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Connector for wooden barrel water butt

marshamoo86marshamoo86 Posts: 1
in Problem solving
We've bought an old whisky barrel to use as a water butt, however, the standard water butt diverter kit we've bought doesn't fit because the threaded end of the connector isn't long enough to get through the thickness of the barrel wall. Does anyone know what connector I would need please? We'd like water to be able to flow both ways, I.e. back into the drain pipe when the barrel is full.

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    edited December 2023
    Would the threaded connector screw into the wood of the barrel?
    If it's a reasonably tight fit it should be long enough and water-tight enough by itself without the need for the threaded washer on the inside of the barrel.
    It doesn't have to deal with any water pressure and water-tightness is only relevant when the butt is full.
    Just ensure you get the levels right so that when the butt is full any more rainwater runs down the drain.
    If you're not sure there's bound to be lots of youtube clips.
    And welcome to the forum :)

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Would the connector fit onto a short length of hose pipe that could go through a hole into the barrel? Or a short piece of rigid plastic pipe if you can find something the right diameter?
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • McRazzMcRazz Posts: 440
    edited December 2023
    Standard diverter kits will work, just make sure you drill into the centre of one of the larger staves. You'll also have to drop the strapping at the top remove the 'lid'...and whack a hessian wrapped plug into the hole in the side (if it has one, some dont). 

    I bought two large whisky barrels for use as water butt's but aborted the idea after the advice from a barrel dealer (yep) was to leave them 50% full all the time or the staves can shrink at the top in the sun and cause leakage. I might turn them into seats instead. 
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