Outside tap (for hosepipe) question - using a water butt

swebb

Our water pressure is terrible (we live in a old house). I got Severn Trent to check the pressure at the top of the drive and it was fine there; problem likely to be the old pipes going to the house.

I have an outside tap for the hose, but it's pretty dire. As soon as the washing machine goes on I get e dribble. I spoke to a plummer and he suggested getting a water butt or two and water butt pump and that should do the trick.

Sounds like a good idea, but will the water drain too quickly? I was thinking off getting 2x 200 litre butts. I want to be able to wash the car and hose the garden without having to refill the butts!

adaze

Seems like a viable solution to me given the circumstances. I would imagine 200 litres would be fine for a car (can't remember the last time I washed mine) and would certainly be enough for a reasonable sized garden.

phill99

If you live in an old house and there is an obvious pressure drop from the roadside to the house, then chances are that the old pipes have corroded / ruptured under the drive and the watre is leaking everywhere. You might want to get this investigated. Also, if you have one of those DIY external tap kits, then there will be a pressure drop as these literally pierce a very small hole into the copper pipe and the pressure is non existant. I think the Butt thing shpould be a last resort and the lack of pressure needs further investigating.

REV_1.5

What i would do is use my washer connection.
You know the pipe from the washer to the water inlet(the blue flexi one).
On your water tap there should be an on/off.Turn off the water and use a connection bought from Hozelock.
The small bit goes on where your flexi hose goes, and the big bit on your hose.
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/5b50CHAKzUfz91GSB1B0TviABvWe-bqYmws4v4xQp5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg

OR.
water the garden when the washer is off.


Derek.