Step-By-Step Instructions
- Lay out all broken pieces making sure that all parts are clean and dry. Dry fit the pieces back together and make sure they will fit.
- Fit the pieces together if needed use masking tape to hold them in place. ...
- With the pieces, fit and secure begin applying a heavy bead of resin to the cracks. ...
- Continue to build up the repair with resin. If you have used tape on the first application remove it and ad resin to those areas.
- Leaks in the ABS plumbing piping can also be easily repaired with the resin. Clean the leaking area with a wire brush.
- The ABS sheet stock can be formed to curved areas. ...
- Look around your RV, Auto, and Home for other plastic items to repair. ...
- When your repair is complete remember to remove the applicator tip and put the white seal cap back on. ...
What should I do if my water tank is leaking?
If it is not a fuel tank, first drain and flush the tank numerous times and then begin filling the tank with fresh water. A garden hose into the toilet will probably be the quickest method if you suspect that your black water tank is the leaker.
Where are these cracks in my RV holding tank?
A few weeks ago while I was testing my RV holding tank capacities, I discovered two small cracks. One of the cracks is in the black waste tank and the other in my shower grey tank. Both are located right at the top of the tank at the rounded corners near my waste valves.
How do you find a leak in an RV?
Try parking the RV on a surface that will make it easy to see evidence of the leak location such as a concrete pad or driveway. Parking on dirt, gravel or other type of natural surface will not allow the leak location to be so obvious.
How do you fix a leaky ABS tank?
If you have used a flat patch put the patch down and press it firmly into the resin. If needed apply a weight or use tape to the edges to make sure the patch stays tight to the tank. Leaks in the ABS plumbing piping can also be easily repaired with the resin. Clean the leaking area with a wire brush.
How do I fix a leaking holding tank?
10:0813:08(:HowTo:) Permanently Fix a Leak/Crack in an RV Black or Grey ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI put a coat of the thick stuff on to the leaking part. And put the fiberglass window screen on thenMoreI put a coat of the thick stuff on to the leaking part. And put the fiberglass window screen on then I came back over with the spray. And made sure that all the edges of the window.
Can you repair a plastic holding tank?
0:002:42How To Repair A Damaged RV Holding Tank - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe resin air cures in about 24. Hours depending on how thickly it was applied. This videoMoreThe resin air cures in about 24. Hours depending on how thickly it was applied. This video demonstrates how to repair a damaged RV holding tank. This repair is a large hole in a new tank.
How do you fix a leaking RV water tank?
2:286:35RV water tank leak and repair | TheRVAddict - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo i've actually got this leak see if i can get here this leak was fixed by putting a pipe thread onMoreSo i've actually got this leak see if i can get here this leak was fixed by putting a pipe thread on it and screwing it back in tight and so it's good start leaking from here that's. Because.
How do you fix an RV plastic holding tank?
0:113:50RV How-To Repairing the Holding Tank - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut it can be fixed very easily with the repair kit. And to help us do that today is bill GuerraMoreBut it can be fixed very easily with the repair kit. And to help us do that today is bill Guerra from Bill's RV service here in Ventura California.
Can you patch RV water tank?
2:4515:04Repairing A Cracked RV Tank | DIY Permanent RV Water Tank Repair!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipShop towels drill with a very very small drill bit this is a uh 8 inch drill. Bit. I got the resinMoreShop towels drill with a very very small drill bit this is a uh 8 inch drill. Bit. I got the resin fiberglass cloth all the fiberglass supplies i need picked them up from lowe's.
Can you patch a plastic water tank?
Clean and prepare the area around the crack with 60-grit sandpaper. If the hole or crack is very small, use the plastic welding iron to melt plastic around the hole and fill it in, being careful not to melt through the tank. Melt only a thin layer and work it into the crack.
Can you repair a fiberglass water tank?
Cut a fiberglass patch about 1 to 2 inches larger than the crack in all directions. Mix the epoxy resin with its catalyst. After the catalyst is added, there are only about fifteen minutes of working time before the resin “sets up” and starts to harden.
Can you plastic weld a water tank?
While the plastic water storage tank is brittle, the plastic may get kicked by an animal or bumped by a piece of farm equipment and crack and break. Luckily, these are easily repaired using plastic welders from Polyvance.
How do you repair a polyethylene tank?
0:415:00How to Repair a Polyethylene Agricultural Sprayer Tank - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipClean the damaged area as well as you can with super clean plastic cleaner. Use a rotary tool with aMoreClean the damaged area as well as you can with super clean plastic cleaner. Use a rotary tool with a teardrop-shaped cutting bit to create a V groove and to grind away any crusty oxidized plastic.
How do I fix a hole in my RV black water tank?
