Hi. I need help in fixing a puncture on one of my retic tubes. Any advice is highly appreciated. Thanking you in advance.
Regards,
Izzy
Hello @Izzy78
I suggest using Tommy Tape 25mm x 3m Clear Self-Fusing Silicone Tape. But before applying the sealing tape, I suggest cleaning the pipe with detergent and water and scrubbing the pipe clean. Once it is totally dry you then can apply the tape to the leak. It will take a few rounds of it and make sure to pull the tape to activate it when placing it over itself.
If you need further assistance, please let us know.
Eric
Thanks for your prompt reply Eric.
Hi @EricL
Thats a new product to me that sounds good 🙂 I learnt something new today.
Hi Eric,
I must be doing something wrong. I have gone round the damaged pipe 6 to 7 rounds and left it overnight. When I turned on my retic, water was bursting out from the same hole.
I'm sorry to hear the tape did not work for you. If you have some of the tape left, I suggest giving it one more try, but this time I recommend pulling the tape hard immediately as you wind it around the pipe, continue to pull hard so that the tape will bind itself together. Don't let go of the pressure until the hole is fully sealed.
However, if the tape does not work out, I suggest unscrewing the pop-out riser and measuring the diameter of the pipe. In order to repair it correctly you'll need to put in for example a Holman 15mm PVC Coupling. The pipe will need to be cut and the coupler placed between them. I recommend using Protek 125ml Type P Green PVC Cement For High-Pressure Pipes. Please make sure to sand the body of the cut ends and the interior of the coupler to remove the glossy finish on them. This will allow the glue to anchor onto the plastic body.
Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your sprinkler system leak free.
Good morning @Izzy78
Now, I'm just an amateur plumber and student of hydrodynamics, but I have had some success with this method in occluding pin-holes in water mains pressure pipe.
However I do admit there is a lot of trial and error in punching out the 'perfect' piece of rubber in thickness and diameter. Bunnings have an excellent source/variety of rubber for sale.
Once you have the perfect piece of rubber you can adhere it to the hole with silicone or maybe a piece of that tape @EricL has suggested and then cover it with a cut partial piece of PVC pipe shown below - and then strongly clamp....but not too strongly.
Just another suggestion/method
Hi @Izzy78 and @Noyade
I didnt want to mention this initially I though the tape solution was going to nail the problem if it is stretched like @EricL said and it still might.
I slap on a thick coat of pvc plumers glue to and around to pipe with the hole.
i use a 100 to 150mmm bigger if hole bigger section of the original pipe and cut a thin slot usually with a hand saw length ways. Then cut off two little angled .tabs to make a V shape used to press on the pipe to be repaired as the v is pressed down the slot opens up expending open the repair pipe and swallows the damaged pipe closing with a snap
I open the pipe with the slot just enough to push it over the damaged pipe turning the slot opposite position to the hole and letting the whole repaired section snap around the old pipe with the slot 180 degrees away from the hole.
I have used this several times in low pressure pipes especially if hole is on the top or side. If a Bunnings is not near by for repair coulpling. Please note the repair section of pipe is no longer 100% round but slightly elongated and the glue must be thick enough to fill a slight void.
Quick PVC pipe repair low pressure systems.
Hi all. I would like to express my deepest thanks and appreciation to all of you. I have managed to fix it by using a combination of all suggestions above as seen in attached pic.
Great work @Izzy78! Thank you for sharing your success with us and for taking the time to give credit to the helpful suggestions provided by the community.
We are always here to help and are glad to have been able to assist you. Please don't ever hesitate to reach out if you have any future questions or need further assistance.
Mitchell
Its done and fixed @Izzy78
Great work..
Consider spray painting those shiny new hose clamps with galvanised zinc spray paint or use any paint to slow corrosion down or stop it so you wont have to revisit this repair into the near future 5 to 6 years.
These answers are so complicated (in store too busy to help.properly)..I found an answer on a US site...little plugs. Back to the big green shed tomorrow!
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Coulinjo. It's great to have you join us and wonderful to see you jump into the discussion.
You might like to post some images of the damage to your pipe so our helpful members can provide some suggestions for repairing it. Let me know if you need a hand posting an image.
It sounds like you might be mentioning these irrigation repair plugs. They are designed to fill the circular holes left when removing sprayers from poly pipe, so you'd have limited luck trying to use them on general punctures. @Izzy78's pipe is also PVC and not a poly pipe, so these plugs won't work on it.
If they look like they'd work on your hole, I'd certainly encourage you to give them a go. If it's a tiny puncture, then you might like to open the hole up with a punch spanner as it will create the appropriate-sized hole to accept the plug.
Please let us know how you go and if you have any questions.
Morning. @Coulinjo
"I found an answer on a US site...little plugs"
I would like to see that site - thanks!
Hi all, worked a charm. Good advice all round. Love your work!
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @RyanCousins. It's marvellous to have you join us, and terrific to hear that the information provided here resolved your issue.Great work fixing your leak. We look forward to hearing all about your project and plans around the home and garden. Feel free to reach out whenever you need assistance with a project or have something to share with the community.Mitchell
