billaustinthey call me Mr. Bill MVM join:2001-10-13 North Las Vegas, NV |
[Plumbing] Tank Repair SuggestionsThe water tank has sprung a leak on the bottom, near the inlet connection. It is a 1000 gallon unit that is about 16 years old. The original installer came out and looked at it. He thinks it can be patched, and could be good for another ~5 years. He said to replace the tank would be around $4000. Any recommendations on methods to patch it? My neighbor has some experience with this. He's worried that trying to weld it will cause a blow out. The well guy suggested trying a metal epoxy. I look forward to your comments. If I did it right, this should be a viewable link to a 30 second video. » onedrive.live.com/redir? ··· eo%2cmp4 |
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TexDave's not here Premium Member join:2012-10-20 |
Tex
Premium Member
2014-Nov-24 8:38 pm
The tank is toast with the leak, so why not try to weld a patch? What have you got to lose? If you have to replace it, are you opposed to polyethylene? They're a lot cheaper than $4,000. |
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davidgGood Bye My Friend MVM join:2002-06-15 00000 |
to billaustin
the problem is unless something hit it and poked the hole then it rusted from inside. so there may not be much life left in the metal around it. I would drain it, clean it, and epoxy a patch over the spot. let the epoxy set overnight before refilling. |
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1 edit |
to billaustin
I don't remember the product but my wife use to fix the bottom of a giant hotel pool with some sort patching putty. It stopped leaks and cured under water. That might work if you can get in the tank???? Let me see if I can find that stuff they used. In case you were wondering my wife scuba dives and when the pool started springing leaks they asked her if she would patch the leaks instead of having to call up a professional diver. She worked at the hotel. Edit found the stuff. I'm not sure it would bond to the metal. My thought there would be make an oversized patch, patch over the hole and fill with water hoping the water pressure would help it stick to the inside of the tank. » www.poolsupplyunlimited. ··· odQEEAswOf course welding a patch would be my first thought. |
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John Galt6Forward, March Premium Member join:2004-09-30 Happy Camp |
to billaustin
How much does the original installer want to do the repair? |
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pende_tim Premium Member join:2004-01-04 Selbyville, DE |
to billaustin
Can you get inside of the tank? If so try some roofing wet patch. If it is drinking water, let patch dry for a while before you use it.
You could also try some gutter seal material applied from the outside if you can get the area dry and leave it dry for a while.
However if this is leaking there that could point to a larger problem. You will want to look at other spots on the tank and see if this is a localized failure or the whole thing is rusting and will need to be replaced. |
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to billaustin
How about a plastic liner for the entire tank? |
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KearnstdSpace Elf Premium Member join:2002-01-22 Mullica Hill, NJ |
to billaustin
A note about patching is what is the take used for?
Since it looks to be sitting outside I am going to guess its not drinking water as you would not want to risk that outside. But if it is drinking water any patching material you will want to make sure its safe to use around potable water storage. |
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billaustinthey call me Mr. Bill MVM join:2001-10-13 North Las Vegas, NV |
to Tex
said by Tex:The tank is toast with the leak, so why not try to weld a patch? What have you got to lose? If you have to replace it, are you opposed to polyethylene? They're a lot cheaper than $4,000. I was wondering if a poly tank would handle the pressure and be safe for drinking water. This is our main water supply, so I need to tread lightly. |
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billaustin |
to davidg
said by davidg:the problem is unless something hit it and poked the hole then it rusted from inside. so there may not be much life left in the metal around it. I would drain it, clean it, and epoxy a patch over the spot. let the epoxy set overnight before refilling. It is rusted from the inside out. That is why he is hesitant to try welding. |
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to billaustin
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billaustinthey call me Mr. Bill MVM join:2001-10-13 North Las Vegas, NV |
to Corehhi
Patching from the inside is a good idea, but there's not an access port big enough to easily do it. |
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robbin Mod join:2000-09-21 Leander, TX |
to LittleBill
said by LittleBill:plastic tanks require a metal cage Not the ones used for water storage. I have two of these or similar. These are rated for drinking water. My oldest tank is about 15 years old and shows no deterioration from sun or weather. » www.plastic-mart.com/pro ··· nk-40631 |
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robbin |
to billaustin
said by billaustin:I was wondering if a poly tank would handle the pressure That tank isn't pressurized is it? |
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billaustinthey call me Mr. Bill MVM join:2001-10-13 North Las Vegas, NV
1 recommendation |
to John Galt6
said by John Galt6:How much does the original installer want to do the repair? Original installer does not want to attempt the repair. He also did not charge for the service call. He made some suggestions on how to repair it, and gave an estimate of how long the tank may last if the repair is successful. I had to call back and ask about replacement cost. The tanks they supply are custom made in Arizona and shipped in. Based on the last tank they ordered, he said it would be around $4000 for a 1000 gallon tank install. |
