Category Collection, Plumbing & Controls

Build a water-tank pad on firm, drained ground with a level, supported surface sized for the full base. Choose compacted aggregate or engineered concrete.

Join rain barrels with matched bulkhead fittings and supported hose or pipe. Keep connections level, allow isolation, and route total overflow safely.

Install cam locks by matching type and size, seating the gasket, connecting squarely, and closing both arms evenly. Support hoses and inspect seals before pressure.

Stop a bulkhead leak by checking gasket placement, hole size, wall damage, alignment, and tightness. Drain, reseat, and replace distorted parts.

A bulkhead should seal with its gasket, not an outside bead. Fix leaks by cleaning, reseating, and replacing damaged parts before using compatible sealant.

Waterproof a bulkhead with the correct gasket, smooth tank surface, proper hole, alignment, and controlled tightening. Support connected pipe and test under load.

Treat high-TDS water with reverse osmosis, distillation, or another process that removes dissolved salts. Test first and account for waste and capacity.

Tighten a bulkhead fitting evenly until its gasket seals without squeezing out or distorting the tank wall. Hold the body steady and retest after filling.

Keep an outside spigot closed during normal service, but follow its winterizing method after shutting off and draining the supply. Frost-free designs differ.

Low turbidity is better because fewer suspended particles improve clarity and disinfection. Learn what causes cloudiness and how testing guides treatment.