Water butt installation in Exeter
Professional water butt installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
45-60 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Professional water butt installation - connected to your downpipe with a proper diverter kit, positioned on a stable base, ready to collect free rainwater for your garden.
Free Garden Water
Water butts are brilliant - free water for plants, reduce mains bills, better for your garden than treated tap water. But installation isn't just placing a barrel under a downpipe. Getting it connected properly makes the difference.
💧 Diverter kit is key. Without one, your butt overflows. With one, it fills and drains automatically.
Why Proper Installation Matters
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Common Problems |
|---|---|
| Diverter fitted properly | Overflows everywhere |
| Solid level base | Tips over when full |
| Tap accessible | Can't fill watering can |
| Automatic operation | Manual faffing |
What You Get
🔧 Full Installation
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Best downpipe identified |
| Base | Solid foundation prepared |
| Cut | Downpipe section removed |
| Diverter | Kit fitted properly |
| Position | Butt placed and levelled |
| Test | Everything working |
📦 Water Butt Types
- Standard plastic butts
- Slimline butts
- Larger tanks (300L+)
- Decorative styles
- Linked systems
Pricing Guide
| Service | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Water butt installation | 45-60 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after.
Perfect For...
✅ Single butts - Standard installation
✅ Slimline models - Space-saving positions
✅ Round or square downpipes - Different kits available
✅ Free garden water - Devon rain put to use
Why Choose Us for Water butt installation in Exeter?
Connected to downpipe with proper diverter kit
Positioned level and stable on proper base
Overflow managed so no flooding
Free rainwater for your garden from day one
What to Expect
Step 1: Assess Position
Best downpipe identified, ground conditions checked, space confirmed, base requirements discussed.
Step 2: Install
Base prepared, downpipe cut, diverter fitted, water butt positioned, connections made, system tested.
Step 3: Ready for Rain
Tap operation demonstrated, overflow explained, maintenance tips given, ready for next rainfall.
🔧 DIY Tips
Installing it yourself? Here's what matters:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Hacksaw (for downpipe)
- Drill
- Spirit level
- Diverter kit (match your pipe)
📐 Key steps
- Check downpipe type (round/square)
- Prepare solid, level base first
- Cut downpipe carefully
- Fit diverter following kit instructions
- Test with hosepipe before rain
⚠️ Common mistakes
- No diverter (overflow flooding)
- Weak base (tips when full)
- Tap too low for watering cans
- Wrong diverter for pipe type
💡 Pro trick: Before cutting the downpipe, test the height with your watering can. You need the tap high enough to fit the can underneath with room to spare. Adjust butt/stand height accordingly.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌧️ Devon rain fills these fast - our climate means water butts fill quickly. Use it regularly to maintain capacity for the next rain.
Rainwater benefits:
- Naturally soft water
- No chlorine or fluoride
- Plants prefer it
- Completely free
Maintenance:
- Empty and clean annually
- Check diverter connection
- Clear any debris from top
- Protect tap from freezing in winter
Frequently Asked Questions
What's involved in installing a water butt?
More than placing a barrel. Downpipe needs cutting and diverter kit fitted - this fills the butt and overflows back to drain when full. Needs stable base. Tap position matters for watering can access. Done properly, it works automatically.
Do I need a stand?
Yes - water butts need elevation so you can get a watering can under the tap. Factory stands, bricks, or paving slabs work. Full water butt is very heavy (200L = 200kg). Base must be solid and level.
What happens when it's full?
The diverter kit handles this automatically. When full, water bypasses to the downpipe and drains normally. Without proper diverter, you'd get overflow flooding.
Can you link multiple butts together?
Yes - linking kits connect multiple butts so they fill sequentially. Useful for more storage capacity. More complex installation if wanted.
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