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Dogbowl

DogbowlDogbowl Posts: 88
in Problem solving
We have an oak barrel which we have used as a water butt for the last couple of years.

But this years Long Hot Summer caused the panels to divide by so much one can actually see day light between the joints and the rain fall since does Nothing but flow from the gaps so obviously the water does Not close the joints enabling the barrel to be used for its purpose.

Any ideas ??? Other than put it on next months Bonfire

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2018
    I imagine the barrel was empty during the drought  :'(  It would've been better to fill it from the tap and just keep it full.  However, we are where we are ... you need to fill it with really hot water in order to get the staves to swell ...  see here ... 

    https://discussions.probrewer.com/showthread.php?34339-Re-hydrating-dry-barrels

    Hope that helps  :)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    Even if the barrel cannot be used again as a water butt why not cut in half and use as two planters.It would be a sacrilege to put it on a bonfire!! 
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • DogbowlDogbowl Posts: 88
    Thanks for your thoughts I did jest a wee bit about the Bonfire But the trouble with the barrel is the size stops me moving it and dunking in a local canal or even neighbors fish pond over night.
    My only source of Hot water would be via Russell Hobbs in the kitchen and I don't really think that would suitable for obvious reasons

    Yes in hindsight I should have kept the barrel full of water all summer but No one expected the summer we had and I am sure others were caught out in similar ways 

    Hopefully a winter out in all the elements will close the gaps enough for me to replace it and give it another try in the spring

    In the meantime I Have found the perfect use for the Wheelie Bin that our council stopped emptying a few months back and lifting the lid makes filling the watering can rather simple.   
  • ju1i3ju1i3 Posts: 189
    You could put a liner in yours. Mine is in a pretty poor state but I put a liner in it when I first got it so it happily still holds water and water lilies are growing in it.


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