Water butt clean in Exeter
Professional water butt clean services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
1-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Water butt emptied carefully and scrubbed out properly - all the debris, leaves, and sludge removed. Filter cleaned, everything reconnected. Collecting clean rainwater again instead of murky sludge.
When Your Water Butt's More Swamp Than Storage
You got the water butt to save water and help the garden. Now it's a murky mess full of decomposed leaves, dead insects, and mysterious sludge.
Plants don't love being watered with that. And you're not keen on sticking your hand in to investigate.
Needs emptying, proper scrubbing, and setting up right again.
💡 Pro tip: A clean filter stops most debris getting in - simple bit of kit that saves major cleaning jobs.
Why It Needs Proper Cleaning
Quick rinse doesn't shift the sludge that builds up at the bottom over time.
| ✅ Done Properly | ❌ Half-Done |
|---|---|
| Emptied without flooding garden | Water dumped in one spot (waterlogged lawn) |
| Scrubbed including the bottom | Just swilled out |
| Filter cleaned or replaced | Leaves still getting in |
| Tap checked for blockages | Still dribbling when you open it |
What's Involved
🔧 The Process
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Empty | Water drained safely across garden or to drain |
| Clean | Scrub out all debris, sludge, algae buildup |
| Check | Filter cleaned/replaced, tap checked, connections tested |
| Refill | Reconnected to downpipe, ready to collect again |
📦 You're Left With
- Actually clean water storage
- Fresh start for summer watering
- Filter that stops debris getting in
Pricing Guide
| Job | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard water butt clean | 1 hr | £60 |
| Very neglected/multiple butts | 1.5-2 hrs | £85-£110 |
| With filter replacement | 1 hr + materials | £60 + filter cost |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Basic filters are about £5-10 if needed.
Perfect For...
✅ Spring maintenance - ready for summer watering
✅ Neglected butts - years of buildup
✅ House move - inherited a manky water butt
✅ Blocked filters - tap barely dribbling
Why Choose Us for Water butt clean in Exeter?
Emptied safely without flooding your garden
Scrubbed out properly - debris and sludge removed
Filter cleaned or replaced if needed
Reconnected and collecting clean water again
What to Expect
Step 1: Empty Safely
Disconnect from downpipe, drain the water in places that can handle it. If it's really grim, I'll drain to the main drain instead of over your plants.
Step 2: Scrub Out
Proper clean with a brush - bottom, sides, all the debris that's built up. This is the bit that actually makes the difference.
Step 3: Reconnect & Test
Filter cleaned or replaced, everything reconnected to the downpipe. Next rainfall and you're collecting clean water again.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you want to tackle it yourself:
🔧 What you'll need
- Stiff brush or broom head
- Bucket or pump for emptying
- Hose for rinsing
- Old clothes (you'll get wet and dirty)
- Replacement filter if current one's knackered
💧 Emptying technique
- Use the tap to drain as much as possible first
- Bucket out the rest or siphon it
- Spread the water around - don't flood one spot
- Tip the butt over for final dregs (if you can lift it)
🧽 Cleaning process
- Scrub the bottom thoroughly - that's where sludge collects
- Work around the sides
- Rinse multiple times - once isn't enough
- Check the tap outlet isn't blocked
- Clean or replace the filter
🔧 Filter maintenance
- Most filters just lift out
- Rinse under a hose or tap
- If it's clogged solid or broken, replace it (cheap)
- Fit it properly - gap around it means leaves get through
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Emptying too fast in one spot (waterlogged patch)
- Not cleaning the bottom (that's where the worst is)
- Skipping the filter (sludge builds up faster)
- Not rinsing enough times
- Reconnecting while there's still debris inside
💡 Pro trick: A capful of white vinegar in the rinse water helps with algae and kills bacteria. Rinse again after so plants don't get vinegar later.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌧️ Best time to clean: Early spring before the growing season starts. You want clean water stored for when plants actually need it in summer.
Multiple water butts? If they're connected in series, clean them at the same time - no point having clean water flowing into a dirty one downstream.
Really old plastic water butts? Check for cracks and brittle plastic while I'm cleaning. Sometimes they're past saving and replacement's the better option.
Live near trees? Your water butt probably fills with leaves fast. A decent filter is worth its weight in gold - stops you having to clean it every month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does water butt cleaning involve?
I disconnect it from the downpipe, empty it without flooding your garden, scrub out all the debris and sludge that builds up over time, clean or replace the filter, and reconnect everything so it's collecting clean water again. Much more thorough than just scooping the surface.
How often should a water butt be cleaned?
Once a year is ideal, usually spring so it's ready for summer watering. If you've got leaves getting in or it's been neglected for years, it might need a proper deep clean. You'll know it needs doing when the water's murky or there's sludge visible.
What do you do with all the water when you empty it?
Spread it over your garden in spots that can handle it - not all dumped in one place. If the water's particularly manky, I can dispose of it via the drain instead. Either way, your lawn doesn't end up waterlogged.
Can you clean really old water butts that haven't been touched in years?
Yes - they're usually the most satisfying. Might take a bit longer if there's years of sludge caked in there, but it's doable. I'll let you know if the butt itself is too far gone (cracked, brittle plastic) and needs replacing instead.
Do I need to provide cleaning materials?
No, I bring what's needed. Just needs access to water for rinsing (hose or outside tap). If your filter's broken or missing, I'll advise on replacement - they're cheap and make a big difference.
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