Don Y wrote in
:

We have several ~55G plastic (almost nylon-ish?) barrels in which
we collect rainwater. They were originally used to hold detergent
or bleach or some other agent used to wash clothing, linens, etc.
(rescued from a local hospital's "laundry" as they are routinely
discarded, intact).

Most recent rainfall filled them all, again (I'd assumed we were
*done* for the year -- though I've assumed that for each of
the last three storms! : )

But, one barrel obviously has a leak. Over time, it's now down
to just a few inches in the bottom of the barrel. So, we know
the leak is at or below the current water level. I don't imagine
any *other* leaks are present as I'd been "feeling" the exterior
sides for signs of moisture and never found any.

I *suspect* the leak is inthe actual bottom end of the barrel;
the reason it has slowed/stopped is possibly because the leak is
fine enough that hydrostatic pressure at this low level is just
not enough to push much water out through the crack (recall any
sediments in the water will tend to want to *fill* the crack
thus further impeding flow).

As the suspected location is on the bottom, the only approach I can
think of to locate that would be to elevate the barrel on an
"open frame", keep it level (so water comes out from the crack and
doesn't cling to the underside of the barrel to find another
path to ground) and fill it with water -- perhaps even putting
some color in the water (e.g., Miracle Grow would give it a bright
blue color and not be inconsistent with the intended use of that
water -- if I never managed to clean the MG out, completely).

[The barrel has an open mouth so I can't just "plug up the inlet"
and pressure test it]

Any other suggestions to locate the leak?

Is caulking compound (on the interior) likely to be a permanent
solution? Or, an epoxy? Or, just toss the barrel (we'd have to wait
for a biannual special pickup to discard something of this size --
unless I dragged out a sawzall and diced it up!) and go pick up
another from the laundry?? (which is also tedious as they are large
and have remnants of nasty liquids in them before you get them home
and clean them)


I have two trash barrels that I use to hold water so I can flush the
toilet during a power outage when my well pump isn't working.

One has had a leak for the past few years. I just emptied it and put a
39 gallon lawn/leaf bag in it, folded it over the outside of the barrel
and secured it with a couple pieces of duct tape. Bag needs replacing
every few years as plastic deteriorates.


--
You know it's time to clean the refrigerator
when something closes the door from the inside.