How does a Water Butt work?

A water butt stores rainwater so you can have it on hand for all your gardening and landscaping needs. It is an indispensable resource when it comes to saving money and always having water on hand. Water bills can add up during dry spells and having a water butt will put your mind and wallet at ease. Plus, rainwater is better for your plants than treated tap water.

There are many different styles and looks when it comes to water butts, from standard water butts to modern or rustic ones. The one that is best for you will depend on the size of your garden, how much money you want to spend, and how you will use it. Smaller space saving ones can start at 100 litres in capacity while larger ones hold up to 700 litres of rainwater, or even more. Of course, the larger and more decorative water butts are more expensive. Some water butts come with stands to sit on so the taps aren't at ground level and instead are at the right height for putting a watering can underneath.

Regardless of which style or look you are getting, they all operate in the same basic way. Rainwater is funnelled through your gutters and downpipes to reach the water butt where it then collects for future use.

Setting up a water butt is quite simple. With a few basic tools, you can install the system yourself or you can have a professional gardener do it. The most simple method is to place the waterbutt underneath an open downpipe. With the downpipe flowing directly into the waterbutt. Though this can cause issues during heavy rain if your water butt overflows.

Alternately, for more flexibility in placement, a downpipe connector attachment can be fitted to the downpipe. The downpipe connector connects to the waterbutt with special fittings and pipe, diverting water from the downpipe into the water butt and back down the pipe again when the water butt is full. Some downpipe connectors also feature filters, stopping leaves going down into the drainage or into the water butt. And they are available in various colours and sizes.

Finally, the water butt lid is locked in place to keep insects out, some water butts (particularly large ones) are then themselves secured in place (so it doesn't get knocked over), and that's it. The water butt is now ready to collect rainwater.

Don't worry about your garden the next time there is a hosepipe ban. A water butt is simple to install and will keep your garden watered and happy.

The Waterbutt Shop

We offer waterbutts to suit all tastes and budgets in a variety of shapes, sizes, styles and capacities. We provide everything from economical Standard Waterbutts, to Rustic Waterbutts you can show off with pride as a garden feature - and everything in between. And if you have a large garden and really want to take advantage, our Large Rainwater Tanks are a great place to start.