What to use to repair a cracked water butt

[Samurailord]

I recently acquired a 200L waterbutt from freecycle, but it soon became very apparant that there was a crack in the base so it won't hold any water at all at the moment.

Can any one recommend anything that I can use to seal the crack, which runs almost across the whole base, or should I give up on it as a water butt and fill it with sand and compost and use it to grow some giant parsnips and carrots in?

Thanks

Andy

[alldigging]

Nic says it depends what sort of plastic it is.
If it is ABS you can weld it together.

[alldigging]

alternatively, for ABS or other styrene based plastics, airfix glue is actually a solvent cement, so as long as the crack closes very well, you could glue it

[Fleurisa]

I think they are usually made from HDPE. Would bathroom silicone sealant work?

[alldigging]

He says: There is no known glue that really works on HDPE


http://www.eplastics.com/Polyethylene-Adhesives-Glue

[Samurailord]

Can you please ask him to have a look for me when he is next down there and give me his opinion?

Both barrels are on my decking, thankfully only one is cracked, but sod's law says it's the one with the tap

Thanks

Andy

[alldigging]

Will do!
You can always drill a hole and swap the tap.

[Madasafish]

I have a 50 gallon plastic water butt I have successfully repaired- a 10cm long crack in the base. Each repair lasts around 10 years before leaking.

Remove and dry and clean.

Drill holes at either end of the crack to prevent further splitting. Ensure crack is wide enough to be able force filler to the other side... this is vital to prevent the filler from not gripping and being ejected by water pressure or ice in winter. If not wide enough, drill small holes along its length all the way through.

Roughen the crack and a 2cm # distance around the whole length of the crack on the outside using coarse sandpaper or wire wool. You need to have a rough surface for the filler to grip.

USE: Plastic Padding Metal Filler or Plastic Padding water pipe repair.. these come as tubes of filler and setting compound.

Mix as instructions - mix a LOT - you MUST do the entire repair in one go. Force the filler into the crack and all holes you have drilled. Be generous with it. (I used a small mixing trowel but the plastic stirrer the kit supply is OK.) Fill along the entire crack and overlap the sides by 1 -2 cm (see # above)... Smooth the resulting mess.

Leave at least 24 hours to set in a dry place- ensure there are NO frosts .. cover if there are.

Test fill..with water..

If it leaks then , it was not clean or you have not filled it properly.

Always used plastic gloves when using filler.

Hope that works. I have repaired mine twice in 20 years of use when cracked.

[bearded bloke]

Are you anywhere near hamsterhead Andy ? see ... http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...els_75364.html HTH

[alldigging]

Are you anywhere near hamsterhead

LOL Is that a real place?


Edit: OK that's a poster's name not a location.

[DuncanM]

Can you not use Sugru?

[Bigmallly]

Don't know if this helps but it reminds me of fixing a puncture in a football many moons ago. I used to get a red hot knife and slice some of the plastic over the hole, I'm sure you did the same when you was a young 'en. Would it work with a barrel? I don't know, just a thought.

[Bill HH]

Buider flash band (Evo stick) seals most things, Its bitumen and comes on a roll, best done when warm.

[Glutton4...]

If all else fails, line it with a pond-liner!

[Jeanied]

I have used coltogum to fix all sorts of plastics - water butts, leaky drainpipes, plastic watering cans - expensive to buy but I have definitely had my money's worth out of it.