The Ultimate Guide for Water Butt Diverters: The Efficiency of Your Rainwater Harvesting

Water conservation is an integral part of becoming environmentally friendly, and one of the most efficient ways of achieving this is by rainwater harvesting systems. The termination of water butt diverters in downpipes to storage tanks is important to harvest the maximum from nature's resource. Whether you are a beginner in rainwater harvesting or one who wants to fork out additional efficiency from the current system, this guide shall tell you everything there is to know about water butt diverters, hoses, and accessories on maximization and utilization.

What Is a Water Butt Diverter?

A water butt diverter is a device that is mounted on a downpipe that diverts rainwater entering a water butt (tank) for later usage. This simple and functional mechanism assures that collected rainwater is at hand for gardening chores, cleaning, or any other use where drinking is not needed. Thus, consuming lesser mains water. The diverter prevents overflow when the water butt is full, allowing the excess to drain. 

Understanding Diverter Hoses

Most diverters and Freeflush filters come with a 30 to 50 cm hose that connects the filter/diverter to the water butt, which is generally sufficient. In some cases, such a distance may not be sufficient due to the distance of the water butt from the downpipe; extension hoses may be used for this instance. 

Why Extension Hose May Be Necessary?

•         Water butt positioned further from the downpipe

•         A more flexible system is required to contend with limited space

•         To connect several water butts together

Best Practice in Installing an Extension Hose

Proper installation is vital for ensuring the best water flow with no stagnant water or airlocks:

1.       Hose Must Be Level or Slightly Sloped – Any extension pipe should be laid down which could be level or have a very gentle slope towards the tank. This ensures the constant flow of water without any airlocks blocking its movement.

2.       Avoid Sharp Bends – Sharp bends cause blockages resulting in poor efficiency.

3.       Bracing the Hose – Fix the hose along walls with pipe wall clamps so that it remains stable and in proper alignment.

4.       Maintenance Check – Occasional inspection for debris, leaks, etc., will ensure the hose always functions properly.

Connecting Multiple Water Butts

To expand rainwater harvesting even further, some people recommend interconnecting several water butts. Freeflush produces a water butt linking kit intended to join two or more rainwater storage tanks in order to increase the volume of stored water without additional diverters. How-To Connect Water Butts Using a Hose:

1. Place your water butts at the same level for even distribution.

2. Use the appropriate water butt linking kit to connect the tanks firmly.

3. Lay linking hose adequately to avoid blockages.

4. Check the connection regularly for leaks and debris build-up.

Essential Water Butt Diverter Accessories:

1. Pipe Wall Clamps

Pipe wall clamps are used to fix a length of ribbed hose along the wall. This prevents sagging, or other kinds of displacement that may hinder effective water flow.

2. Connectors: Straight, Elbow, and Tee

These provide different options to customize the installation:

• Straight to run hose longer, without changing direction.

• Elbow to easily reroute around corners and other fittings.

• Tee to split hose one into two, for more interesting configurations.

3. Jubilee Clips

These adjustable clamps hold tight the hose onto the fittings, ensuring a leak-proof and secure bond. This is an essential component for sustaining a robust and long-term rainwater-harvesting system.

Choosing Right Size of Hose

In choosing the size of an extension hose, you should bear in mind that the internal diameter must fit your diverter and water butt well. Freeflush hoses are available in the following sizes:

• 3/4" (19mm) – For smaller setups.

• 1" (25mm) – For normal house installations.

• 1 1/4" (32mm) – For larger or commercial applications.

Advantages of an Efficient Water Butt Diverter System

If your water butt diverters and hoses are well installed and kept in good working conditions, these essential systems can have several benefits:

• Lower Water Costs – With rain-fed uses for non-potable applications, dependence on mains water is reduced.

• Ecologically Sustainable Living – Saving water and sustaining the environment.

• Reliable Water Supply – Have a steady reserve of water for gardening, cleaning, or emergency use.

• Prevention of Water Wastage – Proper overflow management ensures that excess water is diverted efficiently.

Final Thoughts

Investing in a high-quality water butt diverter system is a simple yet impactful way to enhance rainwater harvesting efficiency. Whether you need an extension hose, additional connectors, or accessories for a customized setup, Freeflush offers a comprehensive range of solutions tailored to your needs.

In proper installation and maintenance, you will maximize rainwater harvesting advantages to reduce water wastage and enhance sustainability in our planet.

For more information and to explore our full range of products, visit Freeflush today!