Bought your first water butt this year? Great. You’ve collected the rain, watered the garden and hopefully saved yourself a few trips back and forth to the outdoor tap.
But now winter is approaching.
Do you empty it? Disconnect it? Leave it full? Wrap it up? Pretend you haven’t seen it until March?
Don’t worry. Getting a water butt ready for winter doesn’t need to become another massive garden job.
The main thing to remember is that every water butt is different. Always check the manufacturer’s care and winter instructions for your particular tank first. Some can remain in use throughout winter, while others may have specific instructions for freezing temperatures.
Once you’ve done that, here’s an easy month-by-month guide to seeing your water butt through its first winter.
October: Give Everything a Quick Check
October is a good time for your first proper water butt check.
You don’t necessarily need to change anything yet. Start by looking at the complete setup.
Check your water butt for any obvious damage or leaks and make sure it is still sitting level and securely on its base. If you’re using a water butt stand, check that too.
A large tank full of rainwater can be extremely heavy, and wet winter ground can soften over time. You don’t want a slightly wonky water butt in October becoming a very wonky water butt by January.
Next, check the tap, hoses and connections for any drips.
Finally, have a look at your rainwater diverter. Autumn leaves have an impressive ability to get absolutely everywhere, so make sure your downpipe, diverter and connections are clear and working properly.
October job: Inspect the tank, base, tap, connections and diverter.
November: Decide What You’re Doing for Winter
By November, the garden is slowing down and you’re probably using much less stored rainwater.
This is a good time to check the manufacturer’s winter instructions for your water butt if you haven’t already.
You might be able to continue collecting rainwater throughout winter. Alternatively, the manufacturer may recommend lowering the water level, draining the tank or disconnecting certain components when freezing weather is expected.
Why does this matter?
Water expands when it freezes. If a water butt is completely full during a prolonged freeze, that expansion can put additional pressure on the tank and its fittings.
And don’t forget about the smaller parts. Water can also sit inside taps, valves, linking hoses and other connectors.
November job: Check the manufacturer’s instructions and know what you’ll need to do when freezing weather arrives.
December: Keep an Eye on the Forecast
You don’t need to inspect your water butt every morning with your cup of tea.
But once freezing temperatures start appearing on the weather forecast, it’s worth giving it some attention.
Check how full the tank is and follow the manufacturer’s cold-weather guidance. If they recommend reducing the water level or draining the tank during freezing conditions, now is the time to do it.
Check the tap and any connecting hoses too. Water can freeze inside taps and accessories as well.
If you’re disconnecting a water butt from a rainwater diverter, make sure your normal rainwater drainage can still work correctly once the tank is disconnected.
That’s it. No complicated winter maintenance routine required.
December job: Watch for freezing weather and follow the manufacturer’s cold-weather instructions.
January: Frozen Water Butt? Don’t Force It
January is often when your water butt faces its biggest winter test.
If the water inside has frozen, avoid trying to force a frozen tap, valve or fitting open. Leave it to thaw naturally before checking it for leaks or damage.
A layer of ice on the surface doesn’t automatically mean your water butt has a problem. The greater concern is a large volume of water freezing and expanding inside a very full tank.
Once things thaw, have another quick look around the tank, tap and connections.
Five minutes now could save you discovering a leak when the tank starts filling again.
January job: Leave frozen fittings alone and check everything once it has naturally thawed.
Your First Winter Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated
Looking after a water butt during winter is mainly about keeping an eye on it.
You don’t automatically need to empty every water butt as soon as summer ends, and you don’t need a long list of weekly maintenance jobs either.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular tank, make sure the water butt remains stable, keep the diverter clear and pay extra attention when freezing temperatures are forecast.
That’s your winter water butt routine sorted.
And while your watering can might be having a well-earned break, your water butt can be getting ready for another year of making the most of all that free rainwater.
At Spudulica, we have water butts, rainwater harvesting accessories, diverter kits, linking options and replacement taps to help make collecting and using rainwater around the garden that little bit easier.
