Household Repairs Leaks. Draw off water to below the hole. Clean metal thoroughly with steel wool. Force plastic steel into hole and spread out over surrounding surface. Let dry completely before refilling with water.

A slightly more reliable repair can be made with self-tapping screws and expansion bolts produced specifically for plugging holes in tanks and large pipes (but not all hardware stores carry these). To use one of the screws, simply cut a gasket about twice the size of the screw head out of a tire tube, and coat it on both sides with iron cement. Stick the screw through the center of the patch, then drive it into the hole by turning its head with a wrench. To use the special bolt, drill a 3/8" hole in the center of the leak. Insert bolt and screw up on it. As you do this, a split-metal "nut" on the bolt expands and clamps tight against the inside of the tank. A neoprene gasket under the head of the bolt simultaneously draws tight against the outside of the hole.

Air-bound or waterlogged. See water pump.

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December 3, 2008