2 Small leaks at pvc ball valve union, Help me please.

Hello, I've been playing with my sump design for a long time and today I finally got everything finished and plumbed together which took me a long time, since early morning. This is my very first time (at age of 30) plumbing any PVC, and as such it wasn't perfect.

I have a ball valve that's got 2 pin hole leaks where it was glued. They are quite fast, about 1 drop every 4 seconds probably because it's overflow and there's no pressure.

I applied PVC primer to the two sections to be glued, and when it dried, I applied PVC cement, slid the piece in and twisted 1/4 turn. Then held for 45 seconds.

I've read some people have successfully fixed these types of leaks with Gorilla Glue.

I can't spend any more money right now. As many know here, I was laid off 3 months ago, and this was a major money investment for my tank. So I would rather fix it, even if it's temporary fix, until I can make some more money to fix it properly by replacing the parts which I know is the only way to definitely fix it. BUT, for the moment, I need something fast and cheap.

I have Gorilla Glue. How do I try that? Do I just put it in the joint where the leaks are and that's it?

How long do I wait until I can turn my sump on?

Any input is greatly appreciated. Even if it's a thought, or Idea. I just need some help really bad!

Thank you in advance.

 

IMO to have it done properly need to cut out the ball valve and add couplings with a new ball valve....

Thats what I would do. PVC fittings and pipe is not costly.

 

Is the valve to control flow to a fuge? If it's in the drain line to the intake area of your sump you dont even need it and can cut it out and plumb a coupler in.

 

It is the drain line from my overflow box.

The problem is that right now I'm really, really bad with money and even though I know for a fact I'll have to re-do the connections to fix it properly, I'm hoping I can "Patch" it some way and gain a week or two until I get paid from my part time job.

Right now I pushed some Gorilla glue in the 2 parts where it leaks, but I know this glue is activated by water. Do I leave it off or turn it back on to make the glue have contact with water.

These leaks would probably get clogged with salt in a matter of days, but I can't wait that much

This is very frustrating after so much planning and spending. I really can't spend any more money on it as of right now.

- Mag.

 

I don't know about the gorilla glue unless it's thier superglue. If you can get some weldon 16 that would be good. Another thing you could try is taking the section of pipe off of the overflow and use q-tips to apply more primer and glue to the entire joint seam. It may take a few coats but the qtip will eventually push enough glue into the leaking spots to plug them up. That's about all I've got sorry.

 

Also the gorilla glue wood glue isnt activated by water. The little bit of water used is just to swell the grain in the wood for better penetration and bonding.

 

I see. I like the idea of more primer and PVC glue. I don't have weldon 16, but if I'm correct this will also melt the PVC just like the PVC cement, only that may be stronger?

Thanks for the help reefsparky. If this gorilla glue does not work, I'll try the primer + cement method.

Any other thoughts, ideas, anybody?

 

lol yeah....

 

OoOoOps !!! My bad!

Please, accept my apologies, reephmonkey

 

since there isnt alot of pressure and it only a temp fix try some aquarium silicone. Thats what I use on a stock tank leak with the same probalem and it was hooked up to a 2200gph pump and Its help up