?
Low head height, a long or narrow hose, a partly closed valve, sediment, a clogged screen, or a restricted fitting can slow the flow. Gravity flow also becomes weaker as the water level falls.
Can I siphon water uphill?
A normal siphon cannot discharge water to a final outlet that is higher than the water surface supplying it. Use a suitable pump when the water needs to be moved uphill.
Should I turn a rain barrel upside down to empty it?
Not while it contains a significant amount of water. Drain or pump out nearly all the water first. A partly filled barrel can still be very heavy and difficult to control.
How do I remove sediment from the bottom?
Drain the main volume of water first. Then remove the remaining water and sediment through a suitable drain, pump, wet/dry vacuum, or accessible opening. Follow the barrel manufacturer's cleaning guidance and never climb inside the barrel.
Can I use the drained rainwater on my garden?
That depends on the collection surface, previous barrel contents, contamination risks, and intended plants or use. Roof runoff is not automatically clean or safe. Avoid using questionable water where people may ingest it, and follow applicable local guidance for rainwater use.
