An update - I went to Wickes today and bought some all purpose sealant/silicone based. Ideal for use in kitchens,bathrooms,window and door frames. Interior and exterior use,waterproof,highly flexible.
However, I read the small print on each different sealant and seemingly without exception says 'not suitable for locations subject to continuous water immersion'. So I went to find an assistant,told her everything...leaky water butt etc. But did she have a clue? Nope. Just pointed to where I'd been saying that if it wasn't there they didn't have it in stock.
Why do they never know anything about what they're selling?
Many thanks you three - the problem is getting at it from inside the butt. At the store yesterday,by far the most helpful person was a fellow customer who recommended a plumber's putty-type material. That's what I asked the assistant for but as she had no idea I went for this one.
I've applied it thickly and must say its very sticky cos I struggled to get it off my hands. All three of your suggestions are very sound and much appreciated,though Pete - the butt was second hand and didn't cost me anything. I'll see how this sealant goes,if it fails I'll look at your suggestions Lyn and Dove
Its leaking still despite plastering it around the tap fitting both inside and out. Didn't even have to touch the tap so will try a new washer or failing that a new butt.
I was just about to suggest aquarium sealant, but I see that Dove has beaten me to it .
It is designed to be used to repair the inside of fish tanks when the original silicone sealant has perished.
I remember my Dad once made a fish tank from scratch,out of some sheets of glass and aquarium sealant. It lasted for years and remained 100% watertight. I used that tank several years later to keep my gerbils in .
Too late now, but when I had two water butts leaking I found someone with narrow shoulders to reach inside and hold the nut while I tightened up the tap. Simple as that. But then that might not have been your problem....
Thanks Poppy and Steve - maybe I'll try the aquarium sealant. As you mention Steve,its the getting inside and I'm quite a big bloke. The rubber washer has split but there's a hardware store in town and I'll see if I can get one.
No washers at the store to fit so I bought some 'Leak-fix plastic packing'. I've just about managed to get inside while Mrs F held the tap on the outside. The plastic nut feels cross threaded,it just kept turning the tap in her hand even with an adjustable spanner fully on it.
I really think a new butt is the only course of action. This plastic packing has to be applied quickly before setting and when you can't get at something, 'quickly' becomes difficult. With a tap that is going to receive constant movement for water access, I can only see it leaking again a month or two down the line even if the filler holds it for a time. Fillers are always a bodge in such circumstances.
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An update - I went to Wickes today and bought some all purpose sealant/silicone based. Ideal for use in kitchens,bathrooms,window and door frames. Interior and exterior use,waterproof,highly flexible.
However, I read the small print on each different sealant and seemingly without exception says 'not suitable for locations subject to continuous water immersion'. So I went to find an assistant,told her everything...leaky water butt etc. But did she have a clue? Nope. Just pointed to where I'd been saying that if it wasn't there they didn't have it in stock.
Why do they never know anything about what they're selling?
Fishy, can you get the tap off it, if so take it down the plumbers, they will fit you up with a washer.
If a washer doesn't do the trick, I wonder if this would http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/aquarium-sealant
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Is the manufacturer name on the butt?
Maybe call them and ask if they can send a replacement
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Many thanks you three - the problem is getting at it from inside the butt. At the store yesterday,by far the most helpful person was a fellow customer who recommended a plumber's putty-type material. That's what I asked the assistant for but as she had no idea I went for this one.
I've applied it thickly and must say its very sticky cos I struggled to get it off my hands. All three of your suggestions are very sound and much appreciated,though Pete - the butt was second hand and didn't cost me anything. I'll see how this sealant goes,if it fails I'll look at your suggestions Lyn and Dove
Its leaking still despite plastering it around the tap fitting both inside and out. Didn't even have to touch the tap so will try a new washer or failing that a new butt.
I was just about to suggest aquarium sealant, but I see that Dove has beaten me to it
.
It is designed to be used to repair the inside of fish tanks when the original silicone sealant has perished.
I remember my Dad once made a fish tank from scratch,out of some sheets of glass and aquarium sealant. It lasted for years and remained 100% watertight. I used that tank several years later to keep my gerbils in
.
Too late now, but when I had two water butts leaking I found someone with narrow shoulders to reach inside and hold the nut while I tightened up the tap. Simple as that. But then that might not have been your problem....
Thanks Poppy and Steve - maybe I'll try the aquarium sealant. As you mention Steve,its the getting inside and I'm quite a big bloke. The rubber washer has split but there's a hardware store in town and I'll see if I can get one.
No washers at the store to fit so I bought some 'Leak-fix plastic packing'. I've just about managed to get inside while Mrs F held the tap on the outside. The plastic nut feels cross threaded,it just kept turning the tap in her hand even with an adjustable spanner fully on it.
I really think a new butt is the only course of action. This plastic packing has to be applied quickly before setting and when you can't get at something, 'quickly' becomes difficult. With a tap that is going to receive constant movement for water access, I can only see it leaking again a month or two down the line even if the filler holds it for a time. Fillers are always a bodge in such circumstances.