Rain Water Collectors - Advice/experiences?

Mike2010

I'm thinking about getting a rain water collector - the type that stands next to the down pipe and collects water in a large drum.
Any gotcha's or anything to watch out for?
Do they make a lot of noise as the water falls into them?
If you attach a garden hose would there be enough pressure to water the grass or plants in the summer?
Where would be a good place to buy one?
Are they easy to install?
Is there any problem in leaving the water in them for long periods of time, or, is stagnated water bad for plants?
Are they likely to freeze in the type of weather we've recently experienced?

Alun

Mike2010 wrote: »

I'm thinking about getting a rain water collector - the type that stands next to the down pipe and collects water in a large drum.
Any gotcha's or anything to watch out for?

Not really. The only thing with mine is that the place where the diverter cuts into the downpipe has to be at a certain level wrt the inlet on the top of the tank so that the overflow mechanism works correctly. I did this correctly, but hadn't taken into account the fact that the thing is pretty heavy when full, and the ground around the base has settled (paving slabs on soil) and now the overflow doesn't work as it should. When I get time I'll have to empty it and raise the level a little. If you're putting it on a proper solid base like concrete it shouldn't be a problem.

Do they make a lot of noise as the water falls into them?

I don't know to be honest, mines on the downpipe of my shed/workshop, not the house itself.

If you attach a garden hose would there be enough pressure to water the grass or plants in the summer?

No. The tap is only about 18" above the ground. It's enough to fill a watering can, but that's about it. You'd have to get a pump of some sort to use a hose pipe.

Where would be a good place to buy one?

We got ours from our local recycling centre. It was identical to the one on this page http://www.ecostore.ie/acatalog/Household_Water_Saver_Kit.html .. second from the top.

Are they easy to install?

No problems at all, apart from what I mentioned above about it settling after a while.

Is there any problem in leaving the water in them for long periods of time, or, is stagnated water bad for plants?

It can happen according to the blurb that came with it, but I've not experienced any problems. Mine has a cover so no organic matter such as leaves can get in, which helps.

Are they likely to freeze in the type of weather we've recently experienced?

YEP!

Mike2010

Thanks for all that info. I feel more confident in buying one now.
Lets see if anyone else has anymore positive or negative feedback.
About the freezing ... do you (or anyone else) know of any way to prevent this? Like, is there such a thing as a lagging jacket that could be used for outside containers ?

Alun

I don't know, but mine's working again today after the long freeze. Actually, I suspect it was probably only the tap that was frozen rather than the whole contents of the water butt. In any case, you're hardly likely to be using it in freezing weather anyway.

Mike2010

Well, the reason I'm looking into this is because I've been without water for a few days, due to the freezing weather, and it's made me appreciate just how much I rely on water. :rolleyes:
Having one of these (or even a few of these) down the side of the house would be very usful in the summmer and may be extremely useful for flushing toilets in the winter

Do you have any idea how long it takes to fill say a 100 liter one of these? Would a night of heavy rain do it, or would be take much more or much less?

CJhaughey

I filled a 200l plastic barrel with water and the water only froze for maybe 2" on the top and sides. The middle was still liquid. The barrel was outside for the month during the freezing weather.

Mike2010

Thanks. Good to know.

Kenjd

Hi, I thinking of getting a water butt after the recent water cuts etc.
On the Dublin City Council website it says they are not suited for use with cast iron downpipes, I have 2 of these downpipes. What would be the effect of using a water butt with these? I'll just be using it for watering plants, washing the car, or using it to flush the loo if the water gets cut off in future.
Thanks

Alun

If it's like the one I have, you have to physically cut the downpipe and cut out a small section to insert the diverter into. It's also designed to fit standard PVC downpipe sizes (either round or square), so depending on the size of your downpipe, and I believe cast iron ones tend to be bigger, the diverter may not physically fit. I can't think of any other reason they might not be suitable.

EDIT: on the link I gave above to ecostore.ie there's a link to a PDF brochure which has the contact details for the manufacturer. Might be an idea to give them a call and ask what the problems are.

http://www.ecostore.ie/acatalog/WATERBUTT%20FLYER_032008.pdf

North West

Kenjd wrote: »

Hi, I thinking of getting a water butt after the recent water cuts etc.
On the Dublin City Council website it says they are not suited for use with cast iron downpipes, I have 2 of these downpipes. What would be the effect of using a water butt with these? I'll just be using it for watering plants, washing the car, or using it to flush the loo if the water gets cut off in future.
Thanks

Hi what diameter is your pipe. The main reason behind this is because the diverter piece is not or does not seem to be available. There is one can be got depending on pipe diameter. Is the pipe round square or rectangular ?
NW

McWotever

Any update on this, i'm in the same situation. The cast iron downpipes seem to be 3" or 4" round. Not much info on the net about getting diverters suitable for cast iron.

North West

Hi mcwotover
google amazon and put in rainwater diverter for cast iron, you can buy a 75mm for 49 pounds stg. Check the exact diameter of your cast pipe
NW