3-Tier 55 Gallon Barrel Water Storage System for Home

This shows the 3-tier water barrel storage system we use in our garage to provide water storage for our family.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Water
• storage
• home
• 55
• gallon
• barrel
• jug
• drum
• howto
• how
• to
• DIY
• garage
• bung
• emergency

[chivone21]

I like this idea, (I hope someone answers me.) What do I do if I live in a cold climate? Upstate NY. And all I have is a detached 18x20 shed that is insulated with R-13 in walls and ceiling and sits on 5" of concrete? Will all this water freeze rendering it useless in the event of need during the winter?

[incubatorwarehouse]

@chivone21

It is certainly possible that that water may freeze. If the water does freeze, it may expand enough to damage the barrels and cause leaks. Something to consider would be to add a small heater to your shed (if you have power available out there). Just enough to keep the water from freezing. Something I use on my chicken waterer in the winter is Flex Watt heat mats. You just tape a small strip to the edge of the water container and it keeps it from freezing.

[incubatorwarehouse]

@chivone21

One other option: add a ThermoCube thermostat to the power source so it only turns the heater on when the temperature gets close to freezing. They are very inexpensive and can be used with any heat source. You can find them on ebay.

[incubatorwarehouse]

Thank you! I have heard many different statements on this and it seems there are many different suggestions on how much bleach should be added. Do you have a source for this amount? It would be nice to get a consistent authoritative agreement on the amount needed.

[DouglasLee777]

Great idea and video. Lets just hope that the reason you need your emergency water isn't an earth quake! I have my water strapped to studs because we live in California...

[incubatorwarehouse]

Good idea about securing to something solid. We are going to do the same things. We're pretty safe in terms of earthquakes, but you never know.

[logicalthinker101]

Please stop using bleach. it will cause stomach problems. use chlorine 97% SODIUM DICHLORO-S-TRIAZINETRIONE ....97%......it will do a better job and when you want to use a drum you just have to let it vent for 24 hours....all of the chlorine will evaporate. this will be much safer for you and your family. I love the setup though.

[blackstang100]

What is the width on these barrels?

[MrSlambangboom]

cdc website says 8 drops per gallon

[daveme33]

would you break down the valves and drains that you use.I went to lowes and there no help.very good eye opener vid!

[gypsyjetta]

Raising the chlorine level to 3ppm (about 6-8 drops per gallon) will kill all bacteria and render the water safe for storage and drinking. Just use a simple pool water test kit to accomplish this. The water SHOULD smell SLIGHTLY of chlorine.

May I ask where you got your barrells ? The setup looks great !!

[aufheben5]

We the people has a good idea as well. I thank him as well.

[aufheben5]

Really really really cool. I have the same barrels. I never thought of stacking them.  Thanks again. *5*

[WeThePeople2020]

Idea: Tie all the barrels into each other. let the outlet of the top barrel flow directly into the bung of the middle one and the middle one flows into the bung of the bottom one. I only say this b/c yes having more water is good and that set up may only get you about 10 extra gallons, but that could mean life or death if things get bad enough. Plus when you fill the system you only need to open the to bung and fill the entire thing. Just an Idea, it works great for me. I tied 7 into each other.

[WS6Racing]

Hey good job! Keep it going and good luck!

[iwantosavemoney]

nice system