INSTRUCTIONS - 3 Tier 200 litre water butt by Rainwater Terrace

PLEASE READ THESE BEFORE YOU START

1. How your water butt by Rainwater Terrace® works

When it rains the optional Rainwater Diverter (1) collects water from the downpipe and starts to fill the top container (2) through the inlet tube (3). The level of water is visible in the Drain-tube (4) and when it is full the water will overflow down the central tube (5) and onto a Planter Tray (6) where it can be used by the Planters (7). When that Planter Tray is full it overflows into the next container (8) and when that is full water overflows onto the next Planter Tray (9).Eventually the bottom container (10) is filled and any excess is collected by the plinth (11) and returned back to the drain through the Outlet Tube (12). Every time it rains sufficiently water flows through the whole system so minimising stagnant water. Water can be drained from each container independently through its own Drain-tube. These each have a built-in tap that allows very rapid filling of watering cans or buckets. The top and side planters are provided with special Capillary mats that draw up water from the planter trays 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 220 kg  Check your intended site with a spirit level in both directions. Most paving has a slight slope to encourage surface water to run away from your house.

The plinth should contact the ground all round its 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 a 60x60cm paving slab so that it can be set level. Any cement used to fix and level it 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.

If 2 or more Terraces are to be connected together they must all be on the same level. If your site does not permit this they must each be connected to the downpipe independently.

3. Assembly

1. Lay the Plinth on its back as shown, assemble the Outlet Tube (12)  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 a bung 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 bung rotating from the outside

4. Take one of the Drain-tubes and, making sure the tap is closed, hook it onto its holster. Insert the other end into the hole on the container and fix it in place using a Retainer Ring as described above.
5. Assemble the first planter tray – it will only fit one way round,. Place the second container on top and fit the second bung and Drain-tube as before.
6. Assemble the second Planter Tray and position the last container on top to check which side the Drain-tube fits. It will be easier to take it off again to fit the Drain-tube. Also fit the Inlet tube on the other side nearest your Downpipe then lift into place.
7. Make sure the wall bracket fits through the slot at the back. If necessary reposition the plinth so that all the modules fit together properly at the same time.
8. At this point you can check that the Bungs and tubes are properly sealed by removing the top 2 modules and pouring a bucket of water into the bottom container.  Repeat for the other 2 containers and finally fit the top planter tray.

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 containers.

See the separate instructions for fitting your Diverter to the Downpipe

 

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 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 down-pipe.

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.

Add some compost to hold it in place and then plant your plants, filling in with compost as you go.

Fit your creation into the mounting slots in the planter trays on your Rainwater Terrace ® making sure the  tongue dips into the water.

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

The planter trays are replenished only when it rains so check the level of water regularly.

The Top Planter uses the 4 small mats that are fed through the slots from the top.

Note that the top planter tray may not be replenished  when it rains so you will have to water this manually.

7. Connecting 2 Or More Terraces Together.

To join 2 towers together you will need the connector kit that comprises  2 connector tubes and 1 blanking cap.

Fit the connector tubes using the Retainer rings from the Rainwater Terrace® kits.

You only need one drain-tube for each level.