Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Carpet Dawg on March 26, 2013, 09:53:37 pm
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Howdy
I've got a spare steampro from years ago in my spare room (or should i say carpet cleaning supply bunker!). That I want to put to good use as back up or for someone else to use on a big job or to sell it in the future. Not decided yet.
Anyways, its got a slight leak on the inside of the machine. Where the vacum stack enters the machine on the inside i.e. above the vacum motors or there abouts.
Its not a massive leak, but basicly if the machine has been running for an hour or so and you where to run your fingers along the rim of the stack (once you've opened up the machine obviously) then there's some moister there. So i'm presuming water can/is leaking in to the vac motors. As I say, its only a little but still cant be healthy for the vacs.
There's must be a little gap or something between the stack and the body that is allowing water from the waste tank leak into the inside of the machine.
Sorry long post as usual, just wanted to build a picture :)
So my idea is to apply one of these products http://search.diy.com/search#?p=Q&srid=S8-UKLD02&lbc=diy&ts=ajax&w=sealant&uid=289351764&method=and&isort=score&view=grid&srt=0 to the joint where the stack meets the body. Either inside of teh waste tank or inside where the vacs are. Or both << probably both.
Do you think i'd have more luck with the unibond sealant type of product (the outdoors type, not the type you use in the bathroom. Tried that on a waste tank lid once and lasted half a day!) or the thick water proof coating paint that you apply to roofs?
What do you guys think?
cheers
Tony
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I used a sealer last year, I can't remember which, I went through about 4 before I found one that didn't shift. I'll have a look tomo and let you know.
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Exactly my thoughts! dont want to keep on fannying about apply different things on it.
If you could let me know which you used Neil i'd be greatful!
thanks
Tony
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Tony you need to use this stuff:
http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/p-2587-3m-marine-adhesive-and-sealant-stay-white-4000uv-06580-295ml-cartridge.aspx?_$ja=kw:marine+sealant|cgn:marine+sealant|cgid:5875306056|tsid:38940|cn:3M-UK-BG-Bro-Eng-DT-SE-Marine|cid:132529896|lid:41102491|mt:Broad|nw:search|crid:31961164536&gclid=CKC08f6ym7YCFaLHtAodfCQApA
Also you can't stop leaks by putting sealant around the joint. It won't work.
You need to dismantle the stack, clean off the original sealant, apply new sealant then re-tighten but not fully tight. If you tighten too much you just squeeze all the sealant out of the joint and are left with a thin film. By leaving sealant in to go off when you then fully tighten the sealant compresses creating a perfect seal.
Believe me having owned boats for years this is the only way you can do it. Clagging more gunge on top doesn't work.
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Thanks John! Thats looks like the product I need!
Looks like my quick fix wont be so quick ;D Cant be too hard to take off the stack.
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tony we've used tigerseal for years putting windows in panel vans . ie . cutting a hole in the van and inserting a window .it is the dogs danglies ... what I cant say is if it is chemical resistant or not. powerburst etc..... however if it can hold a window in a van at over 100mph then there's a fair chance it would work in your machine .
I hope this helps
dan
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U-pol-Tiger-Seal-Pu-Adhesive-Sealant-Black-Tigerseal-/110822397021
here's a link
ps .... make sure its the black one u get
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Check your waste tank lid. On older machines they start to collapse pushing down on the top of the stack elbow. Check by putting some grease on it. This damages the plastic welded insert on the tank that the stack screws into. It really needs the tank replacing but if its only going to be for infrequent use you could cut it back by half an inch and make sure to empty the tank every time you switch the vacs off you can probably get away without replacement.
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I had the same problem it was the silcone worn away so i unscrewed cleaned up and resiliconed it and now it's sorted i used some expensive silicone but was advised after to Use LS-X meant to brill for the job and no carpet cleaner should be without all though i haven't used yet.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/190806790190?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
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Hi Tony
Used the same as Phil (PM)
Used it on my old Prochem Galaxy
Richard
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The best you can get is Sikaflex, believe me.
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Thanks guys!
Alot of choices now! :( i'll flip a coin ;D maybe order something tonight and get it sorted on sunday inbetween rolling eggs down hills and having the sunday roast!
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Sikaflex is similar to the 3m one. Designed for fibreglass boats which flex like a waste tank does.
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cheers John!
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Sikaflex is the one. Didn't even need to look. Got some off ebay. It's good when you get it in your hair....don't ask!
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How hard does it dry though for when he needs to unscrew again ? the LS-X makes it eaisier to remove if you ever need to.