What you will need
(4) Pavers/stepping stones
(4) Cinder Blocks
(1) 50 LB bag of sand
(1) Bag of pea gravel (optional)
(1) Rake
(1) Shovel
(1) Level
(1) Flathead screwdriver or a drill with
screwdriver attachment
(1) Hacksaw
STEP ONE: Before You Begin
You need to do an initial assessment of the area where you are considering placing the rain barrel. You will want to look for possible things that could prevent you from placing you rain barrel in that area. Is the area level (some leveling will need to be done and it should be expected)? Is there a sprinkler head where the rain barrel will be? Is it close to the garden, or will you need to have a really long hose? Are there tree roots that will need to be removed?
STEP TWO: Modifying the Downspout
After you have chosen the best area for your rain barrel, you will need to start taking apart the guttering downspout. Some downspouts are made from one piece of material this one is not. First I removed the screw holding the two pieces together. I then removed the screw from the strap that holds the downspout to the house. I always chose to leave the strap in place so that if the customer decides to move the rain barrel at a later date they can always reattach the downspout with out much trouble.
STEP THREE: Clean the Area
After removing the pieces from the area you may need to clean it up. I rake the area before moving forward. This does a few things, first it removes any trash or rocks that might be a problem. Second it loosens the ground up, which will help you when you start to level the rain barrel.
STEP FOUR: Measure Twice, Cut Once
Now you are ready to dry fit the rain barrel. This will give you the measurement for where you will need to cut your guttering. Put the pavers down where you think they need to go and then place the cinder blocks on top.
BREAK TIME! STOP-take a 5 minute break.
(My dad always says work hard and take lots of breaks)
Repeat step 4. I know this sounds silly but measure twice cut once. The downspout attachment that comes with your Wichita Rain Barrel can expand up to 18″ so there is some flexibility if you make a mistake, but who wants to make a mistake?
STEP FIVE: The cut
Now that you have marked your downspout and checked it twice you will need to cut it. Using your hacksaw cut along the line. You my find it easier to remove the entire piece of downspout and cut it on a sawhorse or other stable surface.
Step SIX: Placing the Pavers
On average I use one 40/50 lb bag of sand per rain barrel. Pour the bag in the center and spread it over the area where your rain barrel stand will be. (7E-I then use a bag of river rock on top of the sand; this will help keep the sand in place during heavy rains and also looks very nice.) If you are using cinder blocks pavers make sure and spread the sand out to cover the entire footprint of where the cinder blocks pavers will be. Place the four cinder block pavers out and press them into the sand and using your level, level them.
Step SEVEN: The Overflow Hose
Now removing the paper from the gasket and getting the hose locked into place can be tricky. Please study the overflow hose gasket, noting where the “up position“ is. The “up position” is the part of the gasket that shows the exposed zip tie. The “up position” is where you want to start when you are ready to install the overflow hose. Before you can do that you need to remove the paper backing from the rubber gasket. I fold the lip of the rubber gasket back and hold it in place so the paper is exposed.
After the paper is all removed press the hose into the side of the rain barrel noting the up position on the gasket. Press the hose far enough into the barrel that the exposed nubs are past the inside of the rain barrel. Then put the hose over you shoulder exposing the
underside of the hose, this will give you the leverage to force the other nubs into place. Make sure that the hose is locked into place; you may hear it snap when itʼs locked. Now press the gasket around the connected hose, to the rain barrel. This forms the water tight seal so when the rain barrel is overflowing its not running
down the side of the rain barrel.
STEP EIGHT: Downspout Adapter
Attaching the downspout adapter is pretty simple. Place the adapter into the top of the rain barrel; it does not need to be seated like the overflow hose did. You may leave the nubs exposed; there is no rubber gasket for this because water is never going to come out of this hole.
**Installing the rain barrel at an angle will give you the leverage to just slide the guttering into the guttering attachment. After this you will need to screw the attachment to the guttering downspout. Now that your rain barrel is securely in place you can extend your overflow hose out to your desired length. You do not need to use the full length of the hose unless you want to.
