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Collecting gutter rainwater problem

Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
in Problem solving
Don't believe I'm the only one with this problem....

I'd like to divert gutter drainpipe rainwater into a water butt. I've seen the normal connectors, where (I presume) you slide (thread the pipe) the connector from the bottom of drainpipe to the height required for the water butt, then you drill a hole in the drainpipe to connect a pipe that feeds the water butt?

Our drainpipe goes straight into the ground so I can't slide a connector. I've searched the internet looking for a sort of 'clamp' connector but so far without a result. I'm not even sure if my terminology is correct to feed into a search box.

Obviously I want to do as little damage to the drainpipe as possible. Wondering if anyone else has had this problem and how did you manage to find a solution?


Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
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Posts

  • Loraine3Loraine3 Posts: 579
    Not quite sure on terminology! We bought water butt which came with all connections and instructions. After setting up the butt you have to measure down pipe to get the flow right and cut through down pipe to fix the pipe to feed the butt. Hope this helps. If you find a water butt the instructions should be inside so you can have a read.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    As Lorraine says,    I don’t know any other way but cutting the drainpipe.  Instructions will be in the pipe kit. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Have a look on Youtube. There's always loads of videos on there for DIY water butt installs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jk0lstsu5o
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    We had a down pipe which went straight onto the patio! I took the bottom of it out and screwed the water collector onto it, and put a small dowel through too, if that's any help? 
  • Jenny_AsterJenny_Aster Posts: 945
    Thank you @Loraine3, @Lyn, @wild edges and @Slow-worm, it looks like the pipe will need to be cut. I was just a bit daunted doing that, but I can see it's the only way to go. The YouTube was a great help!  B)
    Trying to be the person my dog thinks I am! 

    Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border.
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    A small hacksaw will do it like a knife through butter. You can even cut pipe with a bread knife.👍
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Slow-worm said:
    A small hacksaw will do it like a knife through butter. You can even cut pipe with a bread knife.👍
    Cutting it level and straight is the real trick.

    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • Slow-wormSlow-worm Posts: 1,630
    It's easy enough, just pencil mark it. There's a little bit of wiggle room if it's going astray. 😄
  • SueAtooSueAtoo Posts: 380
    I have the same problem with the drainpipe going directly into the ground. Someone suggested there may be some play at the top where it meets the gutter.
    East Dorset, new (to me) rather neglected garden.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    It may probably just be me, but it looks like an awfully big drainpipe in the photo?
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
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