Our steel rainwater tank is leaking from one of the screw (rivet) holes. Is there anything that I can simply use to stop the leak?
Thanks in advance.
Steel Rainwater Tank Leaking
notdealbot on 17/08/2024 - 12:12
Last edited 17/08/2024 - 13:18 by 1 other user
Last edited 17/08/2024 - 13:18 by 1 other user
Comments
Have tried that tape and it was crap, didn't even look like it was going to stick to the gal tank. Might work OK on other surfaces or on a very clean and dry tank?
The steel tanks usually have a polymer lining inside to keep the steel from contacting the water. You need to patch it from the inside otherwise the water will contuine to spread between the liner and the steel like a blister.
Only some tanks do, our doesn't. :)
Most tanks dont.
For ease of use because I'm guessing you don't have a caulking gun
https://www.mitre10.com.au/selleys-roof-gutter-silicone-tran…
.Arg, welcome to my nightmare. Have the same problem here but a bit more extensive due to the tank rusting out and needing replacing (landlord not keen on that ), depending of the size of the leak the following might help.
https://www.selleys.com.au/products/sealants/roofing-silicon…
That stuff is supposed to go onto any surface, including wet stuff though I've found if it is actually leaking at the time of application nothing I have tried so far seems to work. You may have to empty the tank to a lower level than where the leak is, dry that section and then apply stuff. The other stuff that might help is:
https://www.selleys.com.au/products/putty-and-fillers/specia…
It's like a 2-part epoxy putty that you nip a bit off then knead it together and stick it on the leak, again seems to work well but need to go on a dry surface. I've also tried the spray-on rubber type stuff and it didn't really hold where the cracks were more than 1mm or so. Hope that helps.
This is the best answer - OP, if you are able to drain the tank, dry it out and then try and epoxy it that is probably your best bet.
Photo?
The leak will stop once the water level drops below the rivet.
You need to empty the tank below the leak apply a sealant/tape on the inside and use the water pressure in the tank to hold the patch in place
You wont seal it properly from the out side as the water pressure will just push the tape/sealant offInside the tank is the best place to put a patch on if there is any pressure (this sounds like it is seeping) but if the level of the tank is below the leak and you want to try from outside then I would use one of the $40 - 50 fiberglass kits from Bunnings, make a patch that is a lot larger than the seeping rivet and glue that on.
About 15 years ago there was a fault in the construction of blue scope steel rainwater tanks. Turns out they didn’t use stainless steel rivets and subsequently the tanks bowed out. There was no leak, but eventually the tank would burst. I had it replaced under warranty, it took awhile as I didn’t have the receipt and the supplier no longer existed.
Run the water out to below faulty rivet drill the rivet out ( drill bit maybe half the size of the rivet) you want the rivet out without making the rivet hole larger.
Dry and inspect hole.
Coat a new rivet(maybe next size up)with roofing type silicone and fit. Smear a little bit of silicone on rivet after fitting.
Don't let water rise for a day.
Easy fix.
But what about condition of the rest of the tank?
How old? Rust?
first thing that comes to mind
What condition is the rest of the tank ? Surely there would be other rivets on the way out?