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Collecting rain water allows you to recycle water and save money on your water bill. You can use the water in your garden, washing clothes, flushing the toilet and even drinking water if it is properly filtered. I have found that there are 7 tips on collecting rain water:
 Make sure your roof materials are safe
Water from your roof is not safe to collect if it contains lead, chromium or cadmium. Uncoated metal roofs should be painted with a paint that is suitable for potable water.
Purchase a water drum
The size of the drum depends on what you will be using the water for. To simply collect water to use in your garden a 44-gallon drum is sufficient. There are drums available up to 80-gallon capacity
Prepare an opening
If there isn't an opening on the water drum or barrel already, cut a 6 inch hole with a drywall saw. Fit a piece of screen or special water barrel filter over the opening to keep leaves and dirt out of your water.
Drill an overflow hole
Use a 1 inch keyhole drill bit and a drill to make a small hole 3 inches from the top of the barrel. Fit a small pipe into the hole to be an overflow hole. The pipe should run out onto the ground away from the barrel. If the pipe does not fit into the drilled hole, file the hole until it fits. Make sure the fit is snug. Dab water proof caulk around where the barrel and pipe connect.
Prepare the tap or hose connection.
Some water barrels are made with a tap or a hose connection. If the water drum you are using does not, drill a second, smaller hole about 1 inch from the bottom of the barrel with a 15/16 inch drill bit. Attach a spigot to the hole. The gaskets that come with the spigot will seal the space between the barrel and faucet. Apply water proof caulking around the gaskets.
Raise the water drum
Elevating the barrel 1 to 2 feet increases the pull of gravity on the water and stimulates water flow from the spigot. You can then also fit a watering can or bucket underneath the drum.
Attach a gutter pipe
Measure the length between the edge of your roof and the top of your water barrel. Cut a gutter pipe accordingly so it will reach between your roof and water drum. Attach the gutter pipe to the gutter on your roof and set the other end of the pipe on the top of your water barrel. Water will then be directed from your roof down into your water drum!
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