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How to Attach a Garden Hose to a Rain Barrel

Capturing rain water with a rain barrel is a handy way to water your vegetable garden and house plants. Many people forget to include a way to use a garden hose with their rain barrel systems. It is not difficult to install an outside water spigot to accommodate a garden hose in your rain barrel. Most hardware stores carry water spigots with threaded male ends to use for this purpose.

Remove the lid from the rain barrel and bail out any water that may be in the barrel. Use the water on your plants or place the water in a container until the project is complete.

Drill a hole for the water spigot 2 inches from the bottom of the rain barrel with a 3/4-inch hole saw attachment for your drill.

  • Capturing rain water with a rain barrel is a handy way to water your vegetable garden and house plants.
  • It is not difficult to install an outside water spigot to accommodate a garden hose in your rain barrel.

Wrap the threads on the back end of the spigot with plumber's tape. Apply a 1/8-inch bead of silicone caulk to the back of the spigot plate with a caulking gun.

Insert the spigot into the hole in the rain barrel from the outside of the barrel. Place the rubber washer over the threads of the water spigot from the inside of the rain barrel. Thread the nut over the threads and hand tighten.

Tighten the securing nut completely using a wrench. Tighten the nut until the rubber washer starts to compress.

  • Wrap the threads on the back end of the spigot with plumber's tape.
  • Place the rubber washer over the threads of the water spigot from the inside of the rain barrel.

Turn the handle on the water spigot to the closed position. Replace the water in the rain barrel if you have the water in a holding container. Place the rain barrel lid back on top of the rain barrel. Attach a garden hose to the spigot and test your connection.

Attach A Faucet To A Rain Barrel

Lay the barrel on its side. This allows room for sediment to sink to the barrel's bottom without blocking the faucet. Roll the barrel and cut a second hole approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches from the top for the overflow. This should be on the back or side of the barrel, opposite the lower hole. Use a clean cloth to wipe away any excess caulking. Screw the locking nut onto the back of the faucet.

  • Turn the handle on the water spigot to the closed position.

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