Bulkhead drain leak, can’t get it to stop?

[NancyFish]

Can’t get the drip to stop on my main drain bulkhead, near the outside nut/thread under the overflow box. Are some just a lost cause? Tips?

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I must have been tinkering with it all morning and reading threads. I reseated the bulkhead 2-3 times but I can’t take it all the way out since it’s glued to the pipe.

I tried all different tightness. I tried hand tightening it as tight as I could get it (two hands and feared cracking) and it definitely slowed but the drops still come consistently. It’s tighter than the other 5 bulkheads I have in the system for sure.

The pipe has some plumbing tenison but not much from plumbing, my middle pipe which isnt leaking has more tension and is less tight.

 

[PharmrJohn]

Don't know too much about these, but it seems like there should be a gasket. If so, what does that look like? Maybe some sand caught up in it?

 

[Arkayology]

Can’t get the drip to stop on my main drain bulkhead, near the outside nut/thread under the overflow box. Are some just a lost cause? Tips?

—

I must have been tinkering with it all morning and reading threads. I reseated the bulkhead 2-3 times but I can’t take it all the way out since it’s glued to the pipe.

I tried all different tightness. I tried hand tightening it as tight as I could get it (two hands and feared cracking) and it definitely slowed but the drops still come consistently. It’s tighter than the other 5 bulkheads I have in the system for sure.

The pipe has some plumbing tenison but not much from plumbing, my middle pipe which isnt leaking has more tension and is less tight.

Is it dripping from where the pipe that connects to the bulkhead or from the gasket that seals the bulkhead against the tank? If it is coming from the gasket at the tank you could try some silicone-based lubricant (like Super Lube Silicone Lubricating Grease) to help seal it.

 

[CrabMech]

In my experience bulkhead fitting leaks are usually either a defective gasket or some kind of debris between the gasket and tank or the gasket and the fitting. I would install a new gasket, making sure that the fitting and the tank are both clean and free of any kind of debris, burrs, etc, before re-installing. Gaskets can get hard and inflexible over time, this invites leaks especially if you are attempting to re-use an old gasket.

 

[NancyFish]

Don't know too much about these, but it seems like there should be a gasket. If so, what does that look like? Maybe some sand caught up in it?

It’s a brand new system so no sand or salt anywhere.. everything is running well except one drain that I can’t figure out. The gasket is on the wet side, the nut is outside against the overflow box.

 

[NancyFish]

Is it dripping from where the pipe that connects to the bulkhead or from the gasket that seals the bulkhead against the tank? If it is coming from the gasket at the tank you could try some silicone-based lubricant (like Super Lube Silicone Lubricating Grease) to help seal it.

I read a few threads suggested that but wasn’t sure if it’s like a bandaid, I really don’t want a leak down the line. Have you personally used it?

 

[NancyFish]

In my experience bulkhead fitting leaks are usually either a defective gasket or some kind of debris between the gasket and tank or the gasket and the fitting. I would install a new gasket, making sure that the fitting and the tank are both clean and free of any kind of debris, burrs, etc, before re-installing. Gaskets can get hard and inflexible over time, this invites leaks especially if you are attempting to re-use an old gasket.

The gasket and the overflow and the tank are brand new. I’m just running a leak test.

I can’t replace the gasket even if I wanted to without totally tossing my whole drain pipe since it’s glued in place. I can loosen the nut and lift up on the pipe to reseat it but the union on the pipe glued to its bottom won’t allow it to come out without cutting.

Any tips when they’re new?

 

[Arkayology]

I read a few threads suggested that but wasn’t sure if it’s like a bandaid, I really don’t want a leak down the line. Have you personally used it?

I've used it on my current tank to stop a 1 drop/min leak at the gasket as well as my previous tank. It's good to use as a precautionary measure too. I can't be there in person to see if there is something seriously wrong with your gasket, bulkhead, or how it is seating, but this has worked for me in the past with no bad effects down the road.

 

[NancyFish]

I've used it on my current tank to stop a 1 drop/min leak at the gasket as well as my previous tank. It's good to use as a precautionary measure too. I can't be there in person to see if there is something seriously wrong with your gasket, bulkhead, or how it is seating, but this has worked for me in the past with no bad effects down the road.

