Hole in grey water tank

My first thought would be a stainless steel sheet metal screw. Make sure the screw is slightly larger than the hole (at least enough so that the threads will hold). Put a blob of sealant on the screw, screw it into the hole.

From what I have read, most grey tanks are made from polyethylene or ABS. Both can easily be welded, so if you have to drill a 1/4" hole it should be an easy fix with either a mechanical plug or buying a plastic welder. The Harbor Freight one that looks like a soldering iron with a big triangular tip is what I would use.

The process is to melt at the hole so new material will bond, then melt in some stainless mesh, then top cover with a bunch more material. If you weld well and get good penetration, it will be better than new because of the steel reinforcement you add.

Jose

A jack and a board will fix that part of the problem with much less follow up.

TomG2 wrote:
I guess I am not explaining it enough. The far end of the tank has dropped below the valve. I could remove the valve or sit and look at it, but the water is not going to exit uphill. I need to remove enough weight to allow me to raise the tank back up so that it will dump out the valve. It is too heavy and I do not have my floor jack handy. I can bench press over two hundred pounds but not with one hand while I strap or block the tank up to a dumping elevation.

I have a choice of draining the tank or lifting it as is. I am choosing to drain it. The valve is not stuck, it is above the level of liquid in the tank. I will drill a hole, drain the liquid, and plug the hole with a plastic plug and sealant. That is the best advice that I have been given.

Holy******I am confused. Help me at this late hour, understand.

The valve is ok? Not stuck? So what's the problem?

Tom,
You know best with your situation. We are just trying to help without seeing your issue.. May I add that since you stated the unit is under warranty, have you contacted the MFGR.to get approval for this procedure so as not to void the warranty?

A boat plug works fine. seen it done many times on non warrantied tanks

ABS I recommend Plasti-Mend.

Polyethylene I would try the screw and sealant.

Maybe this but no experience:
http://www.plentypupule.com/weldkit.htm

I guess I am not explaining it enough. The far end of the tank has dropped below the valve. I could remove the valve or sit and look at it, but the water is not going to exit uphill. I need to remove enough weight to allow me to raise the tank back up so that it will dump out the valve. It is too heavy and I do not have my floor jack handy. I can bench press over two hundred pounds but not with one hand while I strap or block the tank up to a dumping elevation.

I have a choice of draining the tank or lifting it as is. I am choosing to drain it. The valve is not stuck, it is above the level of liquid in the tank. I will drill a hole, drain the liquid, and plug the hole with a plastic plug and sealant. That is the best advice that I have been given.

I agree with the majority...remove the valve and it will drain...then replace the valve.

If I "accidently" drilled a 1/4" hole in the tank, my first thought would be to plug it with a short length bolt and some epoxy to seal and adhere it.

Now, reality is, I have never done this and never so much as Google'd it before. So there may be better ways to plug a 1/4 hole in a plastic tank, but I provided my first thought. Good luck!

If the valve is below the tank and is accessible, it makes sense to either operate the stuck valve manually or take two or so bolts loose so the tank drains. If there is a pipe between the valve and the tank, I'd cut the pipe or drill it as it's a lot easier to repair a pipe than a tank.

I'm still not sure I understand what's going on. Why not just remove the gray valve. Its just four bolts.