Leaky wooden barrels

Last post 29-06-2007 2:03 PM by sue1002. 5 replies.

• 19/06/2007 04:51 PM

  Helen Bostock Plantsforbugs Location: Wisley Joined on: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 547

  Reply | Contact In the spring I bought a couple of really huge old wooden whisky barrels. One even had a bit of whisky left in so they're definitely authentic! They were plumbed into my rainwater down pipes and after a massive rainstorm they both filled to the top. One leaked a little around the old bung but then stopped. However, the other leaked from between the wooden panels near the bottom and has been steadily dripping ever since. Will this barrel ever swell to be water tight or is there a way I can seal it (bearing in mind there is no access to the inside of the barrel)? Helen Bostock

• 19/06/2007 05:19 PM

  In reply to

  sue1002 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk Joined on: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 9,503

  Reply | Contact Did you drink the whisky? You would have to wait until the barrels are empty and then you could use kitchen and bathroom sealant (the type that goes in one of those sealant gun things) and run it down each piece of wood. You can get them in most DIY stores and you can also get a clear one which would be better for your purpose. We have used it on cracked greenhouse panels and it makes it watertight. sue1002

• 27/06/2007 03:22 PM	In reply to
  Helen Bostock Plantsforbugs Location: Wisley Joined on: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 547	Reply | Contact Thanks [hic] Sue. No, didn't [hic] touch a drop of the stuff [hic]! My boyfriend fits bathrooms for a living so I'm sure there'll be some clear sealant hanging around. I just wasn't sure if it would work from the outside. I'll let you know, though it doesn't look like we're getting much dry weather at the moment. Helen Bostock

• 27/06/2007 03:58 PM	In reply to
  Digger Location: Northern UK Joined on: 18 Jul 2005 Posts: 5,230	Reply | Contact Hello helen I have sent you a private message my friend digger Sage of the fells

• 29/06/2007 01:48 PM	In reply to
  Helen Bostock Plantsforbugs Location: Wisley Joined on: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 547	Reply | Contact Newsflash... I have just noticed that the water barrel has stopped leaking of its own accord. It must be full to the brim with all that rain we've had so, although its taken a good few months, it looks as though I needn't resort to sealants afterall! Helen Bostock

• 29/06/2007 02:03 PM	In reply to
  sue1002 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk Joined on: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 9,503	Reply | Contact That's good news Helen, now you might have to keep it full so it doesn't dry out and shrink again. sue1002