Automatic waterer installation in Exeter
Professional automatic waterer installation services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
POA
Typical Duration
Half day - Full day
Location
Exeter, Devon
Automatic waterer installed and plumbed properly - constant fresh water for horses, cattle, sheep, or whatever you're keeping. Reliable supply, correct drainage, less daily lugging of buckets.
Stop Lugging Buckets Twice a Day
Automatic waterers save hours of work - fill a trough in the morning, come back and it's empty again. Stock drink more than you think, especially in summer. A properly installed automatic system means they always have fresh water and you're not a slave to buckets.
💡 Pro tip: Stock drink more from automatic waterers because the water's always fresh - you'll see better condition and milk yield (if you're running dairy) compared to stagnant troughs.
Why Professional Installation Matters
Water and livestock seem simple until you've got frozen pipes in January or a swamp where the trough used to be. Getting it right first time matters.
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| Pipes buried below frost level | Burst pipes every winter |
| Ball valve set for correct flow | Constant overflow or empty trough |
| Overflow drains to soakaway | Permanent mud bath around trough |
| Quality components that last | Cheap plastic cracked after one season |
What You Get
🔧 Full Installation Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Site survey | Best location assessed, water source identified |
| Pipework | Trenches dug, alkathene pipe laid below frost level |
| Fitting installation | Trough/bowl mounted, ball valve plumbed |
| Drainage | Overflow sorted - soakaway or run-off |
| Testing | System tested, flow adjusted, checking for leaks |
📦 What You're Left With
- Reliable constant water supply
- Proper drainage (no mud)
- Frost protection where needed
- All components secure and stock-proof
Typical Installations
| Type | What's Involved | Typical Time |
|---|---|---|
| Stable bowl (tap nearby) | Mount bowl, run short pipe, fit valve | 2-3 hrs |
| Field trough (existing supply) | Bury pipe run, fit trough, sort drainage | Half day |
| New field system (no supply) | Long pipe run, multiple troughs, drainage | Full day+ |
Every site is different - I'll quote properly once I see what you're working with.
Perfect For Your Property If...
✅ Multiple animals - easier than filling individual buckets
✅ Remote fields - long walk with buckets twice a day gets old fast
✅ Peace of mind - stock always have water even when you're away
✅ Better welfare - fresh water available 24/7
Why Choose Us for Automatic waterer installation in Exeter?
Pipework run from supply to trough location
Ball valves fitted and adjusted correctly
Overflow drainage sorted properly
Frost-free options for winter reliability
What to Expect
Step 1: Site Assessment
I'll visit your property, check where water needs to go, find the nearest supply, and work out the best route for pipes. We'll discuss options (frost protection, trough types, drainage) and I'll quote properly.
Step 2: Installation Work
Trenches dug (or you can do this bit yourself to save money), pipe laid with proper fall for drainage, connections made. Trough or bowl mounted securely where stock can reach but won't damage it.
Step 3: Testing & Commissioning
System filled, ball valve adjusted for correct flow, checking for leaks, testing overflow drainage. I'll show you how to maintain it and what to watch for.
🔧 DIY Tips
Got the skills and time? Here's what's involved:
🔧 Tools and materials needed
- Trenching spade or mini-digger
- Alkathene pipe (MDPE - blue for drinking water)
- Compression fittings or weld kit
- Ball valve trough or automatic bowl
- Gravel for drainage
- Pipe cutters and spanners
📐 Planning the run
- Mark route from supply to trough location
- Plan for slight fall towards trough (helps drainage)
- Avoid areas where tractors or stock might damage pipe
- Check for other underground services first!
✂️ Pipe installation
- Dig trench at least 18 inches deep (below frost)
- Lay pipe on sand or fine soil (not rocks)
- Use proper MDPE pipe - it's UV and frost resistant
- Test for leaks before backfilling
- Mark pipe route for future reference
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Using standard plastic pipe instead of alkathene (cracks in frost)
- Not burying deep enough (frozen every winter)
- Ball valve too big (wastes water) or too small (trough empties)
- No overflow drainage (instant mud problem)
- Not securing trough (stock tip it over)
💡 Pro trick: Install a drain valve at the lowest point of your pipe run - makes it easy to drain the system down for winter if needed, or to do repairs without draining the whole supply.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🐄 Multiple fields? Consider running a main supply line with valved branches to each field - easier than separate runs and you can isolate sections for repairs.
Need quotes for materials? I can advise what you need and pick it up from local agricultural merchants, or you can source it yourself. Either way works.
Winter grazing? If fields are only used in summer, a simple above-ground system with drain-down valve might make more sense than frost-free kit.
Maintenance access? Make sure there's a way to get to valves and drains - burying everything completely makes repairs a nightmare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's involved in installing an automatic waterer?
It depends on your setup - could be tapping into an existing field supply and running alkathene pipe to a new trough, or plumbing in a wall-mounted bowl in a stable. Main job is getting water there reliably, fitting the valve system, and making sure overflow drains properly. Some jobs take half a day, complex ones need longer.
Can you install frost-free waterers for winter?
Yes - there are different types. Some have insulated bowls with thermostatically controlled heaters, others use underground reservoirs that stay above freezing. I'll advise what suits your setup and budget when I see what you're working with.
Do you need to dig trenches for the pipes?
Usually yes - alkathene pipe needs to be buried below frost level (about 18 inches minimum in Devon). I can dig trenches, lay pipe, and backfill, or you can dig them yourself to save money and I'll just do the plumbing. Your call.
What if I don't have water supply in the field?
That's a bigger job - you'd need to run a new supply from your main building or drill a borehole. I can advise on options when I see your property, but that level of work usually wants a specialist groundworks contractor involved.
How do you stop them overflowing and making a mud bath?
Proper drainage is essential - either soakaway, gravel sump, or run-off to a ditch. Ball valve adjusted to the right water level helps too. Getting this right first time saves you dealing with a bog every winter.
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