Oh dear ....

[Newbie]

The new growing season has not even started yet and already it is proving that it is going to be an expensive one! Not only has one of the big roof panels in my greenhouse shattered in the cold (it is supposed to be toughened safety glass), but BOTH of my "frost resistant" waterbutts have split too!

[Florence Fennel]

Oh dear no! So sorry to hear this. Can you complain to the manufacturer, or claim on insurance? Hope you get it sorted.

[Newbie]

.... and that's not to mention that the wonderful Brassica cage that my OH made me in the summer has completely collapsed under the weight of the snow too!

[Newbie]

I have sent off an email to the manufacturer of the waterbutts (Sankey) so hoping to get a decent response from them. Just feeling a bit Harumph!

[Bren In Pots]

Sorry to read about your bad luck, I've not checked my water-butts for a few days so i hope mine are OK.

[Newbie]

I know, but £50 for 2 "frost resistant" water butts - can't really afford to replace them so they better do something. And with the excess on the house insurance it won't be worth claiming for them. And then there is the cost of the replacement glazing panel for the greenhouse.

[Two_Sheds]

I know, but £50 for 2 "frost resistant" water butts

That's not very good.
I went up lotty y'day and my neighbour had turned out a water butt sized lump of ice so I think his split too

[Newbie]

And the free old plastic dustbin that i use as the overflow butt from the 2 bought ones .... perfectly fine!

Hmm, if they don't do replacements for me i think i will stick to cheapo dustbins!

[Snadger]

Our local council used to supply our allotments with good quality water butts (second hand chemical barrels methinks). I've never had one split, and I've got over a dozen, all at £2.50 each!
If its any consolation about half the glass in my grenhouse has shattered with the cold and weight of snow and even one of the wooden roof trusses (3 X 2 timber has broken.)
I've just been lookng today to replace all six 8 foot long roof timbers at a fiver a shot and position the new ones to take advantage of whatever pieces of glass I can scrounge!

Isn't gardening jolly!

[Newbie]

Just as an update to this thread, on Saturday i recieved 2 brand new water butts delivered to my door completely free of charge. Just goes to show that polite complaining sometimes does pay off.

[Dottie]

Just as an update to this thread, on Saturday i recieved 2 brand new water butts delivered to my door completely free of charge. Just goes to show that polite complaining sometimes does pay off.

That is good news, and it's good to hear positive feedback. As it would be easy to argue that the butts are frost free, not frozen free.

Just out of interest, was the cheap black bin not totally full when it froze? Because it might not be to do with the plastic, but if butts are full and freeze, then they burst due to expansion. If so, then near the end of the year, it might be worth making sure they are only half full or empty if your really worried it will happen again.

In your thank you to Water Butt folk, you could ask what is the best thing to do in future freezing winters.

Great way to start your weekend, 2 new water butts.

[Newbie]

The cheap black bin was totally full and has since broken, the bottom completely split off. However it had no lid on so i would have thought it had plenty of room for expansion.

[lottie dolly]

we have a few dozen of the blue ex chemical buts with lids on,all piped up from the main shed roofs,whilst they did freeze up,not 0ne appears to be split,and they in the open lottie,must have been very lucky,