How to seal up a leaky tube
I have one of these controllers in the back yard that's attached directly to a spigot, and it works great. In the front yard, though, I'm having a different experience...
I'm using Raindrip 061050 5/8" poly drip tubing... a mistake that I see NOW since everything seems to be designed for 1/2", but I'm too far in it now to go back.
I ran tubing from a spigot to the side of my front porch. The reason for this is:
1) the spigot is a few inches from the ground so a controller won't fit; and
2) I have 2 controllers and a garden hose that will all be connected to the same spigot, so it's better to have the controllers in a more accessible area that's not right on top of the spigot.
I drilled a 3/4" hole in the porch frame, then used elbow connectors to position everything to where I need it.
The problem I'm having is that this ONE elbow leaks when I turn on the water!
Nothing else leaks, so I suspect the problem is the weight of the controller. But the water spews out from the bottom of where the top tube meets the elbow, and I would think that if it were an issue of weight then it would come from the top?
This is the controller:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085K9LN96/
The shipping weight was 1.26lbs, so assume it's somewhere around 1lb total.
I used Loctite All Purpose 2-in-1 Seal & Bond on the elbow a little over 24 hours ago (I put a ton of it around both ends of the elbow before pushing it in to the tube, then wiped off the excess and smoothed it around with my finger), but it's still spewing out.
I just now tried using hose clamps, too, but it still spewed out... I was afraid to tighten them any further for fear that I was gonna crack the elbows.
My only thought... the spew coming out is white, so maybe I need to let the Loctite dry longer?
Any other suggestions before I potentially waste several days?
Comments (14)
Jean
3 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (26)It would be very interesting to hear your outcome. Your posts sound like I had written it myself. The Kohler toilet started to leak as did yours. The flapper valve was dried out and warped. I replaced the flush valve twice then went on to replace the various components of the of the flush tube assembly once and ultimately the entire flush valve as a kit twice - the first was from Kohler and the second an after-market one. Interestingly, no matter what part I change ... or even the entire assembly, the rate of water loss from the tank does not change from one repair attempt to the next. A local hardware employee (whom I know personally as well outside of the workplace) suggested using a silicone sealer between each of the pieces to try to get a better seal ... again no change in the rate of water escaping down into the bowl. I have had the toilet tank apart approximately 12 times in the last 2 weeks. Likewise I have checked carefully for chips and cracks in the tank only to find none. The leak does not make sense. I would atleast expect the rate of water loss from the tank would vary a little from one repair to the next ... tomorrow I am going to buy a non-Kohler toilet; from on-line searches I understand Kohler has had a significant problem with some of their products ......See MoreWhat tape for a leaky condensation pipe joint?
Comments (10)Just a quick follow up to say thanks again and show the solution for others who might need something similar. Parts - 1' of hose $3 - 2 clamps $1 each @ Home Depot. I had to use a knife to feather the inside of the hose to make it go on easier - also used Dawn liquid soap to help slide it on. One of the old plastic joints was so bad it just slipped right off (didn't even have to cut it off)....See Morehow to "fix" leaky windows
Comments (27)I don't have an advice to give for your situation but am in the process of building a home now and was very worried about what you describe. I'm anxious anyway but after walking through and seeing the gaps left after framing I went and about about 10 cans of expandable foam and went to town. I walked through the house on the inside and anywhere I could see light coming through I blasted a bead of foam on it. After the windows and exterior doors were installed I went through the same routine. I wasn't necessarily worried that the insulation crew wouldn't fill the gaps but rather it was that they wouldn't fill ALL of them. I firmly in the camp of "if you want something done right do it yourself." Luckily my builders didn't mind but I did come back and cut out the extra foam that expanded out of the cavities and cleaned up the drips on the floors. Matt Risinger on youtube gave me some great practical tips on what to use and problem areas for those that are building and have some spare time I'd suggest checking his stuff out. Good luck and I hope you can get your issue resolved quickly and cheaply....See MoreJason, zone 7A, near Greensboro NC
3 years agoformulaross20
3 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
3 years agoJason, zone 7A, near Greensboro NC
3 years agoIt warmed up a little so I spent a few minutes on it. I replaced the elbow with one from Lasco, and that DID fix the spraying leak at the elbow! But now I see that I have another (maybe two) leaks at the lower connector; the 1/2" to 3/4" reducer that screws in to the controller.
I wasn't able to try heating it up yet, but I did put the hose clamp back on. I tightened it until I was afraid that I'd crack the connector, but it didn't seem to have any impact on the leak at all :-/
Here are some pics:
The hose on the left goes to another controller in the back yard. I set it up last year and there are no problems there. The second one is simply a garden hose, and the third goes to another controller that I haven't set up yet (both are in the off position). The fourth (farthest right) is the one I'm working with now.
Here you can see a small leak coming from just under the hose clamp. It's a fairly steady stream, though; I blew on it to remove any standing water just before taking this picture.
This is the other side of the same connection. It's kind of hard to tell, but I THINK there's another slower leak on this side.
Jason, zone 7A, near Greensboro NC
3 years agoJason, zone 7A, near Greensboro NC
2 years agoJason, zone 7A, near Greensboro NC
2 years agokudzu9
2 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
2 years agoJason, zone 7A, near Greensboro NC
2 years agokudzu9
2 years ago
kudzu9