My Rain Barrel System UPDATE! Lessons Learned!

I created a Rain Barrel system last year, and I wanted to share some of things I learned and wish I did differently. Original Video: • DIY Rain Barrel System...
When it came tine to winterize the rain barrels - the process was pretty easy and the gutter kit came with a cover for the gutter.
Last year, I did realize that one of the adapters for the hose the came with kit would leak, whereas, the bulkhead adapter (purchased separately) for the hose did not. This year, I bought more of those bulkhead adapters. Also, I am pretty sure I installed them backwards last year, I had the threads on the inside instead of the the threads on the outside. 2 issues: the rubber gasket was on the wrong side AND i was forcing the water to go raise an extra inch or so higher just to be able to flow into the other barrels.
Soon after I released the original video, I realized that I should flip the trash can lids upside to catch more water. I drilled a 6 inch hole in the new rain barrel lids and added a screen mesh (same stuff for screen windows) to prevent bugs and debris from falling in the rain barrel.
Patreon Page: / carlytackles
Original Video: • DIY Rain Barrel System...

[@IRAKLICHIKHLADZE]

Carly, heeeeeeeeha, welcome back! MISSED YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH

[@kmwrites7456]

nice to see a new one from you. Good thinking on the barrels.

[@carlytackles]

Thanks!

[@sheri023]

You could probably use recycle lids too that already have a hole in the middle (for putting aluminum cans in originally.) Do you think the linking could be by the side of each barrel, either low or high (instead of connecting from the very bottom of the can) if they are close enough to each other? Does that long garden hose to the far away barrels work okay for filling those barrels? Thank you for your video.

[@carlytackles]

To keep the barrels equally balanced, its best to have the connectors at the bottom. If you connect on the side, one barrel would need to fill up to that point before going into the other.
As for the hose going the distance, it worked but it was difficult getting the tubs the same height as the others when they were that far away. You also have to be careful that the hose doesn’t sag too low or the water will not flow nicely into the other barrel. Hope that helps you out.

[@sheri023]

@@carlytackles if you had the connecters on the side very low would the first barrel still have to fill up completely before the second would get water, or would the balance only be off a little bit and the second barrel fill up and catch up only a little behind the first (or 3rd be behind the second barrel a little?) It would make it easier for the placement of cinder blocks to have the connecters low on the side, I'm thinking. ( I'm new at this. I bought the same diverter as you and waiting for the hole saw now.) Thanks for your time and know-how.

[@carlytackles]

The barrel would just have to fill up pass the connector to start flowing so not that big of deal. When it comes time to drain for winter prep, you will just have to manually dump the water out of the bucket that fell below the connector line.
Best of luck to you. If you try it one way for a season, you can always change it around next season- not harm there.

[@sheri023]

@@carlytackles thank you. Good idea to try differently if it doesn't work out this season. In Northern calif. it only rains during fall and winter, but I will keep an eye on the levels when it freezes if it gets too low. Mostly want to keep the rain away from my foundation for a distance. Thanks again.