The down the road is what I was worried about. I can’t imagine anything is wrong with anything - they’re all new and the gaskets looked great, no bumps or ridges.. but now that it’s cemented in, I can’t really see it, I can only lift it up about 5” while inside the overflow box

 

[dedragon]

I can’t replace the gasket even if I wanted to without totally tossing my whole drain pipe since it’s glued in place. I can loosen the nut and lift up on the pipe to reseat it but the union on the pipe glued to its bottom won’t allow it to come out without cutting.

This sounds like a gasket issue and it doesnt seem like there is going to be any other way to get to it

 

[NancyFish]

This sounds like a gasket issue and it doesnt seem like there is going to be any other way to get to it

I might try the lubricant grease and if that doesn’t solve it then toss the pipe. I’ve played with it so much I can’t imagine what else I can do to stop it (without dismantling like your saying).

 

[PharmrJohn]

Just curious. I've never dealt with a bulkhead drilled into a tank before. Is there a way to plumb the piping without using glue? Perhaps a connector of sorts. The last time I plumbed a tank (using a CPR overflow) it was all about gluing and praying there wasn't a leak. The reasoning behind my ask is that I'd like to avoid this sort of situation.

 

[NancyFish]

Just curious. I've never dealt with a bulkhead drilled into a tank before. Is there a way to plumb the piping without using glue? Perhaps a connector of sorts. The last time I plumbed a tank (using a CPR overflow) it was all about gluing and praying there wasn't a leak. The reasoning behind my ask is that I'd like to avoid this sort of situation.

This is my first time plumbing a tank. I drilled the holes, the bulkhead came reattached to the internal box but they had a pvc slipped in - I didn’t glue.. and had gaskets inside and needdd one outside the tank. That hasn’t leaked.

My other bulkheads for the drains, I had to abs to pvc cement those to my pipes. My current leak though is coming down my threads from where the nut tightens the bulkhead and gasket into the overflow box. So basically it’s not the plumbing or cement, something is off with the bulkhead. And I can’t remove it since my pipes are cemented to the outside of the bulkhead bottom.

If you are cementing make sure your using a primer unless you use an all in one, and be slightly generous otherwise it’s hard to bottom out if your not fast. And your bulkheads aren’t typically pvc so they need special cement.

 

[BeanAnimal]

The gasket goes on the flange side. There is no gasket in the nut side.

 

[Reefer Matt]

I had two of mine loosen up and leak recently. I used a pair of channelock pliers and very gently and slowly snugged them up. I have stripped some out in the past and had to redo the plumbing, so caution is definitely suggested. There are also 3d printed wrenches for them now that may be better so it doesn’t get overtightened.

 

[CrabMech]

Just curious. I've never dealt with a bulkhead drilled into a tank before. Is there a way to plumb the piping without using glue? Perhaps a connector of sorts. The last time I plumbed a tank (using a CPR overflow) it was all about gluing and praying there wasn't a leak. The reasoning behind my ask is that I'd like to avoid this sort of situation.

There are different types of bulkhead fittings. Some have solvent weld (glue) fittings on both sides, some have threads on one end and a glue fitting on the other, some have threads on both sides. It's possible to order whichever type you prefer. If you want a glueless bulkhead fitting you can get one with threads on both sides.

 

[NancyFish]

The gasket goes on the flange side. There is no gasket in the nut side.

That solved my first leak between the tank and overflow. Now I have another in one of my drain bulkheads coming down the bottom of the box by the nut / threads.

 

[PharmrJohn]

There are different types of bulkhead fittings. Some have solvent weld (glue) fittings on both sides, some have threads on one end and a glue fitting on the other, some have threads on both sides. It's possible to order whichever type you prefer. If you want a glueless bulkhead fitting you can get one with threads on both sides.

Cool. That's good to know. Thanks man.

 

[Kfactor]

make sure the gasket is on the right way one side has ribs and one side is smooth

 

[NancyFish]

I had two of mine loosen up and leak recently. I used a pair of channelock pliers and very gently and slowly snugged them up. I have stripped some out in the past and had to redo the plumbing, so caution is definitely suggested. There are also 3d printed wrenches for them now that may be better so it doesn’t get overtightened.

How can you tell if you stripped it, is it obvious? I’m kinda worried I’m going to ruin the bulkhead even though it’s new with how much I’m tugging on it and retreading.

It’s just driving me nuts, all the other bulkheads are fine, I can’t figure it out. I even took off the end of the pipe so no weight pulling on it and it’s still dripping - so it has to just be the gasket or nut - both of which I’d have to totally replace the whole pipe (bulkhead, sump fitting, gate valve, union - unless I try cutting somewhere. to try this again