Anyone who knows me knows that I’m all about fossils and flowers.
Well, here is a very cool little invention of mine. I’ve been refining this for about 2 years now and think I have it down to the final revision.
I used a universal plastic ground spout – groundspout.com
Thumbscrews
Pieces of recycle billboard material leftover from fishpond building, rubber roofing could be used also.
Small metal tapping screws
I have my rain barrels set up on cement blocks, with treated wood to support the bottom of the barrel, so that I can get a 5 gallon bucket under the spout.
Cut a hole in your downspout about two feet above your rain barrel (error on the side of too tall rather than too short) to fit the plastic end that comes with the downspout. Secure the end with the metal screws. Tape with duct tape or electrical tape if edges are rough. You can add some silicon caulk if you like.
Cut a piece of billboard rubber to fit, about a foot long and secure to the inside back with a metal screw. Push it back in in the winter and it will self-store allowing your gutter to work normally until next spring and you decide to set up your rain barrels again.
Stuff your rubber into your downspout and secure your downspout into the mounted piece with one or two thumbscrews by pre-drilling the holes. Thumbscrews can stay in the mounted one over winter, so you don’t lose them. 🙂
One thumbscrew secures the bottom of the ground spout to the rain barrel top/hole. When winter comes, just store the ground spout inside the inverted rain barrel until next year.
DONE!
Simple, inexpensive, love it!
Beverly Sandlin
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