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Holding Tank Repair

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Last activity 2012-06-21 7:32 PM
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barrelrunner66
Reg. Oct 2010
Posted 2012-06-12 6:43 PM (#144750)
Subject: Holding Tank Repair


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Posts: 68
2525
Location: West Tennessee

Everyone's always been so kind to help me when I ask...so I wanted to take a second and share something that I have found works!

Apparently, I have an issue with grey tanks...LOL. My former trailer had an issue with one that leaked, and it took me exactly three weeks to crack my new one. Way to go, me! Anyway, a couple of recommendations. First, for a non-permanent (read: short term) repair, or a quick one on a smaller crack or puncture, I've found that JB Weld's Waterweld works freakishly well. This is good for a quick patch job and the best part is you can crawl under the trailer and patch it as it leaks. Very handy for an emergency.

My new trailer I promptly drug over a tight turn and cracked the grey tank. For this one I have found an awesome product: Plasti-Mend. It's for the black ABS tanks, which mine was. I actually drug the pipe, which wiggled and cracked the seal and created a small crack running about 1-1/2" up. With this product, you paint it on and lay mesh screen into the goop...doing this all around the seal and over the crack. Then two more coats of goop and it's done. Honestly, I was really impressed with the seal and, frankly, the ease. And for the lazy (like me), it comes with EVERYTHING you need to do the job. Brushes, screen, etc. I suggest you buy a bottle of 100% acetone for cleanup, but other than that, it's all there.

the kit also comes with a couple sheets of ABS plastic so if you have a hole you can repair it with that instead of the screen. I bought mine directly from the Plasti-mend website, but they sell one of the kits on Amazon. Looks like they even have a kit for plexiglass.

I may be the only dork out there who has this issue, but if you are a fellow dork like me, I can recommend this as a good way to hide your dorkiness (at least in this regard!)

Robin
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wowlijetgold
Reg. Jun 2012
Posted 2012-06-12 9:50 PM (#144760 - in reply to #144750)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair



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Posts: 5

Location: US,New York
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. -----------------------------RS Gold|Cheap Runescape Gold|Cheap RS Gold
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wowlijetgold
Reg. Jun 2012
Posted 2012-06-12 9:55 PM (#144762 - in reply to #144750)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair



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Posts: 5

Location: US,New York
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. -----------------------------RS Gold|Cheap Runescape Gold|Cheap RS Gold
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trot-on
Reg. Dec 2009
Posted 2012-06-12 11:16 PM (#144766 - in reply to #144750)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair


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Posts: 373
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Location: Texas
Thanks for the info. You are not the only dork. Who ever had my used trailer before me was one too. hehe

I may be placing an order for that stuff. Have not got under trailer to see how bad it is
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gard
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2012-06-13 10:04 AM (#144779 - in reply to #144750)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair


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Location: western PA

ABS tanks and fittings are also repairable using standard cleaners and glues found at hardware and big box stores. "Patches" can be made, if necessary, by cutting pieces of various profiles from available stock. The glues permanately "weld" the pieces together.

A paste can be made by using filings or the ABS "dust" from saw cuts, mixed with the glue mixture. This can then be pressed into cracks or spread around split fittings. It can work as a temporary fix until a more permant repair is made.

Polyethylene tank owners are not as fortunate, and their tanks are not as easily repaired. The original pieces were blow molded and various fittings were then welded to them. Many glues and epoxies have little effect in repair efforts. I have yet to find an adhesive that will permanately repair polyethylene, and make it as strong as the original product.

When we last installed a LQ, we used an ABS black water tank specifically considering any future repairs that might be necessary. It was a little more difficult to source, but easy to modifiy and install.

 

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trot-on
Reg. Dec 2009
Posted 2012-06-13 4:59 PM (#144789 - in reply to #144750)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair


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Location: Texas
How do we tell if we have a Polyethylene tank? Guessing that is what mine is. Been putting off crawling under there to see how they reattached the fittings with some sort of glue/plastic weld etc.

