INSTRUCTIONS- 1 Tier 134 Litre water butt by Rainwater Terrace

PLEASE READ THESE BEFORE YOU START

1. How your water butt by Rainwater Terrace® works

How your Rainwater Terrace® works

When it rains the Rainwater Diverter (1) collects water from the downpipe and starts to fill the Top Planter Trays (2), watering plants attached to them. When full it overflows into the containers (3). The level of water is visible in the Drain-tube (4)

When they are full the water will overflow down the central tube (5), into the top of the plinth and back to the drain  through the Outlet Tube(9).

Every time it rains sufficiently water flows through the whole system so minimising stagnant water.

Water can be drained from the containers through the Drain-tube. This has a built-in tap that allows very rapid filling of watering cans or buckets. It can be fitted either side.

The top planters (7) and side planters (8) are provided with special Capillary mats that draw up water from the planter trays (2) and feed your plants from the bottom.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: NEVER BUILD A RAINWATER TERRACE® MORE THAN 3 CONTAINERS HIGH.

 

2. Location And Preparation Of Site

Your Rainwater Terrace® should be positioned close to a downpipe from your roof gutter so that excess water can be fed back into the drain easily. It can be positioned either side of the downpipe. Your Rainwater Diverter should be fitted last so that the correct height of installation is achieved.
When full your Rainwater Terrace® is very heavy so it is very important that it stands on a firm, flat, level surface that can withstand at least 150 kg  Check your intended site with a spirit level in both directions.  (Note that most paving has a slight slope to encourage surface water to run away from your house.)
The plinths should contact the ground all round their base so cobbles and uneven paving are not suitable. Never install directly onto soil or any surface that will sink under pressure.
If in doubt we recommend installing a concrete base or  two 60x60cm paving slabs so that they can be set at exactly the same level. Any cement used to fix and level them should be allowed to set completely before  installing your Rainwater Terrace.

 

Your Rainwater Terrace® is very stable but we do recommend that you use the steel Wall bracket provided for added security. Mark a vertical line on your wall at the centre point of your base and mark out the 2 screw positions as shown. Drill the 6mm holes for the wall plugs and screw the bracket securely in place. (see Page 8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

3. Assembly

1. Lay the Plinth on its back as shown, assemble the Outlet Tube to the spigot on the underside of the Plinth as far as it will go and feed the other end through the hole nearest to your Drainpipe.
2.  Position the Plinth on the flat base about 2cm from the wall. The outlet tube can be cut to length later when you are ready to connect to the Drain.
3. Place the first container on the Plinth (it will only fit one way) and assemble the inlet tube (the one without the tap) on the same side as the Outlet Tube as shown. Turning the Retainer ring in a clockwise direction will pull the sealing ring into place. Make sure you stop the inlet tube rotating from the outside.
4. Assemble the connector tube to the other side of the container using another retainer ring in the same way.
5. Position the second plinth next to the first.
6. Fit the second container on top and connect the other end of the connector tube to it using another retainer ring.

7. Fit the Drain-tube using another retainer ring as before and hook the other end into its holster on the container.

• Fit the blanking cap onto the central cone on the container furthest from the drain as shown

• Fit the planter trays on top.

 

4. Connection To A Rainwater Diverter

For your Rainwater Terrace® to work the outlet from your rainwater diverter must be higher than the top rim of your top container otherwise water cannot overflow down the central tube (5) that feeds the lower container.

See the separate instructions for fitting your Diverter to the Down-pipe

 

Use the smaller diameter pipe to connect to the rainwater inlet panels  that are fitted into the top planter trays.

There are many different Diverter kits you can use, which will depend on your particular drainage requirements.

1. The simplest will divert a large proportion of the rain falling through your Downpipe  into your Rainwater Terrace® including any debris  from your gutter. This will collect mainly in the top container which is easy to clean out.
2. There are Diverters that prevent larger debris such as leaves from blocking the inlet pipe, diverting it down the drainpipe instead.
3. If you have problems with bunged up soak-aways there are Diverters such as the “Gutter Mate” that collect the debris in a filter that must be emptied regularly.

Follow the installation instructions that come with the Diverter kit with regard to cutting into your Downpipe but always bear in mind the instructions above.

 

 

 

5. Connecting The Outlet Pipe To The Drain

There are 3 basic types of rainwater drain-away

1. Into a grate linked to a drain or soak-away. Either fit the rubber grommet supplied as shown below or fit a plastic drain cover and fit the outlet tube into that.
2. Directly into a drain or soak-away. You must use the rubber grommet supplied as shown below.
3. Directly onto your land. You can use a large cable tie to attach the outlet tube to the bottom of the drainpipe

 

To fit directly into your down-pipe

Drill a hole 35mm diameter with a hole saw (not supplied). Position as low as possible on your downpipe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally insert the free end of your overflow tube. You can chop this to length so that about 3cm of pipe is inside the down-pipe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. The Planters

Now for the creative bit! Your Rainwater Terrace® is supplied with side planters and a top planter and pre-cut capillary mats for each that draw up water from the planter trays.

The Side Planters use the large mats. Fold back the flaps either side of the central  tongue  and feed it through the slot in the bottom of your planter then flatten out the mat as shown.

Fit your creation into the mounting slots in the planter trays on your Rainwater Terrace ® making sure the  tongue dips into the water.Add some compost to hold it in place and then plant your plants, filling in with compost as you go.

If the planter tray is still dry you can top it up through any of the vacant mounting slots.

 

 

 

The Top Planter uses the 4 small mats that are fed through the slots from the top. You can use your planters in the greenhouse and pop them on when you are ready to plant out.

 

 

 

 

 

7. Security Kit.

You can fit a padlock through the hole on the top of the wall mount bracket for extra security.

We also provide plastic fixings to make the lid even more secure.