Harcostar Universal Rain Trap

Having just fitted water butts to our drainpipes, I was worried at how difficult it was to manoeuvre a trap that was some 8cm tall into a gap of 3cm cut from the pipe! It is fine if the lower pipe is detachable, or can be slid down into the ground like one of ours, but they are often cemented into the ground and inserting the trap cannot be done without flexing both upper and lower pipes to the side.Plus, on the common alternative there is no way of unblocking it apart from removing it, and judging by what is coming down off our roof in heavy rain, I can see unblocking being a regular chore.The Harcostar trap is well designed in every respect. It fits a whole range of round and square pipes, from 63--100mm round, as well as 63/65mm square. Our standard 68mm pipe required only a thin pre-scored strip to be removed from the upper section, which then slides onto the upper pipe. The lower section is slim and easily slid into place. There is even an adhesive guide to fit to the pipe for sawing a section out. The upper section then becomes a lid, removable if you need to unblock the trap later. It is a push fit.The supplied overflow pipe seemed a better quality than the rival one it replaced, and the whole thing looked neater. One thing to check, though, is that you have clearance between pipe and wall to fit this. A standard round plastic pipe needs just 3cm of clearance, or 6.5cm from centre of pipe to wall. Standard brackets will supply this much clearance.Oh, and go to your local DIY store and pick up a couple of brackets to fit above and below this. They slide on and screw into the wall, so make sure you have plugs and screws too. Although not absolutely necessary, you have created a weakness in the pipe by sawing through it, so securing it is a good idea, recommended in the instructions, too.So, a first class product, fitted in no time, with little stress. Would that the original traps had been so simple to fit. This is well worth the extra price.

These work well if installed correctly. A bit fiddly to cut the downpipe - ideally, you need the correct sort of saw, with small teeth, especially if cutting the pipe in situ, ie vertically. Luckily, I have an (old) Japanese cross-cut saw, which proved ideal. Also probably best, if possible, to remove the downpipe from the wall after marking it and then cutting it on a bench. If the water level is marked accurately, water will (more or less) cease to flow into the barrel at the optimum height, ie when full. I found I needed to install an additional downpipe bracket (above or below the trap) to keep the downpipe rigid. Warming the ends of the flexible pipe (but not too much!) made it easier to fit the pipe onto the spigots.

This is the third connector that I've tried, and is the only one that actually fitted and worked properly. Its a snug fit and the cut-outs will fit the two main sizes of square pipes, and the standard round pipes. The only thing to be aware of that wasn't made clear in the instructions, is that it needs to be positioned "BELOW" the level of the butt. Otherwise the butt will simply overfill!

I watched the video to see how to put this on and it was easy enough. Does the job and it’s sturdy. Bit pricey for what it is but looks tidier than some others on the market

This is easy to fit and doesn't twist off the vertical, unlike the more common fitting typically sold with water butt packages. It sits well between the upper and lower pipes. I would recommend.

Good bit of kit. The instructions are a bit slap dash but get on a well known video sharing site and there's plenty of how-to videos with enough demonstration to get by if you can put up with the Essex builder accents! (Thanks guys, you know who you are) I would have given an extra star or two if the product was actually new which it clearly was not. It had been opened and was missing the rubber "O-ring" for the internal seal but luckily I managed to cut a perfect hole in the butt to ensure a snug fit.Good product, questionable ethics of the seller. Pukka. Nuff sed. (Essex builders will get that)

Absolutely no complaints. Collects a great deal of water and it's easy to fit. In average rain conditions it seems to collect all the water that comes down the pipe. Moderate flows of rain run down the inside of the pipe, and go straight into the water butt. Only in heavy rain, when water falls freely down the pipe, will some water be lost as it passes the trap through the centre hole. A little vaseline or washing up liquid makes it easier to twist the connecting pipe into position, as this will only turn freely in one direction. Final bonus, it looks very smart.

Simple to install and sturdy