Water butt setup in Exeter
Professional water butt setup 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 installed in your new garden, connected to downpipe, positioned on stable base. Free rainwater for watering, less money on water bills.
Start Saving on Water Bills
New garden, lots of planting to water, and you're watching the water meter spin like a fruit machine every time you fill the watering can. Water butts are brilliant - free rainwater for the garden, and Devon gets plenty of rain to fill them.
I'll install it properly - positioned on a solid base, connected to the downpipe with a proper diverter, tap fitted low down for easy filling. First decent rainfall and you've got 200 litres of free water for the garden.
💡 Pro tip: A full water butt is seriously heavy (200kg for a 200-litre butt). Get it positioned right first time on a solid base, because you're not moving it once it's full.
Why Professional Installation Matters
| ✅ Installed Right | ❌ DIY Disaster |
|---|---|
| Connected properly, no leaks | Downpipe hacked about, leaking everywhere |
| Stable base, won't topple | Falls over when full, floods patio |
| Tap positioned for easy use | Can't get watering can under tap |
| Lasts for years | Needs redoing after first winter |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Base prep | Ground levelled, base positioned (slabs/gravel) |
| Butt positioning | Water butt placed on base near downpipe |
| Downpipe connection | Diverter fitted to send water into butt |
| Tap fitting | Tap fitted at bottom for easy filling |
📦 You're Left With
- Water butt ready to collect rainwater
- Connected to downpipe properly
- Stable and won't topple
- Free water for garden watering
Pricing Guide
| Setup | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Single butt installation | 1 hr | £60 |
| Multiple butts linked | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Complex base prep needed | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Base materials (slabs/gravel) additional if needed.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ New garden - lots of watering needed
✅ Eco-conscious - reduce mains water use
✅ Big water bills - garden watering costs adding up
✅ Vegetable growing - rainwater better for plants anyway
Why Choose Us for Water butt setup in Exeter?
Connected to downpipe properly
Positioned on stable base
Tap fitted at bottom for easy use
Saves water and money
What to Expect
Step 1: Base Preparation
Check the ground is level where you want the butt. If not, I'll level it with paving slabs or compacted gravel so it's stable.
Step 2: Positioning & Connection
Water butt positioned on base. Downpipe cut at correct height and diverter fitted to channel rainwater into the butt.
Step 3: Tap Fitting
Tap fitted near the bottom (high enough to get a watering can under). Quick test and it's ready for rain.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to install it yourself? Here's the approach:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Hacksaw for cutting downpipe
- Drill and hole saw for tap fitting
- Spirit level for base
- Paving slabs or bricks for base
- Silicone sealant for watertight connections
📐 Installation steps
- Choose location near downpipe on firm ground
- Level base with slabs (essential)
- Position water butt on base
- Cut downpipe at height of butt opening
- Fit diverter kit following instructions
- Drill hole near bottom and fit tap
- Seal all connections
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- No base (butt sinks into soft ground when full)
- Tap too low (can't fit can underneath)
- Downpipe connections leak (need proper sealing)
- Butt on wonky ground (topples when full)
💡 Pro trick: Position the tap about 10cm from the bottom, not right at the bottom. Gives you room to get a watering can underneath and reduces the chance of blocking if sediment settles at the base.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🌧️ Devon weather? We get loads of rain. A standard water butt fills up quickly in winter, giving you free water to use through drier summer months. Even a small roof area collects surprising amounts.
Multiple butts? If you've got a big garden to water, linking 2-3 butts together gives you 400-600 litres of storage. First one fills, overflow goes to the next.
Winter care - Leave the tap slightly open in hard frost so expanding ice doesn't crack the butt. Or fit an overflow so it can't fill completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to provide the water butt or can you supply it?
Either way works. If you've already got one, I'll install it. If not, I can advise on size (depends on your roof area and how much watering you do) and get one for you. Standard 200-litre butts are most popular for average gardens.
How do you connect it to the downpipe?
I cut the downpipe at the right height and fit a diverter that sends rainwater into the butt. When the butt's full, excess water continues down the pipe as normal. Clean job, no leaks.
What if the ground isn't level where I want it?
Water butts need a stable, level base or they'll topple when full (they're heavy - 200 litres is 200kg). I can level the area with paving slabs or gravel, or advise on a better spot if the ground's really wonky.
Can you connect multiple water butts together?
Yes, you can link them with a connecting kit so when one fills it overflows into the next. Good if you've got lots of garden to water. Takes a bit longer to set up but gives you loads of storage.
How long before I can use the collected water?
Immediately after first rain. The butt fills up when it rains, and you can use it straight away for watering. Just remember it's not drinking water - it's for plants only.
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