[Etherelda]

I have a barrel that has been a water butt in a previous life. It has a hole for the tap, and i've bought a tap from wilkos, but it is too big, the hole is to small. I don't have a metal file, so the next option is to see if I can hammer a cork in the hole. Another plan is that the plumbing section of wilkos has a tap for washing machines that looks like it might fit.

Also, it is rusting at a rapid rate- there are huge chunks of rust flaking off inside it. Do you think this will contaminate the water?







??

[celjaci]

Don't want to dampen your enthusiasm but the rust looks like it would soon perforate the barrel - not worth spending much on it, Id look around for a plastic one

[backyardbodger]

Cut it in half lengthways and turn it into a barbecue.

[Paul Plots]

Painting the inside with bitumen would be costly so... . I agree look for a plastic alternative.

Or.... this might work...

If you can get hold of a very large plastic bag / sack you could use this to line the drum... maybe. Just a thought. 

[RichardA]

I cant see how you can paint inside a barrel without being very exposed to fumes. Not worth the risk. Would be unlikely to suceed anyway unless rust all off and taken back to bare metal.
R

[8doubles]

If you whittle a piece of broom handle and bang it in it will do till you get a replacement.

Kev

[Trillium]

My mum used a rusted barrel like yours for years just for watering her plants and it was just fine. But, it eventually sprung small holes and leaked too much. Inevitable with metal. I'm sticking with the poly barrels for durability and they're easily spray painted a nicer colour over the screaming blue they come in.

[Roll Roll]

Measure the hole for me, I might have a barrel tap at work that might do it. If if fits i'll post it you.

[shaun]

get a brass tank connector no more than a fiver from a plumbing shop.

[Paul Plots]

Surely someone nearby might be up-dating their bathroom..... would an old bath do as an alternative?

[philskin]

naughty i know but a chap we know reported his wheelie bin had gone missing so the council dropped him of another one ,he promptly fitted it with a tap and put it under his downpipe to catch water via a diverter  this idea although cheeky is sound ,might try it myself before you lot cause a rush ha ha

[Paul Plots]

naughty i know but a chap we know reported his wheelie bin had gone missing so the council dropped him of another one ,he promptly fitted it with a tap and put it under his downpipe to catch water via a diverter  this idea although cheeky is sound ,might try it myself before you lot cause a rush ha ha

If everyone does the same the local rates will be going up yet again to pay for replacements I expect 

[philskin]

I agree ,but out here we have one street light and our bins emptied once a fortnight so its time we had something back

[Paul Plots]

I agree ,but out here we have one street light and our bins emptied once a fortnight so its time we had something back

There's a thought! 

But, knowing my luck, I'd be the one in a million to be caught then be in the local newspaper and lose my job... so definitely not going to risk the temptation!! 

[Yabba]

The council have loads of bust ones ( usually the wheels go t*ts up first ), worth asking ... that way you could avoid the headlines, keep your job and still have a cheap water butt


¥