15 replies to this topic

[Raj Man]

I recently finished my first homemade ball valve gun. Sadly, it has 2 or 3 significant leaks. It still barely pressurizes, though, and I can still shoot a stefan 40 ft. or so off of the very limited psi. I need a way to fix these leaks so I can actually pressurize the gun to a decent psi and get my 100 ft. ranges. I tried duct tape already, and it only helped slightly reduce the leaking, if at all. So, my final question is this: What should I use to seal the leaks?

I will post pictures in this thread if necessary to seal the leak. Thanks!

[KBarker]

Try brushing soapy water on the joints, then lightly pressurizing it. Where you see bubbles, that is a leak. Mark these points, then clean off the PVC and apply epoxy.

[Retiate]

I like using Plumbers Goop for fixing leaks. I think it works better than epoxy because it adheres differently, it's not like cement when it dries. Plus it'll stick to your PVC real well, but so will epoxy.

[Raj Man]

Ok. Thanks guys. I was going to get plumber's goop originally, then switched to gorilla glue, which is leaking like hell. The pvc cement and primer is also, miraculously, leaking at one joint. I think I know the locations of the leaks already, so I wont have to "bubble-locate" them. In which section should I look for plumber's goop at home depot?

Edited by Raj Man, 20 February 2007 - 10:41 AM.

[PvtMcFlurry]

In which section should I look for plumber's goop at home depot?

Plumbing supplies...

[Raj Man]

*stupid*

Oh yeah....stupid me. Hehehe.

[Dangaard]

I would check the adhesive section actually.

[Raj Man]

I would check the adhesive section actually.

Yeah, when I went yesterday I found it in adhesives. Thanks. I just sealed the leaks last night. How long should I wait for the goop to cure? The bottle says 2-3 days, but isn't that a little excessive? I should have pictures as soon as it's cured and I can test it.

[Retiate]

I'd wait at least 24 hours. That's how long I wait when I'm gooping things. It's pretty much cured by then.

[Raj Man]

Ok, thanks. Can I pressurize after 24 hours, or is it just dried?

[Retiate]

I think so. With my Magstrike, I waited 24 hours then checked to see if it still leaked. The goop held as far as I could tell.

[Raj Man]

I just tested. It's down to only one leak now! Yay! I re-plumber's gooped that joint just now. I just hope that the second layer of goop won't leak like the first.

Edited by Raj Man, 21 February 2007 - 11:16 PM.

[Langley]

If you're joining PVC, the best way to prevent leaks is to use PVC Primer and Cement. You can find the jars in the plumbing section of your hardware store, and they usually come in two-packs of the purple primer and clear cement. You have to let it cure for 24 hours, but it makes the two pieces fuse together and form one piece of PVC. On the rare occasion I've had problems with PVC cement, usually due to there being paint or scratches on the pieces I joined, a little hotglue over the leak worked pretty well.

[Prometheus]

I've had some touble using hot glue to seal leaks, especially with higher psi, as it generally does not bond very well with the materials used. I made a prototype pvc air tank, and I used plumber's goop for pvc. I let it cure for mebb 24-30 hours, I dunno how long exactly, maybe I left it two days. You're better playing it safe. I took the tank up to 70 psi with my bike pump, and no problems at all. Just make sure you get the adhesive all the way around, and your probably better using too much than not enough, because although it might take longer to dry, you are still getting that extra good bonding, which results in no leaks.

[CaptainSlug]

[Grenado]

If you need something really strong, I use automotive Goop.