Can you fix a uniseal stuff up?

MaccaPopEye · Aug 30, 2018

This afternoon I went to install some 32mm uniseals in some blue 55gal drums that I'll be using for water collection / storage.

I followed the instructions that came with the uniseals and used a 51mm hole saw to make the holes.

But the hole is too big! Stupidly I drilled BOTH drums before I checked the fit :( (figured I didn't have to check as I was following the instructions exactly).

The hole is probably only 5mm too wide, is there anything I could use to either bulk up the seal part of the uniseal or glue the uniseal on (or both)?

I'd rather not have to get new drums as they can be hard to find where I live :(

TheEngineer · Aug 30, 2018

Yikes. You could try and seal the hole from the inside, but that's be hard to get a good permanent seal. Can you get bigger uniseals?

Dr. Reef · Aug 30, 2018

you can patch the hole from inside then once its set drill it the right size. or buy a bulkhead for the size and go that route.

MaccaPopEye · Aug 30, 2018

Thanks for the suggestions.

The drums only have a tiny opening at the top, can't even get my hand in there so patching from the inside is out.

I assumed this would be the case but was hoping someone might have some nifty trick. Larger uniseals + shipping would be more expensive than new drums (easier to find though).

Looks like I'll be on the look out for new drums :/ if I can't find any in a few weeks then I'll order some larger uniseals

George Lopez · Aug 30, 2018

Have you tried pushing the pipe in and seeing if it seals?

MaccaPopEye · Aug 30, 2018

George Lopez said:
Have you tried pushing the pipe in and seeing if it seals?

Yup. Even with the pipe in it there is still about a 1mm gap (maybe just under). The uniseal & pipe don't fall out, but they wiggle around and are well and truly far from water tight.

I'm quite ticked off at the instructions the manufacturer supplied, I'll be letting them know about it for sure. I've double checked the instructions (they say to use a 51mm hole saw for a 32mm uniseal) and my hole saw (definitely 51mm diameter). And the uniseals are definitely for 32mm PVC pipe.