[Caretaker]

In the cold cold winter what do you do about your water butt's to stop them from freezing, my one large 45gallons has a pipe running in to the greenhouse?
Reg

[Growster...]

Nothing actually Caretaker. The pipe may freeze though, if water collects in it.

All our's froze for ages last year, and there were no splits or problems.

[arugula]

You can float something like a plastic bottle or air-filled ball like a tennis ball in it. This helps to take the impact from ice forming.

[sunshineband]

Nothing actually Caretaker. The pipe may freeze though, if water collects in it.

All our's froze for ages last year, and there were no splits or problems.

All ours were OK too 

[8doubles]

The water butt can normally stand up to freezing weather but the cheapo plastic  taps that are often fitted do split apart after one good freeze. Drain the butt and turn it upside down is best if you can.

[shoozie]

Ours survived being completely frozen for weeks but we broke the tap - not the frost, but the butt fell over

[Caretaker]

I have been talking to a gardening friend and he told me he waits till there is a layer of ice on top then drains off some water, this leaves a gap for expanshion.
Oh what the hell, it's only a water butt.

[Growster...]

I have been talking to a gardening friend and he told me he waits till there is a layer of ice on top then drains off some water, this leaves a gap for expanshion.
Oh what the hell, it's only a water butt.

Just think Caret, in the old days, they'd have been round your plot, collecting all that ice for the village ice house!

I'm still wondering how they managed to keep it frozen through the year, but apparently, they did! And we think we know all about insulation...;0)