Category Rain Barrels

Without gutters, a DIY rain chain needs a roof discharge point or small diverter to feed it. Plan the attachment, splash control, and drainage below.

A rain chain can work without gutters only where the roof concentrates runoff. Learn how placement, a small diverter, and ground drainage control the flow.

A 90-degree elbow can work in a tank vent when the pipe stays open, drains freely, and moves enough air. Learn how sizing, screening, and layout affect venting.

Turn a clean 55-gallon food-grade drum into a rain barrel with a stable base, screened inlet, spigot, overflow, and mosquito-proof openings.

Winterize a rain barrel before freezing weather by draining it and protecting its fittings, hoses, and base. See when outdoor storage is safe for the barrel.

A 5-gallon bucket can collect rainfall, but its gallon marks do not show rain depth. Measure the opening and water volume to calculate inches of rain.

At-home E. coli tests can screen water for contamination, but they cannot certify it as safe to drink. Learn how kits work and when to use a laboratory.

Mosquito Bits can treat non-potable rain-barrel water when the label permits it. Learn how Bti controls larvae and how to apply it without misusing the water.

Zip ties can secure light, low-pressure tubing temporarily, but they do not replace hose clamps on watertight or pressurized connections. Know where each fits.

A rain barrel can collect runoff without a gutter, but capture is less efficient and harder to control. Compare roof valleys, diverters, and gutter sections.