How to secure my rain barrel fittings?

Question

When making my rain barrel, I thread a plastic spicket into the barrel and secure it with washers and rubber o rings as well as silicone caulk. A female threaded fitting clamps it on from the inside. I am having problems... no matter how tight I crank on the fittings I can rotate the spicket in its hole a little to easily if I try to and Im guessing that breaks the silicone seal. Maybe brass fittings would hold tighter in the beginning but I want to stick to plastic fittings. Any advice appreciated!

Pete J · Accepted Answer

It's quite simple really!
Go out & buy yourself a tank entry, they come in brass, plastic or stainless steel.

They consist of a fully threaded tube with a piece of insertain  rubber a flat washer & a back nut either side of the object you want to go through.

My advice is to roll up some plumbers putty in your hand like plasticine into the shape of a snake. wrap it around either side of the fitting once it's through your barrel. push up the insertain rubber both sides the do up the back nuts against the washers. The putty wil squeeze out... meaning your making a good secure & leak proof seal. Should you require another fitting to go either side of the tank enty then do one side before you tighten up one back nut.

It works fine for me as I have put 100's of entries of all sizes into concrete water tanks, plastic water tanks & even wooden water tanks for over 30 years & haven't had a leak yet!! And if I can do it you can too!
It just takes a bit of patience & planning before hand!

Cheers!!

Anonymous · Answer

maybe add some more washers it to me sounds like there is too much space play to begin with - so add more washers inside and out - then if they do it at this point i would put a lock washer with the washers

Joyce R · Answer

then stick with the plastic or nylon fittings easily obtained at a home improvement store

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How to secure my rain barrel fittings?

3 Answers