Brand New Water Tank Leak

[Bad Obsession]

This early spring I installed a brand new 13.2 Plastimo bladder tank.

Yesterday I got the boat in the water, finally. I filled the water tank up and put her in the slip.

Today when I went down to the boat about half of the water tank had leaked out. The worst part is that I couldn't find the source of the water leak. I am guessing that it came from the inlet at the top of the tank because there was still a bit of water left in the tank. Had it been in the outlet the whole tank would have been gone.

The leak seems to be slow and small but annoying.

Any suggestions on how to stop this leak?

I tried tightening the fittings up more. Still, I don't really trust the tank now. Ugh!

 

[jibes138]

Did you use Teflon tape on whatever fittings connect to the tank?

 

[shemandr]

So you're saying it's only weeks old? I guess you have to look at the connections first. It would be too young to chafe thru.
If it's not the fill or drain than I guess you'd be looking at a warrantee situation.
I think you have to take it out and test it.

 

[Bad Obsession]

I didn't use Teflon Tape in the threads of the tank fittings when I installed them. I didn't see anything in the instructions about using Teflon tape that I recall.

I am thinking I am going to replace the top water hose as part of the prevention. It is an older cheap hose and I would rather go to a stronger PVC style hose. It could be the source of the leak.

About half of the tank was left when I got back to the boat. That half didn't seem to be leaking but the leak is small enough that I can't tell where it is leaking from.

I took a lot of time and did some extra stuff when I put the tank in. I lined the area with closed cell foam and a few other things. I secured it well so it wouldn't move around a lot.

Right now I think that the leak is in the inlet area. This is based on the fact that the whole tank wasn't wasted and I think that the top hose is not that good (cheap plastic type hose). It was already in the boat when I put the tank in (the hose).

I sent an email to the manufacturer. We will see how they respond and if they have any advise or any suggestions.

Now I am wondering if I should have used Teflon Tape.

 

[jibes138]

I really don't know what kind of fittings you have to the bladder tank. If they are standard pipe thread fittings then yes, it is proper practice to use teflon tape on the male threads for a proper seal. If the fittings have O-rings then you shouldn't need the tape as the O-rings make the seal. Good luck with your investigation, doing things twice is always painful but the second time goes easier because you learned what not to do the first time.

 

[Bad Obsession]

It does have O rings on the inside of the fittings.

Still haven't heard from Plastimo. I am beginning to worry that I will get the blow-off. I can't find a phone number for them on the web.

 

[woodster]

It does have O rings on the inside of the fittings.

Still haven't heard from Plastimo. I am beginning to worry that I will get the blow-off. I can't find a phone number for them on the web.

they are a french company and thats all i could find on them

 

[Bad Obsession]

I just heard from them. The email was in BROKEN English. I am still trying to figure out what they are trying to tell me, other than there is a spare part for the water bladder. I just wish they would replace the darn thing. It would be a quick fix to pull the old one and put in the new one. I could then ship the old one back to them. It would make me feel better and I could trust the tank, finally.

I am going to still replace that darn inlet hose no matter what. I should have done that from the start.

Anyone have a good source for PVC reinforced 1 1/2" hose?

 

[Ron20324]

...Anyone have a good source for PVC reinforced 1 1/2" hose?

1.5 filler hose? Crimey, how big is the tank? /// Until you find the source of the leak and use tape, I wouldn't raise too much of a fuss with the maker. As Pogo once said...