Author Topic: Leaky water butt  (Read 16572 times)

Tin Shed

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Leaky water butt
« on: October 29, 2007, 11:55:49 »
I have been given a water butt, but it has a slow leak from the tap. Have tried some guttering sealant which isn't working and still have a slow drip.
What is the best way to seal round the tap fitting?

dtw

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2007, 12:55:35 »
You will need to empty it, but new washers on the inside and outside of the tap.
If the actual tap is leaking, apply some vaseline to the 'workings'.

Tin Shed

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2007, 13:04:25 »
Thanks dwt - I think it needs news washers then.
The next question is - where do I get them from?

star

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2007, 18:42:20 »
You can try B&Q, Focus or other DIY store. Or next time you see a Screw Fix ad on the telly....send off for a catalogue. Im not sure if you have to buy in bulk or not from them.

Another place to look is a small family run washing machine repair place (if there is one near you)....they always use washers. If you dont know the size, take the tap with you ;)
I was born with nothing and have most of it left.

asbean

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2007, 19:01:01 »
We tried running ptfe plumbing tape round the screw threads and that worked.
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Kea

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2007, 09:38:13 »
I made water butts from food barrels (fruit pulp) and bought taps then found like you that the tap leaked. I bought some ring washers from my local diy and they worked without any other sealants or tapes. Crawling in the barrel wasn't a lot of fun for me but it must have entertained any neighbours that happened to look out their back windows at the time. Tip: Wedge the barrel with something so it doesn't roll about when you're inside it! ;D

asbean

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2007, 10:28:42 »
 :o :o :o   I can just picture it - how entertaining!!!!
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Fork

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2007, 10:54:30 »
Read somewhere recently about someone who used that "No More Nails" stuff to stop there water butt tap leaking.
You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friends nose

dtw

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2007, 12:39:02 »
I was going to suggest that, but it doesn't bond with plastic very well,
any small knock will break off.

Clayhithe

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2007, 14:55:21 »
where do I get them from?

Cut them from an old hot water bottle.
Good gardening!

John

Tin Shed

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2007, 15:44:54 »
Thanks for all the suggestions. Will dismantle the water butt tomorrow [was busy making a leaf mold container today] and either try the local hardware shops or find my old hot water bottle.

cleo

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2007, 18:40:58 »
Handy hint-connect a length of hose with a stop end. Leave the tap open.

Saves wear and tear on the joint

Baaaaaaaa

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2007, 13:45:02 »
you can cut up and use anything rubber - innertubes, tyres, the kids training shoes, or the other halfs underware.
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nippie

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #13 on: November 05, 2007, 14:24:14 »
you can cut up and use anything rubber - innertubes, tyres, the kids training shoes, or the other halfs underware.

Tut tut  :o Mind you there is nothing worse than a leaking butt  ;D
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Its a million little things.

flowerofshona2007

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #14 on: November 05, 2007, 17:19:22 »
How about applying some bathroom silcone before you re seal it  :)

dtw

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #15 on: November 06, 2007, 22:54:21 »
Have you fixed it yet? 

The suspense is killing us. ;D

tartonterro

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #16 on: November 12, 2007, 21:41:54 »
try a product called milliput - its a modeling clay that hardens under water, not exactly inexpensive - but a little goes a long - used it to seal a hole in my water barrel at home.

Robert_Brenchley

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Re: Leaky water butt
« Reply #17 on: November 12, 2007, 21:45:31 »
Tut tut  :o Mind you there is nothing worse than a leaking butt  ;D

It might have been the piss barrel.

 

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