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voodoo101's avatar
voodoo101
Explorer
May 09, 2023

Gray water joint leak

I have two gray tanks, so dump lines from each to the main dump. One of the lines leaks at the joint where it enters the main dump. Just a drip but not nice to have a puddle there. I have tried the Flex seal rubber and it still drips. Spent a bunch of time removing that and applying JB Weld water weld. Drips worse. The pipes are black and I assume they are ABS. If ABS, can the joint be disassembled and resealed? Or is it permanent like PVC? Will the whole dump assemble need to be replaced? Thanks in advance. Bill
  • The pipes are plain old ABS that you can buy at Home Depot or Lowes. Just cut out the leak and replace with some new pipe and fittings.

    You might need to cut off and remove all the downstream section. Then replace the leaky piece and use a standard coupler to glue the cutoff downstream section back in.

    If the leak is where the round pipe converts to a square plate for the dump valve you might need to buy a new square piece to glue in from an RV shop.

    To answer your question both ABS and PVC can technically be dissembled and reglued. But it's way way more hassle than just cutting the part out and gluing a new piece in.
  • Assuming black ABS pipe then look here:
    ABS repair

    JB Weld Plastic Putty claims it works on ABS

    QWhat ever you use clean the joint with solvent, I'd try the 91% Isopropyl Alcohol that is so common lately
  • Buy an inexpensive toilet wax ring and press into the leaking joint all around. If it stops the leak clean the excess wax off and apply ABS glue directly over the joint a couple times.
  • get some thick ABS cement, and a piece of ABS pipe. Use a horse shoe file and make a pile of shavings of the abs. Mix it in the ABS cement to make a pretty thick mixture. Then clean the ABS joint with alcohol and make sure it is completely dry. Then do a final clean with MEK, or Acetone.

    spread the mixture of home made thick ABS cement on the joint, let it dry, repeat a couple of times to build it up. Wear disposable gloves when you do this and if needed spread the ABS cement with your finger.

    You could use just straight ABS cement just takes longer to build up and fix the joint, Your solvent welding so in addition to sealing the leak, it is welding and strengthing the joint.
  • Thanks to all who have offered great advice. I think I finally got it with an epoxy product called SEAL-N-PLACE By Versachem. Holding fine. Will see if it colds up on the road vibrations. Regards, Bill

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