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 the 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 or screen:
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
ccc
at most home centers.
Troubleshooting
Lid must be secured at all times
to prevent injury to children.
WARNING
Warnings regarding potential hazards
Tilting/Tipping Hazard
Wear Safety Glasses
Infestation Hazard
Wear Safety Gloves
Electrocution Hazard
Installation Hazard
Drowning Hazard
Contamination Hazard
WARNING
The barrel must be installed
on a solid and level base.
WARNING
Stored rainwater is not for human
or animal consumption
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
3"x 4"
3”
4”
2"x 3"
3”
2”
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 on
ei
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 3”
ei
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 hose seal.
Use soapy water or hand lotion on the hose cuff and
seal to reduce friction and improve fit.
If using an open top barrel with lid make sure the lid is secure and latched. Do
not leave the lid off for extended periods of time. The barrel may bow from
the weight of the water and make fitting the lid difficult.
Connecting the barrel
11
WARNING
Wear Safety Glasses
WARNING
Wear Safety Gloves
WARNING
Electrocution Hazard
WARNING
Installation Hazard
1
WARNING
Wear Safety Glasses
WARNING
Wear Safety Gloves
WARNING
Electrocution Hazard
WARNING
Installation Hazard
2-1/8”
(54mm)
Hole Saw
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 with
the 2 screws.
4. Store rain barrel and diverter for winter.
Winterizing the barrel
2
3
WARNING
Tipping Hazard
6
About the FlexiFit Diverter
DO NOT CUT THE DOWNSPOUT UNTIL READING THE ENTIRE GUIDE!
The FlexiFit diverter redirects water from your downspout to the barrel and
automatically passes water through the downspout when the barrel is full
of rainwater.
The diverter is installed in a hole that is cut in the downspout.
1. The hole must be cut at the correct height for the diverter to work
properly.
2. If the diverter is installed too low, the barrel will not fill properly.
3. If the diverter is installed too high, water will overflow from the rim of
the barrel (this only applies to open top barrels).
IMPORTANT: There are two ways to install the diverter depending on the type
of barrel you use. If the barrel is a sealed container without a lid or screen, the
diverter can be located at the same level as the rim of the barrel or higher. This will
improve the filling efficiency of the diverter.
If the barrel has a removable lid or screen, the center of the diverter hole must be
drilled 3” (76mm) below the level of the rim of the barrel to prevent water from
leaking from the lid seam or screen. The diverter will not work if it is placed below
the level of the water inlet on the barrel.
The diverter provided in this kit is not for use with round downspouts.
A round downspout diverter available as an accessory at
www.earthmindedconsumerproducts.com
WARNING
Damage to home or
property may occur if
improperly installed.
3
INCORRECT
If the hole is cut too low,
the barrel will not fill.
INCORRECT
For open top containers
or containers with screens
only, If the hole is cut too
high, water will overflow
from the barrel rim.
1
2
CORRECT
7
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 or screen):
measure and
make a mark on the CENTER of the downspout.
3. For open top containers only:
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
Be sure to take any 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 make the 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
3”
2
Remove lid
for measuring
Open Top Container
Sealed Barrel
3”
1
3
2
3
downspout
downspout
TIP
Soapy water or
hand lotion on
the hose cuff and
rubber seal reduces
friction and makes
insertion easier
TIP
Soapy water or
hand lotion on
the hose cuff and
rubber seal reduces
friction and makes
insertion easier
