In this article we will talk about how to make a faucet in plastic barrel using simple shut-off valves that can be purchased at any plumbing store. But before we begin this simple task, let’s decide what is the need to equip the container with drainage mechanisms.
Currently, purchasing a plastic container for 200 liters or more does not seem to be problematic. These useful containers can be used to accumulate and store water intended for watering a summer cottage for landscaping summer shower etc.
However, there is a problem: plastic containers, most often, are not equipped with drain mechanism. At the same time, the price of a barrel with an already installed tap is high, and therefore it’s time to learn how to make an adjustable drain with your own hands.
So, how to install a tap on a plastic barrel and what is needed for this?
We select the necessary fittings and consumables
Before attaching the faucet to a plastic barrel, let's decide what is needed for this.
In addition to the barrel itself, you will need a special fitting, tight gaskets to seal the connection and shut-off valves that will fit the design of the fitting.
A mortise fitting with a seal is a type of fitting designed to seal a pipe or flexible hose to plastic or metal containers.
Fittings of this type, presented on the market, are divided into polymer and metal products based on the type of production materials.
- Metal fittings for insertion are made of of stainless steel or made of brass. Such fittings are good for corrosion resistance, strength and durability.
Important: When purchasing mortise fittings, avoid purchasing low-quality, cheap products, as such fittings are often made from silumin.
As a result, after literally a couple of months of operation, such an insert will become unusable, since the material used in production will crumble.
- Polymer fittings for hermetically sealed devices, they are most often made of polyethylene.
The advantage of polyethylene products is their elasticity. As a result, even if the nut is overtightened, it will not crack and will ensure the required tightness.
Important: Polymer tapping devices are not designed for installation in containers with a volume of more than 100 liters, as they can withstand pressure of no more than 4 atmospheres.
Choosing best option From the range of products on the market, we pay attention to the end of the mortise fitting. To install full-fledged shut-off valves, we need a product with a threaded end. If a plastic barrel is used to collect water used for irrigation, you can use a fitting with an end designed for fixing a flexible hose.
Now we know what we need to purchase for insertion, but before inserting the faucet into a plastic barrel, we need to choose the right one shut-off valves.
The valve must match the diameter of the fitting end. In addition, it is desirable that these devices are made of the same materials. That is, it is advisable to install shut-off valves made of similar materials on a brass insert. The same is true for stainless steel products.
For use of plastic drums in living conditions There are two types of taps:
- traditional modifications with one rotary valve are a universal, easy-to-install solution, the price of which is low;
- ball valve "American" - optimal solution for arranging a summer shower and similar structures where the shut-off valves are located motionless.
Features of installation work
So, now a few words about how to install a tap in a plastic barrel.
Instructions for carrying out installation work simple:
- In the lower part plastic container make a mark at the site of the upcoming insert.
- Insert a drill into the electric drill, the diameter of which is 1-1.5 mm larger diameter fitting seat.
- We drill a hole and clean its edges from burrs and irregularities.
- Next, remove the union fixing nut from the fitting and leave one o-ring.
- We insert the prepared fitting into the hole from inside the barrel.
- Next, we put an O-ring on the outer part of the fitting and attach a fixing nut.
- Now, holding the mortise device from the inside of the barrel, tighten the union nut from the outside.
- After the installation is completed, we begin installing the shut-off valves. We select the valve in accordance with the diameter of the fitting. When screwing the tap onto the insert shank, use a second wrench to hold the union nut.
- Upon completion of installation, water is poured into the container and the tightness of the connection is checked. If no leaks are found, the installation can be considered successful.
Now that we know how to attach a tap to a plastic barrel, let’s take a closer look at the operating features of such structures.
Features of application
Plastic container with installed drain fittings- This is a useful structure in everyday life that can be used to satisfy various household needs.
Among the application possibilities we note the following:
- Installations for watering plants are simply irreplaceable in rural areas and summer cottage. Often, due to the lack of a connection to the water supply, well water is used for irrigation, which is accumulated in barrels. Again, a special 200-liter container can be placed under the drain and thus collect rainwater.
