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Water butt falls over even when full

clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
in Problem solving
I only have room for one water butt in one place at the side of the house and somehow, the strong wind creates a tunnel effect and always knocks the water butt over, even if it is completely full. It is very awkward to get to the fallen water butt and I usually have to let the water out in order to put it back upright. Consequently, I was unable to right it and it has lain horizontal since winter. I have looked for help online can't seem to find any answers.

Does anyone here have any suggestions please? I was thinking of some kind of cage or bricks to create a low box around it maybe but not sure this would work. 

It is a bog-standard water-butt by the way. Thankyou.
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Posts

  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    I knew that was coming!  :D
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
     :) Originally yes, 4 flimsy plastic 'quarters' which I think buckled when the wind blew (!)  :D  ...anyway, I then placed it on something else which is a bit higher than the surroundings. Perhaps the ground is uneven... 
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    edited June 2023
    Oh yes, that jogged my memory, thankyou, it was a Strata - probably slimline or a small rectangular one. Not sure of the litre age literage.
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    Fairly sure it must be the 100 litre model. 
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    I wonder if you could put hooks into the wall and wire the butt in. Or tie it to a drain pipe.
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Not any old glue, but one that will work with both surfaces to be stuck.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd attach it to the wall. Vine eyes, or similar, and an old belt or similar, so that you can undo it easily. Old washing line works too - I use that for my growhouse, but more effort if it needs to be undone. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    edited June 2023
    That is what I have done with one of our unsteady water butts. I used a length of old hosepipe as a retainer. Works fine. To remove is easy, I just unscrew the screws which fasten it  to the wall.
  • clematisdorsetclematisdorset Posts: 1,348
    Thankyou for everyone's really helpful ideas here!  :) I forgot to mention that in all probability, the ground is so uneven that fixing the base probably will not make much difference, so I will concentrate on securing the water butt via the wall, like a belt around it ( as I think was being suggested). There is a dead hedge to one side of it and other clutter on the other which I can move in order to access it. Once it is fixed, I can see no reason why I would need to move it regularly, but I will do it in such a way that it isn't a 'permanent fixture'.

    Thank you for all your help and for giving me a chuckle...
    Sorry to witness the demise of the forum. 😥😥😥😡😡😡I am Spartacus 
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