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to robbin
only familiar with the cage tanks, but i have the seen the one you own now that i come to think of it |
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billaustinthey call me Mr. Bill MVM join:2001-10-13 North Las Vegas, NV |
to robbin
said by robbin:said by billaustin:I was wondering if a poly tank would handle the pressure That tank isn't pressurized is it? Yes. Control switch is set to start pump at 50psi and turn off at 70psi. |
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if that changes things, just setup a normal shallow well pump, with a small storage tank, i would never pay 4k for a metal tank. i hate the metal tank on my generator everything rusts! |
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robbin Mod join:2000-09-21 Leander, TX |
to billaustin
I've never heard of anyone using poly tanks for pressure. With the drought, all of my neighbors have slowly added the large storage tanks I linked to and then just pressurize the house and bladder type pressure tank with a small jet pump. |
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Msradell Premium Member join:2008-12-25 Louisville, KY |
Msradell
Premium Member
2014-Nov-25 6:26 pm
said by robbin:I've never heard of anyone using poly tanks for pressure. With the drought, all of my neighbors have slowly added the large storage tanks I linked to and then just pressurize the house and bladder type pressure tank with a small jet pump. That sounds like what I've seen to. Use the well pump to fill the large tank and just use level sensors to turn it on and off. Then use a small pump of some type to pressurize the bladder tank and the house system. Another advantage of this type of system is that you have a large volume of water in storage so you don't have to worry about the capacity of your well so much. |
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KearnstdSpace Elf Premium Member join:2002-01-22 Mullica Hill, NJ |
to billaustin
NLV never goes below freezing does it? Even in winter and at night? |
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jrs8084 Premium Member join:2002-03-02 Statesville, NC |
to billaustin
Forgive me as I am not a water tank-ologist, but isn't a pressurized tank with 70 PSI+1000 gallons of H20 on top of a rusted out section sound like a more serious problem beyond patching?
While I have never had a water heater fail catastrophically, everybody around here tends to regard water heater leaks as something to address ASAP. Granted this is outside, but isn't this a similar situation (but about 50 times larger)? |
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garys_2k Premium Member join:2004-05-07 Farmington, MI |
to Msradell
said by Msradell:Use the well pump to fill the large tank and just use level sensors to turn it on and off. Then use a small pump of some type to pressurize the bladder tank and the house system. +2. Non-pressure large tanks are a lot less expensive, too. A shallow well jet pump will easily meet the flow needs for the house and can feed a much smaller bladder tank. |
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billaustinthey call me Mr. Bill MVM join:2001-10-13 North Las Vegas, NV |
to Kearnstd
said by Kearnstd:NLV never goes below freezing does it? Even in winter and at night? There's about two weeks during the winter where temps will drop below freezing. It usually does not go below 28, but every once in a while will drop to about 25. |
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garys_2k Premium Member join:2004-05-07 Farmington, MI |
garys_2k
Premium Member
2014-Nov-25 7:19 pm
That won't bother 1000+ gallons of water sitting in a tank. |
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robbin Mod join:2000-09-21 Leander, TX |
to billaustin
My tanks have been down below 20 degrees for a few hours and below freezing for a few days and weren't anywhere near freezing. 2500 gallons seems to be the sweet spot in price per gallon. Nice thing about that size is if you ever need to buy water it is usually delivered in a 2000 gallon truck and that size tank allows utilization of the full load which you pay for whether you need it all or not. |
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billaustinthey call me Mr. Bill MVM join:2001-10-13 North Las Vegas, NV |
to jrs8084
said by jrs8084:Forgive me as I am not a water tank-ologist, but isn't a pressurized tank with 70 PSI+1000 gallons of H20 on top of a rusted out section sound like a more serious problem beyond patching?
While I have never had a water heater fail catastrophically, everybody around here tends to regard water heater leaks as something to address ASAP. Granted this is outside, but isn't this a similar situation (but about 50 times larger)? That's what I am also curious about. I had never dealt with a system like this until moving here. Those I have talked to here see it as an issue that needs addressed ASAP, but not something to panic about. |
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billaustin |
to robbin
We cover the control box and pressure gauge on the end of the tank, and wrap the outgoing pipe between the tank and the ground. I don't recall any issues related to freezing over the years. |
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MaynardKrebsWe did it. We heaved Steve. Yipee. Premium Member join:2009-06-17 |
to billaustin
1. Replace the tank. 2. Spray foam the outside with 1"-2" of foam to insulate it (it'll keep your drinking water cooler year-round and protect from freezing in the winter) 3. Overcoat the foam with a cold-applied spray latex waterproofing material (same stuff is used on ICF foundations) to make it look prettier. |
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Doctor OldsI Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me. Premium Member join:2001-04-19 1970 442 W30 |
to billaustin
said by billaustin: The well guy suggested trying a metal epoxy. Agree. Look at this product below. Warning, sets very fast! » www.amazon.com/J-B-Weld- ··· 00BRQ0TW |
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