Flex Seal Spray

BaleKlocoon · 02/24/2018, 12:47 PM

I'm hoping I didn't just screw up big time. I had a very slow leak in my drain line where my male threaded coupler joins with the female threads of my union. I sprayed this area, on the outside of the pvc, with flex seal liquid rubber in a can. Now I'm reading this is not recommended for potable water, so it is probably not safe for the aquarium. Should I be worried about this? It is on the outside of the pvc and it was a very slow drip leak, so very little water will come in contact with the stuff. Let me know your opinion. I really don't want to rebuild my drain line.

windlasher · 02/24/2018, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaleKlocoon

I'm hoping I didn't just screw up big time. I had a very slow leak in my drain line where my male threaded coupler joins with the female threads of my union. I sprayed this area, on the outside of the pvc, with flex seal liquid rubber in a can. Now I'm reading this is not recommended for potable water, so it is probably not safe for the aquarium. Should I be worried about this? It is on the outside of the pvc and it was a very slow drip leak, so very little water will come in contact with the stuff. Let me know your opinion. I really don't want to rebuild my drain line.

You are probably fine since it was a slow leak but Temp fixes like that are usually not a great idea because if it fails later it will probably be worse. If it were my tank, I would go buy some more PVC and make a new one if you used a lot or spray. Also, did you use plumbers tape when you threaded them together? If not, that's where your leak was from and a roll of tape is about 45 cents. Easy fix. The white tape is potable, the yellow tape is for gas and the pink tape is for either just a hell of a lot thicker. Really, in this case, any of them will do.

BaleKlocoon · 02/24/2018, 02:19 PM

I didn't use any plumbers tape. I didn't realize that was a thing. Oops.

BaleKlocoon · 02/24/2018, 02:44 PM

Not sure I'm going to be able to easily take this apart after the flex seal cures. I plan on eventually replacing the entire drain line I'm just concerned about poisoning my tank short term.

mcgyvr · 02/24/2018, 03:37 PM

Its fine.. I'm sure I've seen other posts of people using it for temporary repairs without any issue..

BUT despite the advice above.. teflon tape should not be used on threaded plastic fittings.. You should use a non-hardening thread sealant paste specifically intended for PVC instead. (easily available where PVC fittings are sold)..
Teflon tape (plumbers tape) is for metallic threads only..

billdogg · 02/24/2018, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Its fine.. I'm sure I've seen other posts of people using it for temporary repairs without any issue..

BUT despite the advice above.. teflon tape should not be used on threaded plastic fittings.. You should use a non-hardening thread sealant paste specifically intended for PVC instead. (easily available where PVC fittings are sold)..
Teflon tape (plumbers tape) is for metallic threads only..

^^^yes^^^

Again

water is wet · 02/24/2018, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Its fine.. I'm sure I've seen other posts of people using it for temporary repairs without any issue..

BUT despite the advice above.. teflon tape should not be used on threaded plastic fittings.. You should use a non-hardening thread sealant paste specifically intended for PVC instead. (easily available where PVC fittings are sold)..
Teflon tape (plumbers tape) is for metallic threads only..

I've heard this before but have never know why you aren't suppose to use it on pvc. Why not? That's all I've ever used with no ill effects.

windlasher · 02/24/2018, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Its fine.. I'm sure I've seen other posts of people using it for temporary repairs without any issue..

BUT despite the advice above.. teflon tape should not be used on threaded plastic fittings.. You should use a non-hardening thread sealant paste specifically intended for PVC instead. (easily available where PVC fittings are sold)..
Teflon tape (plumbers tape) is for metallic threads only..

Could be - Didn't know that. Been using it on my tanks for years and never had a problem. Less messy so, gonna keep using it.

windlasher · 02/24/2018, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by water is wet

I've heard this before but have never know why you aren't suppose to use it on pvc. Why not? That's all I've ever used with no ill effects.

That's what I'm saying.... I'm betting 90% of the people in fish keeping are using it as well. Less messy.

windlasher · 02/24/2018, 09:23 PM

So, quick google search yields the following:

Don't use Teflon tape, Teflon paste or pipe dope. Do use a sealant.

