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Homemade Self-Draining Barn Water Line
Inside of a barn with stalls on the left and a PVC waterline running above the stalls with a drain line hanging down

In the winter, watering one's livestock in an unheated facility becomes a problem when the water in the piping or the pails freezes. One rather inexpensive solution is a Homemade Self-Draining Barn Water Line that's gradually sloped so it gravity-drains after each use. Descending down from the main water line at given distances will be "drop lines" that run down to pails or tanks, each line fitted with a shut-off valve to prevent the water from spraying while the other pails/tanks are being filled. One-inch-diameter PVC piping generally works well. Whatever water line is used must be well-supported so it does not droop and hold pockets of water that can freeze. After water is shut off to the main line (which is generally supplied through a hydrant), the valve on each drop line should be opened to drain and prevent pipe freezing.

Estimated Cost Cost range: See below

Limitations Limitations Addressed by Product: Lower extremity, Upper extremity, Strength/endurance, Back


SourceNed Stoller
Michigan AgrAbility
Emailstollerned@postpro.net
Est. CostMaterials: $250-$500, depending primarily on barn length and number of drop lines.
Last updated: Apr 20, 2022


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