PLEASE READ THESE BEFORE YOU START
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
There are 3 basic types of rainwater drain-away
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.
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.
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.