Teflon tape, Teflon paste and pipe dope is intended for metal pipe and fittings. Metal to metal fitting joints are more difficult to tighten than plastic; the surfaces tend to gall without the aid of such lubricants as Teflon or pipe dope. Plastic fittings do not need this lubrication.

When Teflon tape is wrapped around plastic male threads it adds to the strain and tensile stress. The tendency of most installers is to incorrectly wrap several thickness of tape around the male threads, increasing stain and stress further.

Teflon paste and pipe dope, just like Teflon tape, make threaded joints slippery. Their use on PVC fittings can be an invitation to over-torque.

------

That said, Still gonna keep using it. There does not appear to be a downside as far as toxicity or failure or if it may work or not work, just that it can be misapplied or over torqued. Since I know that I will probably change something out sooner or later, I never over tighten.

windlasher · 02/24/2018, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by water is wet

I've heard this before but have never know why you aren't suppose to use it on pvc. Why not? That's all I've ever used with no ill effects.

See post above. - googled it. They are right, to a point.

mcgyvr · 02/25/2018, 07:33 AM

yep.. your post #10 covers it well..

BaleKlocoon · 02/25/2018, 12:16 PM

Well, now my gate valve started leaking also. It's a used gate valve that was thrown in with the tank and sump I bought from Craigslist. Looks like I'm rebuilding my drain line afterall. It started leaking from the top where the knob comes out. Don't think flex seal is going to fix that. Thanks for the responses everyone.

02/24/2018, 03:37 PM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Its fine.. I'm sure I've seen other posts of people using it for temporary repairs without any issue.. BUT despite the advice above.. teflon tape should not be used on threaded plastic fittings.. You should use a non-hardening thread sealant paste specifically intended for PVC instead. (easily available where PVC fittings are sold).. Teflon tape (plumbers tape) is for metallic threads only.. __________________ Who me?

02/25/2018, 07:33 AM	#12
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	yep.. your post #10 covers it well.. __________________ Who me?

02/24/2018, 12:47 PM	#1
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	Flex Seal Spray I'm hoping I didn't just screw up big time. I had a very slow leak in my drain line where my male threaded coupler joins with the female threads of my union. I sprayed this area, on the outside of the pvc, with flex seal liquid rubber in a can. Now I'm reading this is not recommended for potable water, so it is probably not safe for the aquarium. Should I be worried about this? It is on the outside of the pvc and it was a very slow drip leak, so very little water will come in contact with the stuff. Let me know your opinion. I really don't want to rebuild my drain line.

02/24/2018, 02:19 PM	#3
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	I didn't use any plumbers tape. I didn't realize that was a thing. Oops.

02/24/2018, 02:44 PM	#4
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	Not sure I'm going to be able to easily take this apart after the flex seal cures. I plan on eventually replacing the entire drain line I'm just concerned about poisoning my tank short term.

02/24/2018, 09:23 PM	#10
windlasher Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 504	So, quick google search yields the following: Don't use Teflon tape, Teflon paste or pipe dope. Do use a sealant. Teflon tape, Teflon paste and pipe dope is intended for metal pipe and fittings. Metal to metal fitting joints are more difficult to tighten than plastic; the surfaces tend to gall without the aid of such lubricants as Teflon or pipe dope. Plastic fittings do not need this lubrication. When Teflon tape is wrapped around plastic male threads it adds to the strain and tensile stress. The tendency of most installers is to incorrectly wrap several thickness of tape around the male threads, increasing stain and stress further. Teflon paste and pipe dope, just like Teflon tape, make threaded joints slippery. Their use on PVC fittings can be an invitation to over-torque. ------ That said, Still gonna keep using it. There does not appear to be a downside as far as toxicity or failure or if it may work or not work, just that it can be misapplied or over torqued. Since I know that I will probably change something out sooner or later, I never over tighten. __________________ --- PLEASE HELP SAVE THE DOLPHINS In case we run out of chicken. ---

02/25/2018, 12:16 PM	#13
BaleKlocoon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 125	Well, now my gate valve started leaking also. It's a used gate valve that was thrown in with the tank and sump I bought from Craigslist. Looks like I'm rebuilding my drain line afterall. It started leaking from the top where the knob comes out. Don't think flex seal is going to fix that. Thanks for the responses everyone.