How to install a water butt
Rainwater can be collected from any roof as long as there is a gutter and downpipe that enters the drain at ground level. Water butts with a rain diverter collect water from the downpipe and still let the overflow enter the drain.
As well as the house, water butts can also be attached to sheds, garages, greenhouses and outbuildings - useful if you have a large garden that requires a lot of water.
When choosing the right water butt for your garden, first consider how much space is available.
Slimline water butts
Perfect for houses where space is limited, our slimline water butts come in various kits, which can include a built-in tap, a 3-part stand, and a rain diverter kit.
They’re quick and easy to install, and come in 100 and 110 litre sizes for single kits, or 200 litre double kits. Choose from the sleek and simple Mini Rainsavers, or the Polybutts.
Recycled plastic water butts
Made from up to 99% recycled plastic in our factory in Yorkshire, our bestselling ranges include the Cloudburst, Harcostar, and Mini Rainsaver. The kits include everything you need to install your water butts, featuring taps, spring operated lids, 3-part stands, linking kits (if it’s a double or triple kit), rain traps and rain diverter kits.
Decorative water butts
If you're looking for something a bit different from the standard water butts, browse our decorative styles here. Various shapes, styles and colours offer a range of choice if you want to make your water butt a feature in your garden.
Large water butts and barrels
If you're wanting to harvest as much water as possible, consider larger water butts and water barrels in sizes from 200 to 350 litres.
Preparing for installation
When installing and using your water butts, consider the following safety issues:
- Ensure you keep the lid fitted on your water butt for safety reasons and to keep insects, pests and debris out.
- Most water butts feature a lockable tap to prevent any mishaps, especially around young children or pets.
- Make sure the water butt is safely and securely attached. When empty, water butts are light enough to topple over.
Installing a water butt
Choose an area on flat, level ground, close to a downpipe, and position your water butt next to it. Now, measure the height of your water butt on the downpipe, and make a cut 3 or 4cm below this marked height, using a hacksaw.
From here, you can attach the rainwater diverter onto the bottom of the downpipe, at the cut section. It should fit securely.
Now, use a tape measure to measure 8cm down from the top of your water butt, and mark the spot. On this spot, drill a hole for the water butt connector, and simply attach this connector to the water butt by pushing it through the hole you have just drilled.
Finally, attach the water butt connector to the rainwater diverter using the fittings that come included with the water butt, and put the lid on top of the water butt, locking it into place.
Maintaining a water butt
Occasional maintenance is required to ensure your stored water is kept fresh and clean.
- Ensure gutters are kept clean - debris such as bird droppings, moss and leaves can be washed into water butts and rot, creating bad smells.
- Empty and clean water butts once a year, preferably in autumn when you don't need the water.
- Be Green Water Butt Freshener (500ml) is a useful, non-toxic treatment that helps to keep your stored water free from algae, scum and smells. It is highly concentrated so a small amount diluted with water goes a long way.
