The right water butt has been bought, the ideal location has been found. Now the construction only has to be connected to the gutter. But how does it actually work? On this page you will find helpful instructions with which the connection can also be made by hobby do-it-yourselfers. Get to know the different methods.
A rain barrel on a gutter collects a lot of water
Various connection variants
If you would like to connect your water butt to the gutter, you have two options to choose from:
- Attach the rain collector directly to the downpipe
- or a rain collector with a detachable pipe
The direct connection
Direct connection is the simplest method of connection. The only difficulty is that the downpipe has to be drilled out to do this. But don't worry, even if you dare to do this for the first time, the drilling will be child's play with these instructions.
- Hold the downspout filter (available at hardware stores) against the downspout.
- Choose a spot slightly above the top of the water butt.
- Mark them with an Edding.
- Now drill a hole at the marked location.
- Install the downpipe filter.
- Now the rainwater is directed from the gutter into your rain barrel.
The rain collector with clip-on tube
This method allows you to set up the water butt at some distance from the gutter. A hose connection is used for this. However, you need a rain collector clip-on pipe.
- Again, cut an appropriately sized hole in the downspout.
- Insert the connection pipe into the hole.
- Connect the rain barrel to the downpipe of the gutter with a hose.
- Attach the hose at least 10 cm below the top edge. This is for overflow protection.
- Downpipe and water butt (53.99€) connection must be at the same height. Otherwise the water will flow back.
Mount sieve
You should also install a screen in the gutter at the opening to the downspout. This prevents leaves and coarse dirt particles such as bird droppings from getting into the rain barrel.