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Discussion on Leak - Rubbermaid water trough
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Member:
Annes
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 21, 2005 - 4:28 pm:
I have a 100 gallon Rubbermaid water trough that just sprung a leak near the bottom. It was fine before I cleaned and refilled it last night. This morning it was leaking and only half full. I thought about duct tape but wondered if anyone else has found anything that worked well. Thanks for any ideas.
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Member:
Mrose
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 21, 2005 - 4:41 pm:
Wonder how that gooey glue that is used to repair tennis shoes would work? My son mended the dog's dish with it and it's holding together really good.
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Member:
Eoeo
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 21, 2005 - 5:57 pm:
I would try the calking they use on aquariums. EO
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Jul 22, 2005 - 7:35 am:
The first step is to empty the tub and examine the crack or leak, once we know where it is and how big it is you can make some decisions. If you emptied it by opening the drain, did you possibly not close it back tightly. I suspect we have a dozen of the things around the farm and though they get rough treatment and some have to be over 15 years old and we have never had trouble with one, but we turn them over and don't mess with the drain.
DrO
DrO
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Member:
Tpmiller
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Posted on Friday, Jul 22, 2005 - 10:21 am:
Number of mine have leaked at the drain plug. There is a sealant sold in plumbing section of any hardware store that stays soft, fixed all my leaks.
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Member:
Annes
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Posted on Friday, Jul 22, 2005 - 2:17 pm:
It isn't leaking at the drain. It is about 3 inches to the left of the drain where it curves in. I've had two of these for several years and never had this happen before. It is only a small "razor blade like" slit. I can get my finger nail in it from the inside and the outside. I just got back from the hardware store with a waterproof plumbing goo they suggested. I've just read the small print and it said not to use in contact with drinking water and specifically mentioned animals. I will look again but maybe I need to buy a new one.
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Member:
Chohler
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Posted on Friday, Jul 22, 2005 - 4:15 pm:
Aquarium sealant works wonders!
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Member:
Kari
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Posted on Friday, Jul 22, 2005 - 9:59 pm:
All the previous suggestions are good however I would suggest that you contact Rubbermaid for the proper way to seal the leak. I have several Rubbermaid products and I can't speak too highly of them. I've done this with other products and have always had success in solving the problem.
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Member:
Annes
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 23, 2005 - 11:51 am:
I have gained some time to solve this problem because last night the leak had stopped by itself. I am sure the next time it is moved it will leak again. I will buy some aquarium sealant to have on hand and also try to contact Rubbermaid and see what they say. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 23, 2005 - 9:41 pm:
Tim, do you drain them by the plug? We never touch it and just turn them over. Aquarium sealer and silastic sealer are the same and will work is used correctly and perfectly safe to use no matter what the instructions say but I do agree with ST call Rubbermaid and see what they recommend they may no something that works even better. Let us know too.
DrO
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Member:
Annes
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Posted on Monday, Jul 25, 2005 - 3:25 pm:
I called Rubbermaid and was told that customers have reported to them that "J.B. Weld" adhesive works to repair leaks in the Rubbermaid trough. It is not toxic when completely dry. I had not heard of this adhesive but found it without any problem at my local hardware store for $4.99. The trough mysteriously started leaking again so I will be repairing this soon. By the way, Rubbermaid said the warranty is 1 year and added that when "exposed to the elements" this can happen.
Dr. O - I do drain them by the plug. I keep refilled with fresh water and never let them get low so I am not able to turn them over.
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Member:
Annes
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 26, 2005 - 11:11 am:
Follow up - I got an email this morning from Rubbermaid saying they do not recommend patching stock tanks. (I had emailed them first and then decided to call.) Just thought I'd pass this along.
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Member:
Dyduroc
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 26, 2005 - 12:25 pm:
Ann, did they give you a reason why they don't recommend patching stock tanks?
D.
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Member:
Annes
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 26, 2005 - 3:29 pm:
No they didn't but the email also added what the rep told me on the phone about customers using the J.B. Weld successfully. Maybe they want to sell new tanks? I am still going to try the adhesive since I've already purchased it. I'll let everyone know how it works.
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Member:
Ajudson1
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Posted on Friday, Jul 29, 2005 - 2:27 pm:
I think they just want to sell more tanks. Another way to stop the leak if it's at the bottem edge is to keep sand on the bottem of the tank. Of course then you'd want to be sure and keep the tank full enough so the sand isn't ingested. That would slow the leak, not completely stop it.
Another idea is to drill a small hole where the leak is and put a piece of rubber on the inside. Then you place a screw thru the middle of the rubber patch and tank and tighten it all together with a washer and nut. Probably the least toxic idea there is.
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Member:
Jmccall
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Posted on Thursday, Aug 4, 2005 - 7:48 am:
We had most of our grey poly tanks split the same way when we were caughht by an early freeze up and they stood full of ice all winter. Too cheap to buy a "plastic welding kit" I found on line, and suspicious of adhesives, I dried them out well shaved material off the rim and melted it into the split, inside and outside, with a soldering iron, making a "hot weld" patch.
One needs re-do, but the rest are holding, and would be non-toxic. I always drill the rims so they will drain when I dump them out and not retain a couple quarts of dirty water, so in future I will save the material the bit chucks out for repairs.
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Member:
annes
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 - 3:33 pm:
I finally got around to fixing the leak on this water trough and used aquarium sealer. It was fast and easy and now no leaks. I can't believe it took me 3 years to get around to fixing it!
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Member:
babychop
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 - 4:55 pm:
LOL! If you ever find it leaks from the plug we use teflon tape when we seal it back & it solves it. The aquarium sealer was sheer genius.
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 - 5:21 pm:
Thanks ladies I was just going to degrade a leaking trough to a flower container! Expensive and not exactly pretty
Jos
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Member:
babychop
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 - 5:46 pm:
Jos if it makes you feel any better I did bequeath a smaller one that we couldn't keep one of the Danes from using as a foot bath to the boyfriend. He's turned it into a vegetable garden... 
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Member:
lindas
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Posted on Tuesday, Jul 22, 2008 - 10:20 pm:
Hey, I saw some stuff this weekend on one of those come on "as seen on TV" ads, some kind of putty. I think it might work in this situation. But I don't remember what it is called! You will just have to look for it on TV. Then again, I would probably buy the stuff and wait three years to use, then it would be hard as a rock. Let's hear it for the procrastinators!
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Member:
paardex
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008 - 2:59 am:
Gosh he is on the same line as I am! I was thinking with horsemanure and straw on the bottom it would be a lovely place to have wintersalad.
Jos
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Member:
annes
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008 - 10:15 am:
The aquarium sealer said it was not toxic to fish so I felt safe using it. The first stuff I bought at the hardware store did not say it wasn't toxic. I do like everyone's idea for "Plan B" and my choice would be growing tomatoes!
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Member:
babychop
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 23, 2008 - 10:51 am:
I think Linda's talking about that wonder putty the guy that sells OxyClean has on the market. You cut off a piece of it & rub it around in your hands to mix the 2 components and it is supposed to bond anything. Not so sure that wouldn't be toxic in this situation though, probably best to stick to the aquarium stuff.
Oh and jos, I'm right there with you on the tomatoes, I used to grow the BEST tomatoes but since the vermin have found our garden all we get is onions & garlic. It's open season on squirrels & bunnies in these parts!
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