Water butt advice
Magical Meerkat
Posts: 301
Hello,
I'm hoping someone can help me. We are renting our house which has two large gardens but no outside tap! Last summer I had to ferry lots water to and fro, because our soil is basically sand (old heathland).
So I thought I could install a water butt in the back garden. Now because we are renting we would obviously have to ask the landlords permission and leave it here when we eventually leave. Does anyone else use one that they don't connect to a downpipe? I am wondering if you could use a giant funnel with a mesh in to stop leaves etc getting in? would these be affective or a waste of time. (thinking I can take it with us if we move)
Any help would be much appreciated, I want to capture some of this persistant rain, so I can use it later in the year 
MM
Posts
MM
I don't really think you would collect much water with a big funnel have you thought of using grey water from say your washing machine connected to a extension pipe and into your water butt? or a bucket by the back door and fill that with grey water and fill your watter butt located out in your garden (as a half way house) this is just a thought even mashing machine pipe out the kitchen window into a water but.
Have you asked the owner of the house to put a outside tape in for you??
It's only going to improve the look of your house with more flower, plants
clueless
speaking as a landlord, I'd have no objection to our tenant correctly installing a water butt to a downpipe, providing it was left when they leave. I'd approach your landlord, or agent with a politely worded letter / email / phone call to let them know you're asking as you're keen to keep the garden ( their garden ) as nice as you can.
Hi Clueless,
Unfortunately the washing machine is wedged under the worktop and there is no room for a pipe either on top or alongside, good idea though. In the summer I was collecting water waiting for the hot tap to run hot and putting it straight outside, so I could do that all year and pop into the waterbut to store. What about water after I have washed up? can you put that in? I guess you'd have to strain the bits out?
One of the problems I have is I have 4 blueberries in pots and our water is alkaline so I am wondering if I left the grey water in the butt whether it would somehow neutralise?
I haven't asked him about an outside tap, I didn't even think about it ;( not sure if he would though, he's not keen on doing work unless it's an emergency!
Hi Hostafan1,
Thank you, I will talk to the agent as see what they say. We have already done a lot of work on the garden (it looked like a fly tipping area) and they do seem pleased. Hopefully they will agree as it won't cost them anything.
even so MM to replace the down pipe after would only cost £10-20
Yes you can use your washing up water
I think it's time for a quick phone call to the agents
Thank you I will collect the washing water will it be ok for blueberries, if I mix it with the rainwater?
I agree with clueless; it won't cost much to replace the downpipe when you leave (as long as you don't live in a 3 storey house), then you could take the water butt with you. Check the price of downpipe first though, there are some fancy ones that may be pricey.
you still need the landlord's permission before carrying out any work, even if you intend to put it back to the original condition before you leave. To install a cut off point to install a downpipe on someone else's property ( even with the best of intentions) is , technically " causing actual criminal damage". Speak to your landlord, or his /her /their agent. Don't get yourself into bother.
Make sure the butt has a close-fitting lid. Then the water will remain clear.