If you project on hooking up your downspout to your pelting barrel , it ’s a just approximation to comprise a downspout diverter into your system . A downspout diverter serves two important purpose . First of all , it direct the water that comes down the downspout into the gun barrel . Then , when the barrel is full the diverter direct water back down the downspout to empty away from the building ’s foundation . In the process the diverter micturate sure the maximal amount of water get into the barrel and no body of water end up fret the fundament of your house or garage .
Downspout diverters come in two basic designs . The elementary aim has a manual switch that sends the water either into the barrel or back to the downspout . This character can be a wide-eyed Y with a switching in the middle , like to a diverter you might put on your outside hosepipe bib to swap the H2O from one hose or another . With the other intention backpressure mechanically channels the piss into the normal drain organisation ( i.e. , the downspout ) when the barrelful is full ; there ’s no need to manually redirect the water with a switch .
How to Install a Downspout Diverter onto a Rain Barrel
Diverters are easy to install when you fix up your rain gun barrel . With your rain barrel place on self-colored , level ground near a downspout , foreshorten the bottom of the downspout to match the diverter onto the cask . Most diverters are designed to gibe standard 2”x3 ” downspouts , but you’re able to get them magnanimous . The rain gun barrel diverter you buy will most likely fare with instructions for installing that specific diverter . Some rain barrel kit let in diverters , so check that out before you buy one .
If , like most rainfall barrel users , you are concerned with protect the environment , you may take your conservation ethic a piddling further by choosing a rain barrel and diverter made from recycled and/or recyclable materials .
Want to learn more about rain barrels and water conservation?
Because of their concerns about uphold body of water resources many cities and towns are providing residents with entropy about rainfall barrel . Some , like Lake Worth , Florida , give homeowners bonus for installing rainfall barrels , while others such as diminutive Etna , Maine grease one’s palms rainfall barrel in bulk and offer them to local anesthetic at sweeping price . After you read about the pelting gun barrel program link up below , you might want to work with your own county or townsfolk to promote body of water preservation with rain barrel .
Rain Barrel Program at City of Peoria , IllinoisRain Barrel Vendorsthrough the Delaware Soil & Water Conservation District . Rain Barrels in Fairfax County , Virginia
