Leaf Beater

Gutter, eave & “mid” mount (vertical) 

1. Locate the position at which you will be installing your Leaf Beater rain head. Whether this is directly under your gutter or eave or midway down your downpipe, it should be a minimum of 500mm above your tank inlet and tank overflow pipe.
2. For installation on a vertical downpipe directly under your gutter, measure 255mm from the bottom of the existing gutter pop and remove this section of downpipe. For installation under your eaves or midway down your downpipe, remove a 255mm section of pipe at your desired installation point. Ensure all cut edges are clean and smooth.
3. Remove the Clean Shield™ screen by lifting it up and then out.
4. Insert your Leaf Beater by sliding it up over the cut section of pipe and then down into position. The outlet should be slid firmly into the bottom downpipe until it can be pushed no further.
5. Fasten your rain head body to the fascia or wall with two rivets or screws through the back of the body.
6. Reinsert the Clean Shield™ screen into your rain head at approximately 45 degrees until the front rubber channel is nearly over the front lip of the body. If necessary, wet the  rubber seal to help the screen slide into place.
7. Fix the front of the Clean Shield™ screen into place by sliding the rubber channel over the front lip of the body. Reaching towards the back of the screen, push down on the plastic frame so that the rear edge comes to rest on the body of the rain head.
8. If desired, you can paint your rain head to match your downpipes and/or building.

Gutter mount (horizontal)  

1. Locate the position at which you will be installing your Leaf Beater rain head. Whether this is directly under your gutter or eave or midway down your downpipe, it should be a minimum of 500mm above your tank inlet and tank overflow pipe.
2. Remove the Clean Shield™ screen by lifting it up and then out.
3. Swivel the outlet to the horizontal position. Some force may be required.
4. Position your Leaf Beater next to your existing pipework and use it as a template to mark top and bottom cutting lines. Cut. Ensure all cut edges are clean and smooth.
5. Insert your Leaf Beater and use solvent cement to glue the rear outlet into the horizontal pipe. The rear wall of your rain head’s body must sit behind the top section of downpipe or gutter pop.
6. Fasten your Leaf Beater to the fascia or wall with two rivets or screws through the back of its body.
7. Reinsert the Clean Shield™ screen into your rain head at approximately 45 degrees until the front rubber channel is nearly over the front lip of the body. If necessary, wet the rubber seal to help the screen slide into place.
8. Fix the front of the Clean Shield™ screen into place by sliding the rubber channel over the front lip of the body. Reaching towards the back of the screen, push down on the plastic frame so that the rear edge comes to rest on the body of the rain head.
9. If desired, you can paint your rain head to match your downpipes and/or building.

To reduce your maintenance burden, your rain head’s Clean Shield™ screen is mostly self-cleaning. If cleaning is required, simply remove the Clean Shield™ screen using the quick release tabs and hose or brush it off before reinserting into your rain head.

• Leaf Beater

• Tape measure 
• Marker pen 
• Saw 
• Screws or rivets 
• Screwdriver or rivet gun 
• Solvent cement glue

How high should I install my Leaf Eater rain head?

Rain heads must be installed so they are higher than the inlet on your rainwater tank. This is necessary to allow water to flow through the pipework to your tank and to avoid water overflowing from your rain head.

If you have a wet rain harvesting system (a system where pipes feeding your tank sit below the level of the tank inlet and hold water), you should install your rain head a minimum of 500mm (19.6″) above the height of your tank inlet. Where possible, we recommend that you maximise the height of your rain head in relation to your tank inlet even further. This may be especially necessary if you have a longer wet system.

For best results, consult a licensed plumber to discuss the optimal height of your rain heads so you can avoid damage to your property, risks to your personal safety and other negative consequences of water overflowing from your rain heads.

Should I mount my Leaf Eater rain head at the gutter or on the wall?

The ideal location for a rain head is directly beneath your gutter outlet at the fascia board or eaves. Where access is difficult – for example, on a two-storey house – your rain head can be installed “mid” mount on the wall lower down away from the gutter. When selecting your installation point, it’s important to consider the height of your rainwater tank inlet, as your rain head should be installed a minimum of 500mm (19.6″) above the height of your tank inlet. Your chosen installation point should tread the balance between maximum height in relation to the height of your tank inlet, and safe and easy accessibility for maintenance.

Can I upgrade my Leaf Eater Original or older Leaf Beater with the new patented screen technology?

Yes. Upgrade screens are available for both new and old Leaf Eater and Leaf Beater rain heads. The patented Clean Shield Screens keeps leaves, debris, mosquitos and larger pests out of your pipes – no second screen required.

Can I paint my Leaf Eater rain head?

Yes. All the rain heads in our Leaf Eater range can be painted to match your home or building. Check with your local paint retailer to ensure you select a product that’s suitable for use with plastic.

I have pine needles. Which Leaf Eater rain head should I use?

All our Leaf Eater rain heads are suitable for use in areas with pine needles. However, due to the fine size of the needles, more regular maintenance will be required to remove any pine needle debris from your rain head.

My Leaf Eater rain head is overflowing. Why is this happening?

The most common reason a rain head overflows is insufficient or irregular maintenance. Check and clean your rain head screens regularly to ensure they continue to function optimally.

Alternatively, your rain head may overflow if there is insufficient “fall” from the rain head to the tank inlet – in other words, if your rain head is not positioned high enough in relation to the height of your rainwater tank inlet. A height difference between your rain head and tank inlet is necessary to allow water to be pushed through your rain harvesting system under gravity.

Will my Leaf Eater rain head splash water into my covered patio area?

Rain heads with an open “face” have an angled, self-cleaning screen designed to minimise splashing as leaves and debris are deflected away from the flow of water. This applies to all our rain heads that feature our Clean Shield screens, as well as the Leaf Eater Original.

If you are still concerned about splashing, consider choosing a rain head with an anti-splash cover such as the Leaf Eater Slimline or Leaf Eater Ultra.

What’s the difference between each rain head in the Leaf Eater range?

All our Leaf Eater rain heads feature mosquito-proof screens and are designed to keep leaves, debris, mosquitoes and other pests out of your downpipes and rain harvesting system. Several of our rain heads feature patented VH pivots for installation on horizontal and vertical downpipes, some feature anti-splash covers and some feature additional technology such as our Hydro Activated Filtration screen system and red overflow indicator flags.