An important condition efficient operation irrigation systems assembled on the basis of barrels with a tap, is the difference in levels. In other words, the barrel should be located an order of magnitude higher than the end of the watering hose.
In this case, the movement of water by gravity will be ensured and, as a result, the creation of pressure. To do this, the container is installed under the roof overhang on a pedestal about 1.5 meters high. The barrel is held drainpipe, along which it will flow rainwater. The tap is installed at the bottom of the barrel walls or at the bottom. - The summer shower is arranged in a similar way. The container is mounted on a frame, which serves as a booth.
An insert is made in the bottom of the barrel and a fitting is installed on which a tap and strainer are attached. The second insert is made in the upper part of the container. A flexible hose is attached to this fitting, through which water will be supplied from the water main or from the well using a submersible pump.
The logic of using this design is that the filled container heats up under the sun for a certain time, transferring heat to the water. Thus, having filled the container in the morning, after lunch you can use water heated to approximately +50°C.
Conclusion
Now we know how to screw a tap into a plastic barrel and how to use the result for its intended purpose. All that remains is to purchase the necessary fittings and do simple installation work.
Still have questions that require clarification? In this case, more useful information can be found by watching the video in this article.
Plastic barrels are widely used in various fields activities - can be used for storing and transporting oils, fuels, chemical substances and other liquids. But if the container is used in everyday life as a storage tank for water, it becomes necessary to screw a tap into it so that it is convenient to use the contents.
Technology for installing a tap in a barrel with a large hole using an “American” coupling
One person cannot cope with the task on his own; if the barrel is even 200 liters, he will need an assistant. The following materials are needed:
- American coupling straight 3/4 inch with internal and external thread;
- valve with external thread;
- screw;
- 2 rubber gaskets;
- 2 washers of suitable size (you can make homemade ones from plastic).
A hole is prepared in a plastic barrel using a drill with an 18-19 mm drill bit. The “American” should not fit into it freely, but should be screwed in with some effort.
The assembly sequence is as follows:
- the “American” is assembled and a tap is screwed into it;
- A plastic washer and a rubber gasket are placed on the coupling from the external thread side;
- the assembled structure is tightly inserted into the hole on the barrel;
- inside the container, a gasket is put on the “American”, and then a washer;
- the nut is attached and securely tightened.
For more effective sealing, the junction between the inside and outside of the barrel can be treated with silicone sealant.
The sequence of installing a tap in a barrel with a narrow neck using a fitting
For this method, you will need a fitting with external threads on both sides (without a flange in the middle) or a regular short-length tube with a continuous external thread. On one end you need to put an elastic gasket, a washer and screw the nut to the middle (if a tube) or all the way (if a fitting).
A hole is drilled in the barrel. A strong rope is taken, passed through the neck and released into the tap hole. A prepared fitting is put on the rope, and any limiter is tied to its edge, which will fit into the narrow neck of the container, but will stop in the fitting (tube).
The rope with the fitting must be pulled from the side of the hole for installing the faucet very carefully so that the washer and gasket do not fall off. After the device gets into the slot, a gasket and washer are put on the tube (fitting) and tightened tightly with a nut. The tap is screwed onto the remaining thread.
Anyone who has ever used barrels or large canisters knows how inconvenient it is to drain liquid from them, especially if they are filled to the top. To simplify this task, the container can be improved, namely, by embedding a drain valve into it. Below we will look in detail at how to embed a tap into a barrel so that the container does not lose its tightness.
General information
The drain valve is very convenient device, since thanks to it the container does not need to be turned over or lifted. In addition, draining is carried out carefully, without splashing liquid, which is also extremely important in some cases.
Inserting a tap into a barrel is a relatively simple procedure that anyone can do home handyman. The only thing to note is that this process largely depends on the material from which the container is made.
Therefore, below we will look at how to embed a crane into iron barrel and a plastic container.
