When we ordered our new rain barrel we did it in a hurry because it sounded like a good idea and we wanted to get it installed before the winter rains stopped.   After I made the order I realized that I had absolutely no idea on what to do with it once it arrived.   The manufactures must have had me in mind when the packaged the rain barrel for shipment.  One of the first things I came across when opening the box was detailed rain barrel instructions for the assembly and maintenance of it.  The were so simple that even I could follow them.