A water butt diverter is a must-have for any environmentally friendly gardener wanting to maximize rainwater. The units enable householders to harvest and store rainwater from their roof to use in the garden, conserving water and cutting your dependency on the mains supply. In this article, we're going to find out how a water butt diverter works, how it will improve your garden, and why a 100 litre water butt is an excellent choice for amateur gardeners.
What Is a Water Butt Diverter?
Water butt diverter is a straightforward system that collects rainwater from your roof downpipe and directs it into a water butt. It takes the water from your gutters and routes it straight into the receptacle, which is usually a barrel or tank, for storage and future usage. The systems can be installed quickly on any ordinary house, and they offer an effective means of collecting rainwater without requiring a complicated plumbing or electrical infrastructure.
Water butt diverters come in a range of sizes and designs, but they all work in the same way by linking to your current guttering system. The diverter is fitted to the downpipe and channels the flow of water into the storage tank. When the water butt is full, the surplus water just keeps on going down the drain, preventing any overflow or harm to your property.
How Does a Water Butt Diverter Work?
The design of a water butt diverter is straightforward but efficient. It typically has three main parts:
Downpipe Connector
This connector is fitted onto your house downpipe and comes with a flexible hose that hooks up to the water butt. It is where the rainwater from the roof is directed into the storage tank.
Control Valve
The control valve is a critical component. It allows the water into the water butt during rain and redirects the surplus when the butt is full. It protects against overflow and offers a steady supply of water into the storage tank.
Overflow Outlet
When the water butt is full, the diverter will drain the water automatically away through the overflow outlet. Your garden will then be protected from spilling or flooding, and there won't be any risk of the water butt tank being damaged from pressure buildup.
The water butt diverter system is a naturally working system, which uses gravity to divert rainwater into the tank. It does not require electricity or pumps, making it an energy-conserving and low-maintenance way of collecting water for your garden.
The Benefits of Using a Water Butt Diverter
Conservation of Water: The biggest benefit of a water butt diverter may be the environmental significance. Rainwater collected from it cuts down on mains water consumption within your garden. This will significantly reduce your bill but also save valuable resources. Rainwater is also beneficial to plants because it will be softer than tap water and contain fewer extra chemicals, such as chlorine.
Economical
One economical way to collect rainwater is by installing a water butt diverter. Using rainwater instead of tap water not only saves money, but it also reduces your carbon footprint because less energy is needed for water supply and treatment.
Handy for Gardeners
It can be really helpful to have a readily available water supply in the garden, especially on hot summer evenings. Without utilizing your hosepipe or the mains water, a water butt may provide your plants with a consistent supply of water, even during dry spells.
Easy to Fit
Water butt diverters are simple to fit and can be installed without professional help. Most diverters come with clear instructions and are simple to fit with minimal tools. You can have a water butt fitted and running within a few hours.
Why Choose a 100 Litre Water Butt?
When choosing a water butt, size matters. A 100 litre water butt is ideal for the typical home garden. It is large enough to capture a good amount of water, but not so large that it takes up too much space in smaller areas. Some of the reasons why a 100-litre water butt is such a great idea include:
Perfect for Small to Medium Gardens
For a small to medium garden, 100-litre water butt provides enough storage to keep plants properly irrigated without taking up all the space. It's efficient and handy for city homes or gardens with very minimal storage.
Ideal for Rainwater Harvesting
A 100-litre water butt can collect a great deal of rainwater, especially during heavy showers. This is more than enough for basic gardening tasks like watering plants, washing tools, or refilling a birdbath. If you are in a region with frequent rainfall, a 100-litre tank will fill up rapidly and be used.
Light and Easy to Handle
A 100-litre water butt is light enough to be lifted or drained by anyone without much effort. This renders it as the best option for those who do not wish for a heavy tank that may prove difficult to manage.
Plenty for Several Watering Rundown
Although it might be smaller than some commercial water butts, a 100-litre water butt is still enough to give several watering sessions in your garden. Assuming you have a combination of pots, small flower beds, and shrubs, the 100-litre will probably be enough for most of the year.
How to Install a Water Butt Diverter?
Fitting a water butt diverter is an easy DIY job. Here's how you can do it:
Choose a Suitable Location
Select a level, flat spot close to your downpipe where the water butt will be placed. Make sure the spot is convenient for easy filling and draining.
Mount the Diverter to the Downpipe
Cut a part of your downpipe to the correct length. Mount the diverter to the cut part and make sure the flow of water is directed towards the water butt.
Join the Diverter to the Water Butt
Use the hose or pipe that comes with the diverter kit to join the downpipe to the water butt. Secure the hose firmly to prevent leaks.
Install the Overflow Outlet
Securely attach the overflow pipe to divert water from spilling over when the water butt is full. The surplus water will be directed back to the drain.
Test the System
Lastly, perform a test by letting water circulate within the system. Verify there are no leaks, ensure the flow is proper, and confirm the overflow is working properly.
Conclusion
A diverter for a water butt is an effortless yet effective way to collect rainwater and green your garden. With the aid of a 100-litre water butt, you can collect enough water to sustain your plants, reduce wastage of water, and cut your bill. Whether you are an experienced gardener or just a beginner, the installation of a water butt diverter is a smart investment for your garden and the environment as well.
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