Drain insert
In a metal barrel
The drain should be placed as low as possible. However, you should not do this at the bottom, since such an insert will significantly reduce the functionality of the structure and will require a special pedestal for it.
For insertion you will need the following materials:
The price of all these materials is not high, so the costs of this operation are minimal.
Note!
Before you start inserting the drain, you should clean the inner surface of the container from dirt and rust.
So, the instructions for doing this work are as follows:
- Before cutting the faucet into a metal barrel, you need to mark the location of the drain. To do this, you can use a regular compass.
- Then you need to drill a hole in the indicated place. If necessary, the hole can be widened with a round file. The main thing is that it matches the diameter of the drive.
- Next, screw the lock nut on the side of the short thread of the outlet, after which it is inserted from the outside into the prepared hole.
- After this, you need to attach a second lock nut from the inside..
- Fum tape should be wound around the free part of the thread and applied liberally.
- After this, you need to carefully tighten the connection. This must be done with force so that the wall deforms at the point of compression.
- Now all that remains is to screw the shut-off valves to the squeegee and check the functionality of the system.
This completes the process of inserting the drain with your own hands.
In a plastic barrel
Now let's look at how to embed a tap into a plastic barrel. It is best to perform this procedure using a hot-melt gun and hot glue.
If there is no such tool, then inserting a tap into a plastic barrel can be done using threaded connection. The only thing in this case is to take care of sealing the joint.
This is done as follows:
- As in the previous case, before cutting a tap into a plastic barrel, you need to mark and drill a hole. If the plastic is soft, the hole can be cut with scissors or sharp knife.
- Then you need to prepare a mortise tap for the plastic barrel. To do this, you need to install a large metal washer and a waterproofing rubber gasket on the thread side.
- Next, you need to apply sealant to the gasket and washer, as shown in the photo.
- After this, the inlet pipe of the device must be inserted into the hole and, on the other side, also put a rubber gasket and washer on the thread, treating the joint with sealant.
- To complete the work, you need to screw a nut onto the thread from the inside.
Often the container has a narrow neck, making it impossible to tighten the nut from the inside. In this case, you will need a fitting with a flange on one side.
In this case, the work is performed in the following order:
- First of all, you need to make a hole in the container according to the diameter of the fitting.
- Then the fitting must be secured to a metal wire, which will allow you to push it into the hole from the inside of the canister through the neck and then pull out the wire. To do this, you can tie a limiter to the wire on one side.
In the photo there is a fitting with a flange
- Before inserting the fitting into the hole, the area where the flange meets the wall of the container must be lubricated with sealant; you can also use a rubber gasket.
- Next, the wire is pushed through the neck into the hole and thus the fitting is pulled out. Holding it with wire, onto the thread with outside You should screw on the locknut, having previously installed the rubber gasket and treated the joint with sealant.
- To complete the work, you need to screw the shut-off valve onto the fitting.
Advice!
To make the canister more convenient, you can cut a second neck into it, with opposite side relative to the first.
In this case, the water will drain evenly.
This completes the insertion process.
Conclusion
Inserting a tap into a container does not require a lot of money and effort, but at the same time makes it much more convenient to use. The only thing is that this operation should be performed carefully, adhering to the above recommendations, so as not to damage the product.
From the video in this article you can glean some additional information on this topic.
Those who use plastic canisters know how inconvenient it is to use them and pour something from them, especially when they are full. The canister will definitely “gurgle” and spill some of the contents past. And it’s good if it’s just water, and not gasoline, oil or a flammable mixture for two-stroke engine lawnmowers or chainsaws. You have to lift the canister completely in your hands so that its neck is at the very top, and carefully drain the contents. But the canister can be quite heavy and contain dangerous liquids. In addition, funnels are constantly required large diameter so that this content does not spill out during the “gurgle”.
To avoid such troubles, you need to equip the canister with another “neck” - a small diameter fitting with a stopper, or a small tap. Through them you will consume the contents of the canister.
The tools we need are a hot-melt gun and hot-melt glue. With their help in plastic canister You can glue any fitting or tap perfectly and reliably. To do this, it is enough to make a hole in a place convenient for further use of the canister and glue in the fitting.
