Overflow to tank bulkhead leak - how long to watch?

[NancyFish]

So one of the two bulkheads that connect through the glass is having a dripping leak - they both feel tight, everything is new. I’m kind of fearful of over tightening.

It’s like a drop every few mins. If I press on my overflow to tighten I get a few more quick drops until I release then it stops. I’m slowly tightening then checking but I don’t even know which bulkhead and I don’t want to crack anything.

How long to keep look once the drips seem clear and any other advice?

 

[GSPClown94]

Are there gaskets installed on the wet side of the bulkheads?

 

[Sumbub]

It's possible that it's already over tightened. Releasing it and reseating it could probably fix it.

 

[NancyFish]

Are there gaskets installed on the wet side of the bulkheads?

They are on the inside.

It's possible that it's already over tightened. Releasing it and reseating it could probably fix it.

So maybe instead of trying to keep tightening it, just totally take it off wipe everything down and try again?

 

[Sumbub]

They are on the inside.

So maybe instead of trying to keep tightening it, just totally take it off wipe everything down and try again?

Yeah. Usually, if you push on it and it leaks more, that means you're past the point and the rubber is deformed enough to allow the leak. releasing it will let the rubber go back to its original shape.

 

[NancyFish]

Yeah. Usually, if you push on it and it leaks more, that means you're past the point and the rubber is deformed enough to allow the leak. releasing it will let the rubber go back to its original shape.

Whatever the leak was was all trapped behind my box and has my paint bubbled everywhere. I’d like to cut it off but then the inside of my tank will have another random black square.

If I clean up around the holes is that enough or does the whole back box need a clean flat spot to sit?

 

[redfishbluefish]

Are there gaskets installed on the wet side of the bulkheads?

NO! Wet side doesn't matter. What matters with the gasket location is the flange. THE GASKET ALWAYS GOES ON THE FLANGE SIDE, regards if it's on the inside or outside of the tank. The flange with gasket is what makes the waterproof seal.

 

[JayM]

NO! Wet side doesn't matter. What matters with the gasket location is the flange. THE GASKET ALWAYS GOES ON THE FLANGE SIDE, regards if it's on the inside or outside of the tank. The flange with gasket is what makes the waterproof seal.

It appears as if the op is working with an overflow and will need two gaskets per bulkhead. I know the flange will typically be inside the tank and will have a gasket. Would the second gasket go between the overflow and the tank, or between the overflow and the bulkhead nut?

 

[GSPClown94]

NO! Wet side doesn't matter. What matters with the gasket location is the flange. THE GASKET ALWAYS GOES ON THE FLANGE SIDE, regards if it's on the inside or outside of the tank. The flange with gasket is what makes the waterproof seal.

ok

 

[redfishbluefish]

It appears as if the op is working with an overflow and he'll need two gaskets per bulkhead. I know the flange will typically be inside the tank and will have a gasket. Would the second gasket go between the overflow and the tank, or between the overflow and the bulkhead nut?

That is correct. If you're installing an overflow box, a second gasket goes between the box and the tank. Never need a gasket on the nut side....it does nothing...the water "leaks" down the treads.

 

[JayM]

That is correct. If you're installing an overflow box, a second gasket goes between the box and the tank. Never need a gasket on the nut side....it does nothing...the water "leaks" down the treads.

That's what I figured. I wonder if gaskets behind the nut was the op's issue?

 

[NancyFish]

It appears as if the op is working with an overflow and will need two gaskets per bulkhead. I know the flange will typically be inside the tank and will have a gasket. Would the second gasket go between the overflow and the tank, or between the overflow and the bulkhead nut?

That is correct. If you're installing an overflow box, a second gasket goes between the box and the tank. Never need a gasket on the nut side....it does nothing...the water "leaks" down the treads.

Okay so when I took it off I do have two gaskets - I had it where it was bulkhead flange, then gasket, then tank wall, then overflow box flush against the glass, then gasket and nut on the inside of the overflow box.

Your saying put the second gasket between the glass and the overflow box? This way both gaskets are against the glass?

Sounds like maybe that was my issue for the slow leak all behind the overflow box?

