RDWC leaking issue

snap360 · Nov 19, 2018

From my previous thread https://www.rollitup.org/t/rdwc-waterfall-design-critique.978555/, I purchased the HDX totes, 2" bulkhead slip x slip and PVC supplies.

Now, I'm dealing with leaking issues. I have tried to apply flex seal glue on the inside of the buckets twice and it still leaks, although leak slower.

Installation method
1 - drill 3" inch hole with holesaw and deburr the hole.
2 - install the bulkhead and use plumbing wrench to tighten the nut with the rubber gasket on the inside. I tried to make it as tight as possible to avoid leaks.
3 - Install PVC pipe with PVC cleaner and cement to bulkheads.

So after filling the buckets with water, it started to leak. I then applied the flex seal glue on the inside, let it cured for 24 hours and try again. It leak again. So I drain out system, re-apply flex glue, let it cure and it continues to leak.

What am I doing wrong and how can I resolve this leaking issue?

My thoughts are to apply the sealant on the outside of the buckets where the leaks occur. Is this the right approach?

xjking · Nov 19, 2018

You should be getting no leaks in the bulkhead fitting unless your gasket is damaged. I just built mine, exactly like yours this weekend and as long as the nuts were tightened, there are no leaks. Make sure they are tight and your gasket is on the outside of the container.

GBAUTO · Nov 19, 2018

Agreed. I use the same fittings and the same totes. I suspect that you've overtightened the nut and squashed/deformed the rubber gasket. It only needs slight compression to seal-don't crush it.

GBAUTO · Nov 19, 2018

snap360 said:
From my previous thread https://www.rollitup.org/t/rdwc-waterfall-design-critique.978555/, I purchased the HDX totes, 2" bulkhead slip x slip and PVC supplies.

Installation method
1 - drill 3" inch hole with holesaw and deburr the hole.
2 - install the bulkhead and use plumbing wrench to tighten the nut with the rubber gasket on the inside. I tried to make it as tight as possible to avoid leaks.
3 - Install PVC pipe with PVC cleaner and cement to bulkheads.

Is the gasket on the same side as the nut? It needs to be on the other end so that it doesn't deform as you turn the nut.

snap360 · Nov 19, 2018

GBAUTO said:
Is the gasket on the same side as the nut? It needs to be on the other end so that it doesn't deform as you turn the nut.

Gasket is on inside of tote, same as nut. Since I already applied flex glue to it, what are my choices? Start over or apply water sealant to outside? Any ideas?

xjking · Nov 20, 2018

You can put sealant on the outside, it should work for you.

Airwalker16 · Nov 20, 2018

snap360 said:
From my previous thread https://www.rollitup.org/t/rdwc-waterfall-design-critique.978555/, I purchased the HDX totes, 2" bulkhead slip x slip and PVC supplies.

Now, I'm dealing with leaking issues. I have tried to apply flex seal glue on the inside of the buckets twice and it still leaks, although leak slower.

Installation method
1 - drill 3" inch hole with holesaw and deburr the hole.
2 - install the bulkhead and use plumbing wrench to tighten the nut with the rubber gasket on the inside. I tried to make it as tight as possible to avoid leaks.
3 - Install PVC pipe with PVC cleaner and cement to bulkheads.

So after filling the buckets with water, it started to leak. I then applied the flex seal glue on the inside, let it cured for 24 hours and try again. It leak again. So I drain out system, re-apply flex glue, let it cure and it continues to leak.

What am I doing wrong and how can I resolve this leaking issue?

My thoughts are to apply the sealant on the outside of the buckets where the leaks occur. Is this the right approach?

Gasket on OUTSIDE and be sure when it starts to get tight, you keep an eye on the gasket that it doesn't get misshapen.

Airwalker16 · Nov 20, 2018

snap360 said:
Gasket is on inside of tote, same as nut. Since I already applied flex glue to it, what are my choices? Start over or apply water sealant to outside? Any ideas?

You should have waited for advice before gluing up.

snap360 · Nov 20, 2018

xjking said:
You can put sealant on the outside, it should work for you.

Ok, I'll give that a shot. Thanks for your help

snap360 · Nov 20, 2018

Airwalker16 said:
Gasket on OUTSIDE and be sure when it starts to get tight, you keep an eye on the gasket that it doesn't get misshapen.

I'll note that for next time.

Banana444 · Nov 20, 2018

If you use anything for sealant, use aquarium silicone, it will not permanently glue anything together. I had the same issue when i built my 1st rdwc and ended up just sandwiching everything with aquarium silicone and that worked great.

firsttimeARE · Nov 20, 2018

When I do bulkheads the threads are on the outside and the gasket is on the inside between the tote wall and the lip of the bulkhead. Then the nut goes on the outside to squeeze the lip up against the gasket and the gasket up against the inside tote wall.

If you put the gasket on the outside and the threads on the inside water will seep into the threads and thru the gasket. This happened to me.

This is how I would install it. Not sure why no one suggested this

xjking · Nov 20, 2018

firsttimeARE said:
When I do bulkheads the threads are on the outside and the gasket is on the inside between the tote wall and the lip of the bulkhead. Then the nut goes on the outside to squeeze the lip up against the gasket and the gasket up against the inside tote wall.

If you put the gasket on the outside and the threads on the inside water will seep into the threads and thru the gasket. This happened to me.

This is how I would install it. Not sure why no one suggested this

By putting the threads on the inside, everything can be disassembled for cleaning or whatever. With the threads on the outside, you can not completely disassemble everything.

GBAUTO · Nov 20, 2018

firsttimeARE said:
If you put the gasket on the outside and the threads on the inside water will seep into the threads and thru the gasket. This happened to me.

This is how I would install it. Not sure why no one suggested this

This is a definite possibility. That's why I use a thin film of RTV on the gasket surface and let it cure in place after tightening the fitting. Just have to careful not to squeeze out the gasket by overtightening.

Badrice08 · Nov 20, 2018

I had this problem slightly, and the fix was to tighten the bulkhead even more. I did this until I had no more leaks but make sure your hole isn't too large for the actual gasket material. I am using 2" bulkheads and cranked on em with a very large set of channel lock pliers past the point where I felt was necessary. If you still have problems you can always thread tape the threads and then tighten, but this is usually over-kill vs the GIANT channel locks.

Good luck.

louiedogg · Nov 13, 2019

hate to bump this thread but just curious if you resolved this issue, currently going through the same issues and its driving me nuts, tightened them as tight as possible n i got lil leaks, i just sprayed flex seal all around my 5 hdx totes but im doubtful.

rkymtnman · Nov 13, 2019

louiedogg said:
i just sprayed flex seal all around my 5 hdx totes but im doubtful.

i would use aquarium sealant. it's safe for fish, so probably safer for humans.

i dont' trust the flex seal guy by the way.

myke · Nov 13, 2019

The flex seal stinks for weeks,polyurethane is better then silicone.put some on the threads then tighten.

rkymtnman · Nov 13, 2019

myke said:
polyurethane is better then silicone.

is that safe for humans? whatever is in your res will be in your plants eventually

myke · Nov 13, 2019

rkymtnman said:
is that safe for humans? whatever is in your res will be in your plants eventually

sure,only on the threads, a little goes a long way.Im threads outside so no water should touch.

RDWC leaking issue

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