But this technique is good to use when the flange of the fitting is not located flush with its end, but rather in the middle of the fitting. Then part of the fitting fits inside the canister and is perfectly fixed. And secondly, the contents of the canister are not under pressure. Otherwise, it will constantly strive to tear the fitting out of the canister wall. And adhesives do not work very well on tearing.
Therefore, it is always good if the flange of the fitting is located inside the canister. Then the liquid pressure would always press the flange of the fitting or tap to the wall of the canister and would not tear it off. But how can you do this if the neck of the canister is narrow and your hand cannot fit through it?
The problem is actually solved quite simply, with the help of a strong rope or wire. We pass it through the neck of the canister and release it through the hole for the fitting. This rope or wire will serve as both a conductor for the fitting and a clamp when gluing it.
We put a fitting on a rope or wire, and tie a “plug” to the rope, such that it goes into the neck of the canister, but does not go into the fitting itself. It is advisable to leave a “tail” on the rope behind the cork, by which we will then pull the cork back. Now our fitting, as if by a thread (it is actually on a thread), will fall into the desired hole. If you pull the rope or wire, the plug will press the fitting to the wall and we can apply glue without any problems. Or rather, it must be applied immediately before pressing the fitting.
Of course, you can also use the threaded method of attaching the fitting to the wall of the canister. It is only necessary to use reliable elastic gaskets to seal the joint between the fitting and the canister wall.
This way you can equip the canister with another neck and it will become much more convenient to use. To prevent the canister from “gurgling,” before using a new neck, you need to slightly unscrew the cap on the main neck so that air can freely penetrate into the canister as the liquid flows out of it.
The photo shows an example of how a “faucet” from a bag of wine is embedded in a canister. Supermarkets sell wine in 3-5 liter boxes. In fact, inside the cardboard bag there is a plastic bag equipped with a tap that operates on the principle of “press and flow.” The package itself is quite problematic to use. But the faucet from it can serve. With the help of such a canister it is extremely convenient to fill a chainsaw or lawn mower with the fuel mixture. No funnel is required. The spout of the tap is quite narrow, it is brought to the filler neck of the gas tank and a stream of the fuel mixture flows directly into the tank. “Not a drop of fuel for the enemy” (and on the ground). You can add fuel for literally a minute of operation. This is usually important when operating 2-stroke engines, since it is not recommended to leave fuel in the tank and especially the carburetor. Gasoline evaporates, oil remains, and as a result - a serious complication of the next start. Therefore, it is better to refuel at least 2-3 times during operation than to fill the fuel “under the cap” and then drain it or empty it.
It is also convenient to cut (glue) the second neck into the canister at the top, but on the opposite side, relative to the main neck. This second neck makes using the canister much more convenient.
Sometimes a summer resident has at his disposal metal barrels with a narrow hole in one of the bottoms, closed with a screw-on cap. Using such barrels directly is very difficult and inconvenient. The neck of such a barrel is so narrow that even a child’s hand will not fit into it. And the summer resident, creaking his heart, makes up his mind and cuts off the lid metal barrel entirely. But precipitation, garbage, dust fly into an open barrel... The water in the barrel becomes polluted much faster. Or he refuses to use such a barrel altogether.
The method described above makes it easy to insert the fitting into any place in the barrel. Either to the bottom or to the side surface. Of course, either welding or epoxy resin, or simply, a threaded connection with gaskets. Thus, the summer resident can use “inconvenient” barrels for their intended purpose. It is especially good to use such a barrel as an intermediate receiver at low pressure, 0.3 - 0.5 atm, since open barrels cannot be used in this way. Or as a container for a summer shower. Neither dirt nor debris will get into such a barrel. And it’s easier to insulate such a barrel. You can also use the barrel in a “lying” position, and not just vertically. Sometimes it's the most the best way its placement, for example as storage tank for water in the attic.
