Use and Care Manual

Choose a spot for your barrel where you can either tap
into or modify a downspout to fill your barrel from.
Place concrete blocks or similar sturdy material capable
of holding 600 pounds to raise your barrel up
approximately a foot above the surrounding ground.
This will allow you easy access to the spigot with a
watering can or bucket. Additionally the elevated barrel
will ensure your hose, if used, will flow properly to your
flowers. Remember that water seeks its own level. In
other words, if the end of your hose is higher than the
spigot then the water will not flow out.
Basic installation requires you to cut the downspout 8
inches above the top of the barrel. Make your
measurement for the cut considering how high you have
raised the barrel.
Attach the downspout elbow so it dispenses the water
directly onto the top of the barrel.
Attach a garden hose to the overflow fitting on the top
section of the barrel so when it is full the additional
water can be diverted away from the foundation of
your house and keep the water level below the
screening and prevent mosquitoes. DO NOT redirect
water back to the base of the home from the overflow
fitting. Connect a hose and direct the water away from
the house.
Setup Instructions
Note: If you have gutters that go directly into the ground
use the UpCycle Products Rain Water Diverter to hook up
your barrel. See “Rain Water Diverter.” You can link 2 or
more barrels together using a Linking Hose. See “Linking
Hose.”
Attach garden hose to overflow fitting and
direct away from the house.
Downspout elbow used to direct water into the
barrel. Can also use optional “Flex elbow” to
direct the water from the downspout.
The barrel may stay in place for the winter. To
prepare for the winter season, drain all of the
water out of the barrel, remove any hoses, remove
the linking fitting cap, and open the spigot. If the
barrel fills with water and freezes, it will crack and
void your warranty. You can leave them standing
all winter. Enough water will remain to keep them
from being blown over and if that small amount
freezes it will not damage the barrel.
If using an optional automatic rain water diverter,
follow the instructions that came with the diverter
to prepare the diverter for winter.
The barrels are not painted. If you want to
enhance the color or appearance of your barrel
you may paint them with paints designed
specifically to adhere to polyethylene plastic such
as Krylon brand spray paint.
UpCycle Products rain barrels carry a 1 year
warranty on the material and workmanship. The
warranty can be voided if you leave the barrel out
during the winter without opening the spigot and
linking hose fitting allowing it to fill with water and
freeze resulting in a cracked barrel.
For warranty issues, contact 815.735.9583