Kitchen Garden Forum

Have you tried an electric soldering iron on the crack? I've repaired several plastic items - pots, watering cans etc - by melting the edges of the crack until they seal up.

The weight in a water butt when full is close to half a ton, I'm not sure there's way to patch that, if it's cracked there's a chance there's another weak point in it somewhere. If it's on a seam, that could unzip and if it's failed because the plastic has gone brittle, it could go elsewhere.

I've noted all your suggestions and will test them out when the weather picks up then I'll probably end up getting a new one.

Have you tried plumbers plastic solder, the solvent for joining pipes, put it on the inside and outside

I would not hold out much hope. It is probably polythene, HDPE. For our purposes, effectively not soluble in anything. The solvent weld cements used for plumbing rely on at least softening the surface of the parts to be bonded. I think you'll need to replace it.

I don't think I would bother trying you spend money on all types of repair gadgets none work then you have to replace it might as well just replace it in the first instance

sound advice robo!

My son told me to throw it away too but it seems a waste of all that plastic so I'll have a go after Christmas and let you know if anything works. I might have to wait until my partner is at home in case I get stuck trying to seal it on the inside. It might make an amusing video!!!

I can imagine it now, Plumpudding....a pair of legs running around, with a water butt on top.....

I can hear it now, as we look at the video, PP's dulcet voice asking her viewers









"Does my butt look big in this"

2 butts together