Tightening a Bulkhead - Keeps leaking
- Thread starter Reefer08
- Start date
njdevilsfan
New member
this probably wont help but
there is a tool you can get that tightens bulkheads and slips off when they are at the right tension
i borrowed one from my lfs
it looks kinda like a weird metal x
there is a tool you can get that tightens bulkheads and slips off when they are at the right tension
i borrowed one from my lfs
it looks kinda like a weird metal x
AZDesertRat
In Memoriam
A few questions:
Where is it leaking from?
Where is the gasket placed? It should be on the flanged side not the nut side, ragardles if the flange is inside or outside.
Did you install the bulkhead dry and to a clean surface? NEVER use silicone, teflon or pipe dope. Teflon can be used on the internal threads or socket connection but serves no purpose on the outside threads.
Did you clean the excess plastic flashing off the flange and threads with a jewelers or nail file, xacto or pocket knife? Plastic scraps can cause leaks.
How big is the hole it is installed in? Is the fit snug or sloppy as in the hole is too big and there is not enough sealing surface for the gasket? A neat trick I leared years ago for holes that were oversized is to find an o-ring that fills the gap between the bulkhead and the holes inside diameter so you have a sealing surface for the gasket to butt up against.
Are you trying to support weight with the bulkhead? As in long piping, pumps etc. This causes uneven stress on the gasket and it will leak. Always support piping and pumps so the weight does not rest on the bulkhead and never plumb a pump directly to the bulkhead without some flexible tubing or support to releive stresses and vibration.
How tight is tight? Only hand tight plus 1/4 to 1/2 turn should do it nicely. Overtightening is worse than too loose in most cases.
Where is it leaking from?
Where is the gasket placed? It should be on the flanged side not the nut side, ragardles if the flange is inside or outside.
Did you install the bulkhead dry and to a clean surface? NEVER use silicone, teflon or pipe dope. Teflon can be used on the internal threads or socket connection but serves no purpose on the outside threads.
Did you clean the excess plastic flashing off the flange and threads with a jewelers or nail file, xacto or pocket knife? Plastic scraps can cause leaks.
How big is the hole it is installed in? Is the fit snug or sloppy as in the hole is too big and there is not enough sealing surface for the gasket? A neat trick I leared years ago for holes that were oversized is to find an o-ring that fills the gap between the bulkhead and the holes inside diameter so you have a sealing surface for the gasket to butt up against.
Are you trying to support weight with the bulkhead? As in long piping, pumps etc. This causes uneven stress on the gasket and it will leak. Always support piping and pumps so the weight does not rest on the bulkhead and never plumb a pump directly to the bulkhead without some flexible tubing or support to releive stresses and vibration.
How tight is tight? Only hand tight plus 1/4 to 1/2 turn should do it nicely. Overtightening is worse than too loose in most cases.
Reefer08
New member
Its a 1 inch bulkhead. It has no pumps attached to it so no weight on it, just a pipe draining to a refugium. Gasket is on the inside, not the nut section. No I didn't remove any excess flashing, it was a clean and new bulkhead.
Why is overtightening worse?? Because it will crack the glass? It stopped leaking completely but thats probably because I tightened it so much.
Why is overtightening worse?? Because it will crack the glass? It stopped leaking completely but thats probably because I tightened it so much.
tkeracer619
New member
The bulkhead might crack and split. Once it cracks... your drip turns into a hose.
Breakin newz
New member
Bulkheads are not ment to be overtightened, a good hand tighten is about only you should need...
jschottenfeld
Premium Member
I've had leaks similar to yours with my bulkheads and teflon paste enabled me to tighten further by hand, (reduces friction) and also I believe it act to block small openings in the threads that could allow water to drip.
I had the same problem with my bulkhead. It had a small drip leak and I tightened it and it still leaked so I tightened it more and the leak got worse...because I over tightened it and messed up the gasket. So, I had to buy a new one to replace that one, this time making sure NOT to over tighten. Not fun...not fun at all!
LOTUS50GOD
Active member
you could just have a bad gasket.. I would recommend removing the bulkhead, cleaning the inside, inspect gasket for any burrs, etc... handtighten, then put a 1/4 turn on it with a bulk head wrench.
Reef'in Colorado
Reefer
I only hand tighten...but I put a very thin bead of vaseline on both washers first so that it contacts the glass surface.
Reef'in Colorado
Reefer
I only hand tighten...but I put a very thin bead of vaseline on both washers first so that it contacts the glass surface.
AZDesertRat
In Memoriam
You want gaskets clean and dry. Remember ever scraping a rubber washer or gasket off of an old plumbing fixture or similar. Or have you ever had your windshield wipers stick to the glass?The rubber sort of vulcanizes itself to the fixture or glass in this case and thats what you want, no grease, vaseline or teflon paste.
jdieck
New member
Besides, grease or vaselline, because of their lubrication effect will make the gasket squeeze out more easily.
As AZD mentions:
1. Insure the threads are clean and the flange of the bulkhead does not have any plastic flash and insure the flange is flat and stright.
2. The gasket should be clean, dry and without marks or indentations.
3. Install the gasket on the flange side, not the nut side. This is for the gasket to seal properly. If the gasket is mistakenly installed on the nut side it will not seal between the thread and the nut.
4. Do not use teflon tape or any other sealer. Tighten the nut by hand as much as you can. You can tighten about 1/4 turn beyond that point. Some nuts are too tight into the thread and difficult to turn, this is usually caused by plastic flash on the thread were the manufacturing mold ifts together, a small triangular file can help get rid of it. If after "cleaning the thread there is still tightness you can use a minimal amount of silicone grease on the nut thread, after you apply the grease to the thread, remove as much as possible with a paper towel, the minimal amount left after wiping it off is more than enough.
A Tip: If you have an internally threaded bulkhead and you will be installing an insert fitting, try installing it into the bulkhead before the bulkhead is installed, just insure that the bulkhead nut can pass trough the fitting.
Another Tip: Other than schedule 80 bulkheads, specially the black ABS bulkheads are relatively thin walled, no not overtight the fitting as this will crack the bulkhead longitudinally, a usually tiny crack that do not show until your tank is full of water.
Enjoy!
As AZD mentions:
1. Insure the threads are clean and the flange of the bulkhead does not have any plastic flash and insure the flange is flat and stright.
2. The gasket should be clean, dry and without marks or indentations.
3. Install the gasket on the flange side, not the nut side. This is for the gasket to seal properly. If the gasket is mistakenly installed on the nut side it will not seal between the thread and the nut.
4. Do not use teflon tape or any other sealer. Tighten the nut by hand as much as you can. You can tighten about 1/4 turn beyond that point. Some nuts are too tight into the thread and difficult to turn, this is usually caused by plastic flash on the thread were the manufacturing mold ifts together, a small triangular file can help get rid of it. If after "cleaning the thread there is still tightness you can use a minimal amount of silicone grease on the nut thread, after you apply the grease to the thread, remove as much as possible with a paper towel, the minimal amount left after wiping it off is more than enough.
A Tip: If you have an internally threaded bulkhead and you will be installing an insert fitting, try installing it into the bulkhead before the bulkhead is installed, just insure that the bulkhead nut can pass trough the fitting.
Another Tip: Other than schedule 80 bulkheads, specially the black ABS bulkheads are relatively thin walled, no not overtight the fitting as this will crack the bulkhead longitudinally, a usually tiny crack that do not show until your tank is full of water.
Enjoy!
Last edited:
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