The rain barrel does not fill with water after rainfall:
1. Check the top of the gutter for blockage at the downspout
connection.
2. Remove the FlexiFit diverter and check that the downspout,
diverter, and fill hose are not blocked by leaves or debris.
3. Make sure the diverter is installed with the collection cup
(arrow) facing up.
4. Make sure no point of the fill hose is above the level of the
diverter.
5. Check that the diverter is installed at the correct height. It
must be above the water inlet on the barrel to fill properly.
To Correct: drain the barrel and lower the ground until the
water inlet on barrel is 1” (25mm) below the level of the
diverter.
6. Check the spigot and drain to make sure that water is not
leaking. Even a slow leak will drain the barrel over time.
The rain barrel overflows and water leaks out from the lid:
The barrel is too low.
To correct: drain the barrel and construct a solid surface
base to raise the barrel to the correct height.
The fill hose can be replaced by a 1 - 1/4” (32mm) bilge hose
available at most home centers.
Troubleshooting
15
1. Insert the diverter into the hole in the downspout by squeezing the
sides and pushing the diverter into the downspout until the flange
sits flat against the downspout. Do not twist the diverter when
installing - push it straight in - with the collection cup facing up at
all times to insure a proper seal. Make sure that the arrow on the
front of the diverter is installed pointing straight up.
2. Use 2 of the self-tapping screws to attach the diverter to the
downspout.
3. Connect the fill hose to the cuff end of the FlexiFit diverter. Press
the hose into the diverter until the corrugated section is flush
against the diverter.
Use soapy water or hand lotion on the hose
cuff and seal to reduce friction and improve fit.
Installing the FlexiFit diverter
10
Linking barrels - additional parts needed
14
There are two ways that barrels can be linked together to increase the
water storage capacity:
Option A:
Link barrels rim-to-rim. The barrel connected to the
downspout will fill first, then overflow into the second barrel.
Option B:
Link barrels bottom drain-to-bottom drain using a modified
garden hose or washing machine hose. With this method both barrels
will fill up at the same level. The second barrel can be placed further
away from the first as long as the ground is level between barrels. This is
useful for patios, decks or level foundations, where a second barrel can
be located away from the downspout.
This method requires a hose with double female ends such as a washing
machine hose. (not included)
Replacement parts available at www.earthmindedconsumerproducts.com
There are several ways to access and distribute the rainwater in the barrel.
Use stored water as often as possible to make room for new rainwater!
1.
A
Watering Can or Bucket
can be filled by using the spigot, or by removing the lid to dunk and fill
the bucket or watering can.
2.
A
Garden Hose
can be connected to the spigot or bottom drain for watering remote areas.
The barrel must be higher than the area to be watered.
Elevating the rain barrel will improve water pressure.
3.
A rain barrel
Soaker Hose
can be connected to the spigot or bottom drain. If connecting to a bottom
drain, an inline garden hose valve should be fitted in place of the drain cap. This will allow the water
to be turned on/off as needed.
4.
A
Garden Hose Timer
can be fitted between the bottom drain and soaker hose to automatically
dispense water at regular intervals. Be sure the timer is designed for low pressure applications.
If connecting to a drip irrigation system, use emmiters designed for 4 gallons per hour.
Always be sure to tighten the spigot after use. Even a slow drip will empty the barrel over time.
Using your rain barrel
13
DO NOT CUT THE DOWNSPOUT UNTIL READING THE ENTIRE USER
GUIDE!
1. Make a reference mark even with the rim of the barrel on the
downspout using a pencil and a straight edge placed on the rim of
the barrel as a guide.
2. For sealed containers only (no opening lid):
Measure and mark
the CENTER of the downspout.
3. For open top containers:
Measure 3”(76mm) below the reference
line and make a second mark on the CENTER of the downspout.
The second mark will now be your reference mark for the diverter
height.
Marking the FlexiFit diverter hole on
the downspout
8
Drill a hole in the downspout using the (LARGE) 2-1/8”(54mm) hole
saw. The center bit of the hole saw should align with the center mark
on the downspout.
•
Do not force the hole saw. Cut slow and steady keeping a firm hold
ei
on the drill.
•
Always wear safety glasses and gloves when cutting or drilling.
•
The cut edges of the downspout can be sharp! Wear protective safety
ei
glasses and gloves when handling.
• For 3” x 4” downspouts make sure you drill the hole on the narrow
ei
3” side (not the front side).
Do not use with heated downspouts!
Drilling the FlexiFit diverter hole
9
1. Extend the hose to the desired length, up to 28” (71cm). The hose
can be bent to form elbows.
2. Connect the other end of the fill hose to the fill hose seal on the
barrel. Press the hose end firmly into the seal until the corrugated
section is flush with the seal.
Use soapy water or hand lotion on the
hose cuff and seal to reduce friction and improve fit.
3. Place the “Do Not Drink Water” WARNING sticker on the barrel
above the spigot.
Connecting the barrel
11
A rain barrel can be damaged if water is allowed to freeze in the barrel.
To Winterize:
1. Remove the FlexiFit diverter by removing the 2 screws. Remove the
diverter by pulling it out in an upwards motion.
2. Completely drain the barrel making sure the water is being drained
away from the foundation of the house.
3. Cover the hole in the downspout with the winter hole cover and
secure it with the 2 screws.
4. Store rain barrel and diverter for winter.
Winterizing the barrel
12
2
3
Lid must be secured at all times
to prevent injury to children.
WARNING
WARNING
Wear Safety Glasses
WARNING
Wear Safety Gloves
WARNING
Electrocution Hazard
WARNING
Installation Hazard
Be sure to take an elevated base into account before measuring. If you plan
on using an elevated base you must do it before measuring and cutting the
downspout.
An elevated base will increase water pressure if using with a garden hose.
When installing to a 3” x 4”* rectangular downspout, you must mark on the
narrow 3” side of the downspout (not the front) for the diverter to work
properly.
Water capture percentage is reduced with 3”x 4” downspouts
Warnings regarding potential hazards
Tilting/Tipping Hazard
Wear Safety Glasses
Infestation Hazard
Wear Safety Gloves
Electrocution Hazard
Installation Hazard
Drowning Hazard
Contamination Hazard
WARNING
Wear Safety Glasses
WARNING
Wear Safety Gloves
WARNING
Electrocution Hazard
WARNING
Installation Hazard
TIP
Soapy water or hand lotion on the hose cuff and rubber seal
reduces friction and makes insertion easier.
WARNING
Tipping Hazard
Option A - rim-to-rim using an EarthMinded Linking kit
(sold separately)
Option B - bottom drain-to-bottom drain
WARNING
The barrel must be installed
on a solid and level base.
WARNING
WARNING
Contamination Hazard
WARNING
Stored rainwater is not
suitable for human or
animal consumption
If using an open top barrel with a lid make sure the lid is secure and latched.
Do not leave the lid off for extended periods of time as the barrel may bow
from the weight of the water and make fitting the lid difficult.
2-1/8”
(54mm)
Hole Saw
Do Not
Drink
Water
Open Top Container
Sealed Barrel Only
Attach fill hose to barrel
Add warning sticker, installation is complete!
Drain barrel
Install winter hole cover
Stored rainwater is not for
human or animal consumption.
3”
3"x 4"
3”
4”
2"x 3"
3”
2”
2
Remove lid
for measuring
1
3
1
2
3
downspout
downspout
TIP
Soapy water or
hand lotion on
the hose cuff and
rubber seal reduces
friction and makes
insertion easier