If my fittings were snapped off at the tank, is there a way to fix without replacing the whole tank? (loaded question without pictures, I know...)
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barrelrunner66
Reg. Oct 2010
Posted 2012-06-13 7:06 PM (#144793 - in reply to #144789)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair


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Posts: 68
2525
Location: West Tennessee

I can't answer the fittings question 100% but I'm sure you can reattach with this. I'd almost swear I read that in the instructions.

I can tell you that if your tank is black, it's probably ABS and the Plasti-mend Black will work. I wasn't sure so I actually sent the model number to the contact address on the website and they answered and told me it was ABS. Their website is kinda goofed up in some places (some of the links don't work in some places) but www.plasti-mend.com/products gives a listing. They also have a handy video on how to use it...it was helpful. :)<\p>

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trot-on
Reg. Dec 2009
Posted 2012-06-15 7:20 PM (#144859 - in reply to #144750)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair


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Posts: 373
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Location: Texas
Finally crawled under trailer to look at tank. It is marked Inca Plastics moulding, and when I went to their website, it seems they are Polyethylene. There is a mass of grey "goop" that someone used to repair a crack where the mold of the fitting attaches. I started to slowly remove this, to see just how bad the crack is.

They say repairs must be made with heat. Anyone does this themselves, or should I take it to the RV / trailer repair. How difficult IS this?
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gard
Reg. Aug 2007
Posted 2012-06-15 8:05 PM (#144860 - in reply to #144750)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair


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Location: western PA
The repair involves a plastic "welding" outfit. You might call the RV dealership to see if they have the necessary equippment.
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trot-on
Reg. Dec 2009
Posted 2012-06-15 9:08 PM (#144862 - in reply to #144750)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair


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Posts: 373
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Location: Texas
Hubby found a kit to do the welding on line. But I'm thinking ahead, and without dropping the tank, I'd be welding from below, "UP" to the crack that is on the bottom of the tank. We do have a good repair shop in town, but if its a DIY project, I am game, and would love to save some money. The thought of dropping tank to do this does not sound like fun, as I'm looking at all the sensor wires etc
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laira
Reg. Jun 2012
Posted 2012-06-16 4:24 AM (#144874 - in reply to #144750)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair


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Posts: 20

We use a filter between campground water tap and our RV water intake, fabric softener in the blackwater tank, and have used bleach (in small amounts) to purify water. We carry disposable gloves, waterless antibacterial soap, and a mask to use when emptying the tank.
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trot-on
Reg. Dec 2009
Posted 2012-06-17 12:39 PM (#144910 - in reply to #144750)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair


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Posts: 373
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Location: Texas
Photos of damage to the grey tanks fitting. Tanks are made by Inca plastics, and seem to be Polyethylene. Is there some sort of after market ring type fitting repair anyone has used?

Link to photos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/txtrigger/2001TrailsWest
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barrelrunner66
Reg. Oct 2010
Posted 2012-06-21 2:01 PM (#145032 - in reply to #144750)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair


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Posts: 68
2525
Location: West Tennessee

Hey, Trot-on,

I can't promise they will be able to help you, but you could try sending an email to the Plasti-Mend people. I did and they answered me back right away (within a couple hours). In fact, I did exactly what he said (which was to seal ALL THE WAY AROUND where the pipe connects into the tank). I've gotta say, I used the trailer last weekend and not a single problem. In fact, I'd venture to say it's now stronger at that connection than the other tank.

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trot-on
Reg. Dec 2009
Posted 2012-06-21 7:29 PM (#145036 - in reply to #144750)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair


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Posts: 373
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Location: Texas
Thanks! I've watched all the videos on plastic welding, and found that an old plastic battery box is also Polyethylene. So I'm gonna try my hand at fixing the grey tank (pictured). And if I find I am above my ability, I'll be sure to have someone else double check my black tank. I'm gonna practice on something other than the tank first, and have Plastic-Mends info on hand.

This will either work, or be a disaster. I'll take pictures.
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barrelrunner66
Reg. Oct 2010
Posted 2012-06-21 7:32 PM (#145037 - in reply to #145036)
Subject: RE: Holding Tank Repair


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Posts: 68
2525
Location: West Tennessee
Good Luck! Keep us posted!!!
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