2:223:29How to fix your RV Gray or Black water holding tanks from leaking!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow at this point what i did is i put down a layer of epoxy or the jb weld underneath the patch. IMoreNow at this point what i did is i put down a layer of epoxy or the jb weld underneath the patch. I put the patch on top and you can see it kind of wet it out just like you were fiberglassing.
What are RV holding tanks made of?
Varying in size and location, RV water tanks are usually made of ABS or polyethylene plastic. There is one for fresh water, gray water (waste from sinks and showers) and black water (waste water from a toilet).
Why is my black tank leaking?
If your black tank is only leaking when it's full, the problem typically isn't near the drain valve, but rather near the top at one of the connections (vent or drain pipe) or the tank itself has been compromised (ie, a crack near the top).
How do you fix a hole in a plastic water container?
When plastic is punctured, it seems tricky to fix at first. Luckily, there are ways to fix and patch plastic without completely replacing it. A makeshift cement from super glue and baking soda can fill small holes in a pinch. Larger holes in plastic can be filled with melted plastic or epoxy.
How do you fix a crack in a plastic water container?
Apply a line of food-grade silicone sealant on top of the crack. Search online for a bottle of silicone sealant, which works like a waterproof glue. Before making any purchases, double-check that the sealant is food-grade since you'll be drinking out of the repaired water bottle.
How do you fix a crack in a plastic container?
Use plastic glue to fix small cracks in plastic. If you need to reconnect a crack in plastic, you can use plastic glue, which is specially formulated to bond plastic surfaces. Plastic glue is often used for making models so it is easy to use and safe to handle for adults.
How do you fix a hole in a poly water tank?
The best way to fix a hole in a poly water tank is with the use of a professional plastic extrusion welder. With a plastic extrusion welder, you inject molten polymer rod into the hole via a bull-nose tip (part of the machine). Once cool and dry, cut the protruding bit with a knife and smooth out.
What are RV tanks made of?
RV’s have got a lot of tanks. There are fresh water tanks, black water tanks, fuel tanks, propane tanks, etc. Many of these tanks are made of plastic and most will last the life of the RV. These tanks also sometimes have valves, and all of them have supply lines, fittings, and brackets that help them mount to the chassis.
How to tell if black water tank is leaking?
A garden hose into the toilet will probably be the quickest method if you suspect that your black water tank is the leaker. As the tank nears capacity, closely look with that mirror and flashlight to see exactly where the leak appears first. It’s common to see cracks on the sides of the tank near the top, however there are instances ...
How to check if a vent pipe is leaking?
If a vent pipe were to drop it usually drops into the tank through a rubber tank fitting. This may or may not cause an actual tank leak. You can check the vent pipe from up on the roof. Remove the sewer cap for that vent line and look for the ABS pipe. It should stick up about an inch above the roof. If it is much lower than the roof line or not visible at all, then it may have indeed dropped into the tank.
How long does it take for a leak to show?
Some leaks take days to manifest themselves, while other more severe leaks can show signs in minutes.
Can you view the top of a holding tank from below a motorhome?
If it’s not possible to view the top portion of the holding tank from below the motorhome, then the tank will have to be dropped. This may involve removing hangars or angle brackets but it’s not a difficult task though it is time consuming to remove.
Can you use a plastic welder to repair a plastic tank?
At our shop, we employ a plastic welding machine, but not all repair shops are equipped with a plastic welder so you may have to shop around. We strongly recommend against using an aftermarket patch kit as the only long term and proper method of repairing cracks in plastic tanks is by welding. Patch kits should only be used in an emergency situation or for a temporary fix.
Checking Holding Tank Capacity Video
I first priced out new tanks. They go for around $300 bucks and would be a hassle to change due to the topside input plumbing and vent pipes. Maybe there was a much less expensive way to repair/patch the old tanks. The cracks were still relatively thin at this point and only around 3-4 inches long. Seem a shame to gun the whole tank over them.
What is Plasti-Mend?
Plasti-Mend is a specially formulated mix of plastic resins and solvents designed to repair ABS based RV holding tanks. These are usually the black ones you see used for gray and black water. Not the clear or whitish looking ones traditionally used for fresh water. They are Polyethylene plastic, and Plasti-Mend won’t work.
Patching the Tank with Plasti-Mend
First thing I did was clean the whole area in and around the tank cracks with Simple Green Cleaner. I then used the included Scotch-Brite scrubber pad to rough up the ABS plastic surface.
Plasti-Mend RV Tank Repair Video
Once the Plasti-Mend patch had dried entirely a few days later, I tried filling the waste tanks. No leaks! I have to say I’m pleased with the repair; it was an inexpensive, easy fix for the cracked waste tanks. I’m glad I didn’t need to pull the tanks and hope the repair will last.
