Broken Cooler

[Gardenboy]

Hi everyone! I have a water cooler. The tank beneath is cracked and is leaking water. It is made up of plastic type of stuff. Any good product recommendations or ideas to seal the plastic?

I need some durable ideas as it holds a lot of water. Any temporary fixes might not hold up for long due to the weight of the water.

Thank you in advance!

[handyandy]

Do you have any pictures? What brand is it? Water coolers are built in many different ways so it probably matters how it is configured.

[Gardenboy]

Hi Handyandy!

I got these pictures of the cooler sorry missed the brand name. As you can see it have a big tank which I got temporary fixed. I am saying temporary because I called someone to take a look at it, he removed the tires and tried to fix it by melting a PVC pipe (not sure about the material of the pipe but that is what it looked like) over the broken area. You can see the green stuff in the picture, I think that is the melted pipe. I am not sure but I think he also attached some small metal pieces.

Do you think this would last long?

Due to the weather, I am not currently using it.

[TinyTool]

Interesting. From the looks of it, the technician seems to have used a quick fix by melting some kind of PVC or plastic material over the damaged area and reinforcing it with small metal pieces. The greenish residue could be corrosion if metal was involved, or just leftover material from the repair process. While this kind of patch might hold for a while, it’s unlikely to last in the long run, especially since the damaged area is near the bottom of the tank where it’s under constant water pressure. To make the repair more durable, you could reinforce it with a good waterproof epoxy or sealant designed for plastic tanks, but make sure to clean and dry the area first. For a more permanent fix, plastic welding with the right filler material would work much better. That said, if the cooler is old or starting to show signs of wear in other places, you might want to think about replacing the tank altogether to avoid future headaches.

[Gardenboy]

I hadn’t thought about plastic welding. It does sound like a more permanent solution compared to what the technician did. If I end up needing a replacement, are there certain materials you think would hold up better in the long run?

I am thinking about replacing the plastic tank with something durable.

[TinyTool]

Plastic welding can be a great solution if you're looking to repair or reinforce a plastic water cooler tank instead of replacing it. It’s a process where heat is applied to melt and fuse plastic pieces together, essentially "welding" them. The result is a permanent bond that’s usually stronger than the original plastic, especially if done properly. It can work well for cracks or holes in the tank, but it might not be as durable in the long term as a full material replacement, especially with the wear and tear that a water cooler might experience. Plastic welding is often used for repairs that don't involve high pressure or constant wear, but if done right, it can restore the tank’s integrity for quite some time. If you're leaning towards this, it’s worth considering the type of plastic your tank is made from, as some plastics weld better than others.

If you're thinking of replacing the plastic tank in your water cooler, going for something sturdier like stainless steel or fiberglass could definitely give you peace of mind in the long run. Stainless steel is super tough, won't rust, and handles high temps well, so it’s a solid choice for durability. Fiberglass is also a great option, it's lighter than stainless but still really strong and resistant to cracking, especially with temperature changes.

These materials should last much longer than plastic, which can crack or degrade over time.

[Gardenboy]

I’m not sure what type of plastic my tank is made of. Would you suggest plastic welding as a solution, or should I replace the entire tank with a more durable material? I’m looking for something cost-effective and permanent.

[TinyTool]

Since the damage is at a critical spot underneath the tank where water pressure would be high, plastic welding might not provide a reliable long-term solution. Even if the weld holds, the constant pressure and possible expansion of the tank under load could cause the repair to fail over time.

In this case, replacing the tank with a more durable material would be the better option for a permanent fix. Consider upgrading to a tank made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic or metal, depending on your budget and requirements. These materials are designed to handle higher pressure and are more resistant to wear and damage.

[Gardenboy]

That’s great info, thanks! Do you think I’d need to go with a custom-built tank if I choose fiberglass-reinforced plastic or metal, or are there standard options available that would work for my setup?

[TinyTool]

Many coolers like this have standard-sized water tanks, and you might be able to find a pre-made replacement tank from the manufacturer or a similar model. If you can't find a suitable tank, you could explore having a tank made to fit, either with fiberglass-reinforced plastic or lightweight metal. This would ensure the tank fits perfectly and aligns with the water pump and drainage system.

[Gardenboy]

Thank you for explaining in detail, Tinytool. Very helpful!