homestead.fyi / IBCCATCH

IBC Rainwater Catchment

A 275 gal IBC tote on a 36 in stand of 4x4 legs, 2x6 beams and a plywood deck, with a first-flush diverter and a spigot.

Draft plan, generated from the model. Not yet build-tested.
275 galTank
52 x 44 x 36 inStand
2,300 lbWeight full
6 to 10 hrBuild time
~$293.86Materials, part estimate

Drawings All dimensions in inches

3D viewfinished
3D view
Front elevation
Front elevation 59 3/4 in 82 in
Right elevation
Right elevation 44 in 82 in
Plan viewfrom above
Plan view 59 3/4 in 44 in

Cut list: lumber Long-point lengths; angles noted

QtyStockLengthPartCut
12x6 GC37End lefton edge, between the legs
12x6 GC37End righton edge, between the legs
12x6 GC37Midon edge
22x6 GC20 3/4Beam fronton edge, between the legs
22x6 GC20 3/4Beam backon edge, between the legs
64x4 PT29 3/4Leg

Cut list: sheet goods

PartStockSizeNote
Deck 13/4 ply48 x 44cut 48 x 44
Deck 23/4 ply4 x 44cut 4 x 44

Lumber cutting diagram Lengths chosen for the lowest cost; 1/8 in kerf, 1/2 in end trim

2x6 GC x 10 ft
End left 37End right 37Beam front 1 20 3/4Beam front 2 20 3/4
2x6 GC x 8 ft
Mid 37Beam back 1 20 3/4Beam back 2 20 3/4
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Leg 1 29 3/4Leg 2 29 3/4Leg 3 29 3/4
4x4 PT x 8 ft
Leg 4 29 3/4Leg 5 29 3/4Leg 6 29 3/4

Sheet cutting diagrams Dashed = openings to cut out

Sheet 1: 3/4 in plywood, 4 x 8 ft
Deck 148 x 44Deck 244 x 4

Shopping list $231.86 checked / $62.00 estimated

ItemStoreQtyEachLineNote
2x6x10 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot1$12.98$12.98see lumber cutting diagram
2x6x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot1$9.78$9.78see lumber cutting diagram
4x4x8 ground-contact pressure-treatedHome Depot2$11.28$22.56see lumber cutting diagram
23/32 in (3/4 in) CDX plywood, 4x8 sheetLowe's1$46.57$46.57see sheet cutting diagrams
275 gal IBC tote, used, in a steel cageUG Jax or Container Exchanger1$110.00$110.00
First-flush diverter fittings, 3 inAmazon or a rain barrel shop1$35.00$35.00
3/4 in bulkhead spigot and barrel fittingsHome Depot1$15.00$15.00
Exterior wood screws #9 x 2.5 in, 5 lb boxHome Depot1$29.97$29.97
3/4 in PVC fittings, assortedHome Depot1$12.00$12.00
Total before tax~$293.86
Filled dot: price read from a store listing on Oct 20, 2026. Hollow dot: estimate. Prices come from the master price list, so they change when it changes.

Build steps

  1. Pick a level site beside the downspout, on a pad of 4 in compacted gravel, 5 ft by 4 ft, out of the way of the foundation by at least 6 ft.
  2. Cut six 4x4 legs to 29 3/4 in and the 2x6 beams. Screw the beams between the legs, on edge, flush with the tops.
  3. Cut the plywood deck in two pieces and screw it down every 6 in with the joint on the middle beam.
  4. Lift the IBC onto the deck with two people. Cut a 6 in hole in the top for the inlet, screened. Fit a spigot at the bottom and an overflow near the top.
  5. Fit a first-flush diverter on the downspout: a 3 in pipe, 54 in tall, with a float ball and a slow drip, to catch the first dirty water.

Before you start