 

[NancyFish]

So I saw where the leaks coming from, it’s definitely behind the overflow box because it seeps down, but I watched this time and it was also coming in the OF box between the nut and the thread - even though it hasn’t hit the weirs yet inside.

So I’m going to try it your guys way with the gasket between the glass. I tried it one more time the way I had it after cleaning it, mainly because the way the 12”long overflow box is built it looks like it’s supposed to be flush to the glass for stability..

I have to wait awhile in between each time because the latex paint I used for the back totally blows up with each minor leak. My glass his barely any scalloping from cut out, and everything is new so I’m hoping switching the gasket side should clear this up.

 

[Sumbub]

Maybe an idea but perhaps cutting a silhouette around the bulkhead nuts could help mitigate the leaking too. Allows a tighter fit.

 

[NancyFish]

That's what I figured. I wonder if gaskets behind the nut was the op's issue?

That is correct.

You guys were right about the gasket, I appreciate it.

Now I have a drip on my drains, not the unions but the bulkheads again. Any tips?

My trickle drain is getting one drop every other min. But my main drain is a little more steady. I reseated it twice but it’s hard since it’s cemented to the pipe after the overflow. Plus I don’t exactly want to take my overflow box off either now that that’s fixed. Here I thought drilling the holes in the tank would be the hardest part

 

[Sumbub]

are you talking about the bulkheads at the end of the drain pipes near the sump?

 

[redfishbluefish]

......

Now I have a drip on my drains, not the unions but the bulkheads again. Any tips?

Again, gasket always goes on the flange side regardless how the bulkhead is installed. The other thing you can try is an extremely light coat of silicone base plumber's grease applied to the gasket. It's made for rubber. Whatever you do, do NOT use a petroleum based lubricant.....and make sure it's a very light coat. The second thing is make sure the plumbing coming off the bulkhead is not putting any lateral forces on the bulkhead. If need be, support the plumbing so no forces are "pushing" on the bulkhead, causing it to oh so slightly angle to one side, causing a leak.

 

[NancyFish]

are you talking about the bulkheads at the end of the drain pipes near the sump?

It’s the bulkhead in the overflow box that drains into the sump but it’s not the end of it, it’s dripping where the nut tightens to the box. Not anywhere I cemented. I tried reseating it and tightening but a slow drip is consistent

 

[NancyFish]

Again, gasket always goes on the flange side regardless how the bulkhead is installed. The other thing you can try is an extremely light coat of silicone base plumber's grease applied to the gasket. It's made for rubber. Whatever you do, do NOT use a petroleum based lubricant.....and make sure it's a very light coat. The second thing is make sure the plumbing coming off the bulkhead is not putting any lateral forces on the bulkhead. If need be, support the plumbing so no forces are "pushing" on the bulkhead, causing it to oh so slightly angle to one side, causing a leak.

Something is definitely throwing it off, I tried tightening it 2-3 times tighter than my others (figured men have a tighter grip than me that I could over tighten some). And reseating it a few times. I just can’t get it right.

My secondary drain has more tension on it (from plumbing) than my main drain and that doesn’t seem to be a problem. But I could try that, only thing is this is my gate valve pipe, only way to alleviate would maybe run all flex and toss the gate valve

This is not the final location for the tank, it’ll be moved upstairs. If I use the silicone, any chance I’ll knock it out of position undoing my pipes and reconnecting them upstairs?

 

[Sumbub]

Something is definitely throwing it off, I tried tightening it 2-3 times tighter than my others (figured men have a tighter grip than me that I could over tighten some). And reseating it a few times. I just can’t get it right.

My secondary drain has more tension on it (from plumbing) than my main drain and that doesn’t seem to be a problem. But I could try that, only thing is this is my gate valve pipe, only way to alleviate would maybe run all flex and toss the gate valve

This is not the final location for the tank, it’ll be moved upstairs. If I use the silicone, any chance I’ll knock it out of position undoing my pipes and reconnecting them upstairs?

Is it currently running fully or are you filling to test leaks? Perhaps there's some debris under the bulkhead?