Any other winter water butt care tips welcome
2006-11-01 07:37:23 · 11 answers · asked by wetndry 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
yes otherwise the water will freeze and expand and possibly break the butt or split it
2006-11-01 07:40:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have loads of open topped butts (blue barrels) and I don't empty them. The top inch or so freezes in icy weather but this does no harm. It is prudent to cover the tops of butts all year round to prevent leaves and other debris from falling in and rotting in the water. Remember not to use very cold water from the butts on plants in the winter eg houseplants, let it warm up to room temperature first. The best time to clean butts out is in the summer when they are naturally empty.
2006-11-01 16:43:49 · answer #2 · answered by DIANNE M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. as long as the but is not completely full and there is space for the water to freeze is should not be a problem even if it does freeze. Second to freeze a reasonably full water butt would take a very cold climate.
Have you ever tried to freeze a very large amount of water. It takes along time. The outer layers freeze first and then slowly, if it's cold enough, you get a thicker layer of ice building up until the centre finally freezes.
2006-11-01 16:14:32 · answer #3 · answered by Kiz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes also once you have drained it you can give it a thorough clean out. oh remember to drain you garden hose as well, also the tap should be properly protected from frost you don't want it to split open. I have just done mine today as we have had a frost warning.
PS remember those stone pots they will crack if filled with a wet compost, if they are not frost proof.Keep cosy and have a nice winter
2006-11-01 16:00:23 · answer #4 · answered by alex winefly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, why should you. If it is continually filled by rainwater it will never stagnate, it is unlikely to freeze solid in England, if we believe this global warming thing.
However, eventually, it will silt up with dirt. This took more than 40 years for mine to become a problem.
2006-11-03 16:27:24 · answer #5 · answered by antony r 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it shouldn't. There is no point.
We have NEVER emptied the water butt at home, in the 30+ years we have had it.
2006-11-02 03:52:19 · answer #6 · answered by k 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to empty it and let it dry out then you could do give it a coat of paint then it would be ready to use next year
2006-11-05 12:10:40 · answer #7 · answered by magiclady2007 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-11-01 18:39:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if it is full, and it is closed and so there is no where for it to expand, I guess.
2006-11-01 16:07:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes as it will stagnate water
2006-11-01 15:42:12 · answer #10 · answered by richard g 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