Anyone who has ever used barrels or huge canisters knows how uncomfortable it is to drain liquid from them, especially if they are filled to the top. To simplify this task, it is possible to improve the container, in particular, to embed a drain valve into it. Below we will look in detail at how to embed a tap into a barrel so that the container does not lose its tightness.
Non-specialized information
The drain valve is a very ergonomic device, since thanks to it the container does not need to be turned over or lifted. In addition, draining is carried out carefully, without splashing liquid, which is also very important in some cases.
Inserting a tap into a barrel is a relatively simple procedure that every home craftsman can do. The only thing to emphasize is that this process greatly depends on the material from which the container is made.
Based on this, below we will look at how to embed a tap into a metal barrel and a plastic container.
Drain insert
In an iron barrel
Place the drain as low as possible. But this should not be done at the bottom, since such an insert will significantly reduce the functionality of the structure and will require a special pedestal for it.
The following materials will be useful for insertion:
The price of all these materials is not high, so the costs for this operation are minimal.
Note! Before you start inserting the drain, you should clean the inner surface of the container from dirt and rust.
So, the instructions for performing this work look like this:
- Before cutting the tap into an iron barrel, you need to mark the location of the drain. To do this, you can use a simple compass.
- After this, you need to drill a hole in the indicated place.. If necessary, the hole can be enlarged with a round file. The main thing is that it matches the diameter of the drive.
- Then, from the side of the small thread of the drive, screw on the lock nut, after which it is inserted from the outside into the prepared hole.
- Then you need to tighten the second locknut from the inside.
- Wrap fum tape onto the free part of the thread and apply liberally silicone sealant for pipes
- Then you need to carefully tighten the connection. This must be done with force so that the wall deforms at the point of compression.
- Now all that remains is to screw the shut-off valves to the squeegee and check the functionality of the system.
This completes the process of inserting the drain with your own hands.
In a plastic barrel
Now let's look at how to embed a tap into a plastic barrel. It is best to perform this procedure using a hot-melt gun and hot-melt glue.
If there is no similar tool, then inserting the tap into a plastic barrel can also be done using a threaded connection. The only thing in this case is to take care of sealing the joint.
This is done as follows:
- As in the previous case, before cutting a tap into a plastic barrel, you need to mark and drill a hole. If the plastic is soft, the hole can be cut with scissors or a sharp knife.
- After this, you need to prepare a mortise tap for the plastic barrel. To do this, it is necessary to install a huge iron washer and a waterproofing rubber gasket on the thread side.
- Then you need to apply sealant to the gasket and washer, as shown in the photo.
- Then the inlet pipe of the device must be inserted into the hole and, in addition, put a rubber gasket and washer on the thread, treating the joint with sealant.
- To finish the work, screw a nut onto the thread from the inside.
Usually the container has a narrow neck, as a result of which it is impossible to tighten the nut from the inside. Under such conditions, a fitting with a flange on one side is useful.
Work under such conditions is performed in the following order:
- First of all, it is necessary to make a hole in the container according to the diameter of the fitting.
- After this, the fitting must be secured to an iron wire, which will allow you to push it into the hole from the inside of the canister through the neck and then pull out the wire. To do this, it is possible to tie a limiter to the wire on one side.
- Before inserting the fitting into the hole, the area where the flange meets the wall of the container must be lubricated with sealant; in addition, a rubber gasket can be used.
- Then the wire is pushed through the neck into the hole and so the fitting is pulled out. Holding it with wire, screw the locknut onto the thread from the outside, after installing the rubber gasket and treating the joint with sealant.
- At the end of the work, you need to screw the shut-off valve onto the fitting.
Advice! In order to make the canister more ergonomic, it is possible to cut a second neck into it, on the opposite side to the first. Under such conditions, the water will drain evenly.
This completes the insertion process.
Conclusion
Inserting a tap into a container does not require a huge investment of money and effort, but at the same time it makes it much more ergonomic to use. The only thing is to do this operation carefully, adhering to the above recommendations, so as not to break the product.
From the video in this article it is possible to glean some additional information on this topic.