Harcostar Overflow Kit

Product Information

A rainwater diverter is a pipe connected to both the downspout and the water butt, allowing you to syphon off water without overflowing the butt. This is the more popular option, although it will require more effort and tools to install. Step 2: Measure the Cut (Downspout Replacement)

Once that is in place, you can then attach the diverter to the water butt. Always start with the downspout. You can always move the water butt to the appropriate place, however, you will find it rather difficult to move the house. Water butts typically come equipped with an overflow mechanism to prevent excess water from causing an overflow. However, sometimes these mechanisms may be faulty or inadequate. If your water butt didn't come with a stand, or you made a do-it-yourself butt from an old plastic wheelie bin or other suitable container, there's the option to buy a stand separately. A stand is crucial to allow you fill a watering can or other water carrier below the tap on a butt. It will also help to create a tad more water pressure by way of gravitational force. Before you read about how to install a water butt, it’s important to have an idea of what water butt you intend to install. Different water butts will require a different installation technique depending on their design.There are a wide variety of water butts. These range from slimline water butts that are designed to fit even the smallest gardens, to recycled water butts made from standard garden bins, to even stylish designer water butts made by the big fashion houses (ok, maybe not fashion houses, but they still look pretty). There are several advantages to using rain water diverters. By providing a free source of water that can be used for a wide number of jobs – which includes everything from topping up ponds and maintaining compost to car-washing and even toilet flushing – they can help to cut utility costs for homes or commercial buildings with water meters. As well as helping you to save money, recycling rainwater benefits the environment too, which is a key reason why more and more homeowners are investing in rain diverter systems. Ensure your water butt has a properly fitted overflow outlet or pipe. This allows excess water to drain out without overflowing the sides!” Hi PP, there's no valve as such. The box section on the downpipe has a sloping internal 'channel' on all four sides which feed the outlet pipe. This channel I guess is 10mm by 10mm or so all the way round. As water runs down from the gutter on the inside edge of the downpipe it falls into this channel which then flows into the water butt. Now, the theory, if I understand it correctly is that when the butt is full the outlet pipe eventual fills up which in turn fills this channel up in the downpipe and therefore any more water that flows down from the gutter is in effect passed over the edge of this channel and down the downpipe to the soak away. That's the theory anyway! To install your water butt, simply measure the height of your water butt, ensuring you mark the height on the downspout.

There are also plenty of cleaning accessories available for cleaning the interior of a water butt. The products available to buy for reducing smells, scum, algae, harmful bacteria and green water come in liquid or tablet form. There are also silver and copper anti-microbial water cleaner discs which use industrial silver which is also found in water purifiers and other cleansing devices. These tablets can destroy fungal and micro-organisms and are also safe to use in ponds, fish tanks, horse troughs and bird baths. The most common reason that I see people’s water butts overflowing is that their rainwater diverter is placed too high on the drainpipe – The height of the diverter must not be higher than the max fill line of your water butt! Step 5 – Determine the Need for Diverter Installation Most water butts come with all the essential parts, instructions and basic accessories to get you up and running - but there are plenty of other handy extras you can buy to really get the best out of your new water harvesting container.Once you’ve completed the downspout cut, you then need to drill a hole in the water butt. This hole needs to: A downspout replacement is where you cut off part of the downpipe and place the water butt directly below it. This will require the installation of an overflow pipe. Invest in a rainwater diverter kit that automatically redirects excess water away from the water butt once it reaches a certain level. This helps prevent overflow by diverting water to a suitable drainage area!” Frequently Asked Questions

There are various accessories which can support your water-harvesting efforts - a submersible electric pump, for example, will allow you to get more pressurised water from your container. So, if you’re tired of watching the April showers drain away before being hit with hosepipe bans in May and June, then this guide will help you save money and harness the water that falls on your land. Rainwater Diverter Installed on Drainpipe Step 6 – Clean and Maintain Your Rainwater Collection System If your water butt doesn’t have an overflow mechanism, it is crucial to install one. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions provided with an overflow kit to fit an overflow outlet or pipe at an appropriate height. If you’re installing a downspout, simply slide the downspout through the specially designed water butt hole. You can then move onto the final step below.One essential accessory is the rain diverter kit which is is used to effectively direct rainwater from a downpipe into your water butt. Ensure your water butt is placed on level ground, as this helps prevent instability and potential tipping. Position it away from trees or overhanging branches that could drop debris into the butt!” Downpipe plastic or mesh guards are excellent accessories which will stop leaves and other debris getting into your water butt. There are very easy to install and feature flexible slats to enable you to adjust them to fit the width of any downpipe opening.