Have a small crack about 2cm long in poly water tank (its a 127litre tank). Is there a product that will repair the crack ? What do you recommend please ? Also, would you know where to source a new tank if repair is not an option. Many thanks
deverall11 said
09:03 PM May 18, 2023
On the assumption it can be fixed, I'd be looking for a plastic welder and go from there. Hopefully you can find someone who is honest
and can help.
Sorry mate, that is not suitable for polyethelene.
deverall11 said
11:10 PM May 18, 2023
Google 'how to repair a polyethelene water tank' and this is what you get
The best way to fix a hole in a poly water tank is with the use of a professional plastic extrusion welder. With a plastic extrusion welder, you inject molten polymer rod into the hole via a bull-nose tip (part of the machine).
Possum3 said
08:02 AM May 19, 2023
BarneyBDB wrote:
Sorry mate, that is not suitable for polyethelene.
Thats what I used.
-- Edited by Possum3 on Friday 19th of May 2023 08:04:38 AM
peter67 said
10:41 AM May 19, 2023
deverall11 wrote:
Google 'how to repair a polyethelene water tank' and this is what you get
The best way to fix a hole in a poly water tank is with the use of a professional plastic extrusion welder. With a plastic extrusion welder, you inject molten polymer rod into the hole via a bull-nose tip (part of the machine).
Correct. I'm a gummint certified plastic welder now retired.
woolman said
11:40 AM May 19, 2023
It is possible to repair a plastic tank with an electric soldering iron. You need some of the same plastic to be able to add more bulk to the weld.
I have successfully done this myself so can work, providing no moisture can interfere. We had a 12 volt poly pipe welder that joined pipe in a joint stronger than the pipe itself, hence discovering how easy plastic is to repair.
Neil
Cupie said
08:28 PM May 19, 2023
woolman wrote:
It is possible to repair a plastic tank with an electric soldering iron. You need some of the same plastic to be able to add more bulk to the weld.
I have successfully done this myself so can work, providing no moisture can interfere. We had a 12 volt poly pipe welder that joined pipe in a joint stronger than the pipe itself, hence discovering how easy plastic is to repair.
Neil
That's what I did to fill a few no longer needed holes in my Sit On Top Kayak. Easy Peasy & still OK 10 years later.
Jaahn said
06:42 PM May 21, 2023
RobDor wrote:
Have a small crack about 2cm long in poly water tank (its a 127litre tank). Is there a product that will repair the crack ? What do you recommend please ? Also, would you know where to source a new tank if repair is not an option. Many thanks
Hi Rob, here is a site on the internet with some good looking glue solutions.
I have used a soldering iron and a plastic welder also but some skill is required so doing a water tank is not a good place to start probably. You do not actually melt the material to weld it, just get it to soften and press the softened rod onto the crack.
good luck jaahn
Bas + Eve said
09:41 AM May 23, 2023
As seen on TV..Flexseal. My Son repaired a 55000 ltr tank with it. 15 months on still good.
Dick0 said
11:38 AM May 23, 2023
Bas + Eve wrote:
As seen on TV..Flexseal. My Son repaired a 55000 ltr tank with it. 15 months on still good.
Excellent product to repair water containers.
Flexseal clear liquid 2/3 light coats or FlexTape to inner and outer surfaces if you have access to interior of tank.
Follow written instructions.
Tony Bev said
08:15 PM May 23, 2023
RobDor wrote:
Have a small crack about 2cm long in poly water tank (its a 127litre tank). Is there a product that will repair the crack ? What do you recommend please ? Also, would you know where to source a new tank if repair is not an option. Many thanks
Hi RobDor
I was in the same boat as you, a small crack in my water tank, and found that for whatever reason, that I could not buy a new tank, of the same awkward Jayco shape (80 litres)
My research led me to believe that RV water tanks are made from polyethylene plastic (I saw no plastic type numbers on my tank, as I did not remove it)
I brought some polyethylene plastic from a local plastic repair mob, and used a normal (cheap from Bunnings) 240 volt 80 watt soldering iron
I cleaned the (dry) area with Isopropyl Alcohol Cleaner, also from Bunnings, but not as cheap as the soldering iron
I managed to fix the leak, by following utube plastic welding, (I did not place any stainless mesh over the repair, as I had none)
The repair has held so far (about 18 months)
As a matter of interest to others, (I was experimenting, err playing around)
Using a 300/600 12 VDC to 240 VAC, inverter from my batteries to the soldering iron, I was pulling just over 8 amps out of the batteries I repaired the water tank, with the soldering iron running through the inverter from the 12 volt batteries
Therefore in my opinion, any plastic repair mob would be able to repair a RV water tank
Breeze said
08:58 PM May 25, 2023
Selleys All Clear/Storm will not only stick to polyethylene, you can apply it wet. Is amazing product I wouldn't be without travelling.
and can help.
The best way to fix a hole in a poly water tank is with the use of a professional plastic extrusion welder. With a plastic extrusion welder, you inject molten polymer rod into the hole via a bull-nose tip (part of the machine).
Thats what I used.
-- Edited by Possum3 on Friday 19th of May 2023 08:04:38 AM
Correct. I'm a gummint certified plastic welder now retired.
It is possible to repair a plastic tank with an electric soldering iron. You need some of the same plastic to be able to add more bulk to the weld.
I have successfully done this myself so can work, providing no moisture can interfere. We had a 12 volt poly pipe welder that joined pipe in a joint stronger than the pipe itself, hence discovering how easy plastic is to repair.
Neil
That's what I did to fill a few no longer needed holes in my Sit On Top Kayak. Easy Peasy & still OK 10 years later.
Hi Rob, here is a site on the internet with some good looking glue solutions.
https://gluetips.com/glue-for-polypropylene/
I have used a soldering iron and a plastic welder also but some skill is required so doing a water tank is not a good place to start probably.
You do not actually melt the material to weld it, just get it to soften and press the softened rod onto the crack.
good luck jaahn
Excellent product to repair water containers.
Flexseal clear liquid 2/3 light coats or FlexTape to inner and outer surfaces if you have access to interior of tank.
Follow written instructions.
Hi RobDor
I was in the same boat as you, a small crack in my water tank, and found that for whatever reason, that I could not buy a new tank, of the same awkward Jayco shape (80 litres)
My research led me to believe that RV water tanks are made from polyethylene plastic (I saw no plastic type numbers on my tank, as I did not remove it)
I brought some polyethylene plastic from a local plastic repair mob, and used a normal (cheap from Bunnings) 240 volt 80 watt soldering iron
I cleaned the (dry) area with Isopropyl Alcohol Cleaner, also from Bunnings, but not as cheap as the soldering iron
I managed to fix the leak, by following utube plastic welding, (I did not place any stainless mesh over the repair, as I had none)
The repair has held so far (about 18 months)
As a matter of interest to others, (I was experimenting, err playing around)
Using a 300/600 12 VDC to 240 VAC, inverter from my batteries to the soldering iron, I was pulling just over 8 amps out of the batteries
I repaired the water tank, with the soldering iron running through the inverter from the 12 volt batteries
Therefore in my opinion, any plastic repair mob would be able to repair a RV water tank
Selleys All Clear/Storm will not only stick to polyethylene, you can apply it wet.
Is amazing product I wouldn't be without travelling.