Need Idea To Stop Potential Leak

[Old Moparz]

I need some ideas & input to solve a small, but annoying problem. I thought to myself, what better place to ask than here on the Charger site, where everyone has ideas & input. At home, we've been using bottled water dispensed through a water cooler for drinking & cooking. Been using them for almost 20 years for several reasons & will continue doing so. We have the table top model that's a cooler as well as a hot water type that sits on an oak cabinet. We have well water & no municipal service where we're located.

This isn't the first time, but I'm at a point where I've had enough with the water mess from an occasional water bottle that has a crack, or a hole somewhere on it. It's never noticeable until there is a huge puddle on the floor, or in most cases, a mess in the basement below where my wood shop is. I just found water that leaked down to a small box of leftover scrap wood I save near my table saw. Once before I had found a water mess with rust on the surface of the saw. I moved the saw over some, but this time I now have stained sheetrock by the cooler. Another time the wood parquet floor tiles buckled & came loose.

Here's my idea. Make a drip tray to place under the water cooler, & run a drain tube from it to a safe location so if the bottle does leak, the water can go somewhere. My wife said it's too much work & that I should just get a plastic container & cut it down so it's a couple of inches high. The problem I see, is that the drip tray won't hold the potential 5 gallons of water that the bottle on the cooler holds. Even if it did, who wants an electric appliance plugged into an outlet sitting in several inches of water?

Here's a sketch of what I was thinking. If someone has a better idea, or knows of a tray that's already available, let me know.

[mikepmcs]

Is that cabinet(oak one) hollow on the inside?  If so, is there any way you can fashion or rig something like your drip tray idea to actually go inside of the cabinet.  If that is drawn to scale it looks like that oak cabinet will hold more than 5 gallons, if so , you could just put a modified bucket in there perhaps, or you could build a tray for the inside to hold this amount of water.  I guess what I'm saying is.... do your drip tray idea but make the water drain hose go in to the oak cabinet to another apparatus for disposal.  Does that make sense.

v/r
Mike

[Old Moparz]

Does that make sense.

v/r
Mike

Sure does, but I was hoping to keep using the oak cabinet to store a few things. I have a few folders in it, some catalogs & car info. I managed to claim this one spot since it's about the only space that my wife didn't get her claws into for putting the 185,723 different things she seems to need. You know what the inside of a purse looks like, right? The same thing happens to drawers, cabinets & closets.   

We did have the higher, floor standing water cooler before this one. We rented it from the water supplier, but we got one of these retro, oak ice boxes now & bought a counter top cooler to put on it. You're right though, the cabinet is much larger than the 5 gallon jug & would hold it without any problem. Maybe I should take some measurements & see if I can keep some storage & also have the water container in it.

[Steve P.]

I not only think your idea will work, I know so. This is exactly what we use here in Florida on our A/C units in our attics. The drain goes out through a side wall outside. The problem I see is that if you burst a bottle it will go everywhere and the tray will not catch or handle it all..

Maybe it's time to look into reverse osmosis?? We have it under our kitchen sink. The water coming from it is great and it comes with a separate spigot just for your RO water. We have been using it here and our last house for 12 years.. I wouldn't ever drink the water here without it..

[69_500]

There are ways to see if the bottle has a leak before letting it sit for a long time. What I do with our 5 gallon jugs is to mearly look at the jug when I first sit it down after carrying it in. Watch the air bubbles. If its just a fine pin hole, typically its on the seam of the bottle. I know I'm probably crazy, but I lay each bottle on its side, and push into the middle of it with my knee watching to see if I see any water come out of the bottle anywhere.

Have caught quite a few leaks that way in the past.

[last426]

As holder of patent 6060987 and a certifiable wacko, I don't like your idea because of all the plumbing.  What I would do is use the drip pan and this alarm.  It's just easier.  Kim

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92334

[Steve P.]

The alarm isn't worth a crap if it goes off while nobody is home. Also I have seen those water bottles just split. When our dog's water bottle let go I had just filled it that morning. 3 gallons of water can do plenty damage..

I stand on the RO. idea myself..

[last426]

The alarm isn't worth a crap if it goes off while nobody is home. Also I have seen those water bottles just split. When our dog's water bottle let go I had just filled it that morning. 3 gallons of water can do plenty damage..

I stand on the RO. idea myself..

Oh yeah!  That plumbing ain't worth a crap if it gets plugged up, like they always do or if the bottle splits cause it can't handle the flow.  And what is your patent number, huh?

Okay, I will turn off the comedy.  There is an issue if the bottle splits or the pipe gets dirty.  My thinking was this though.  Since his wife does not want him to run a pipe, I offered an alternative.  If a bottle is going to leak it will likely leak right after it was installed.  So switch it while you are going to be around.  It just seems easier to have an alarm but don't take the suggestion personally.  To be honest, the problem needs to be addressed and my suggestion is only that, a suggestion.  Kim

[bordin34]

It sounds like it will work fine.
What was your patent for?

[mikepmcs]

"185,723 different things"

That was funny!

I think it was the arbitrary number that made me spit my beer all over the place...

I really don't like the idea of you having folders, books, papers....and things near by there.  Get them out of there please.

v/r
Mike

[last426]

It sounds like it will work fine.
What was your patent for?

An alarm, of course.  Go to www.marlia.com and click on patent. Then you can click on the pic itself to get to the patent on the patent site.  Kim

[Steve P.]

The alarm isn't worth a crap if it goes off while nobody is home. Also I have seen those water bottles just split. When our dog's water bottle let go I had just filled it that morning. 3 gallons of water can do plenty damage..

I stand on the RO. idea myself..

Oh yeah!  That plumbing ain't worth a crap if it gets plugged up, like they always do or if the bottle splits cause it can't handle the flow.  And what is your patent number, huh?

Okay, I will turn off the comedy.  There is an issue if the bottle splits or the pipe gets dirty.  My thinking was this though.  Since his wife does not want him to run a pipe, I offered an alternative.  If a bottle is going to leak it will likely leak right after it was installed.  So switch it while you are going to be around.  It just seems easier to have an alarm but don't take the suggestion personally.  To be honest, the problem needs to be addressed and my suggestion is only that, a suggestion.  Kim

Damn Kim, I wasn't;t trying to put you down. Just think the RO system has many better reasons to be installed.

1) You never have to carry in bottles again.
2) You don't have to worry much about the plumbing leaking for many years.
3) You wouldn't have an extra electric bill for heating the water at the bottle.
4) He would have another place to put stuff. On top of the Oak cabinet...
5) The plumbing is mostly in place allready..
6) (Give me a minute)..


What did you patent?? People in NY have been using high water alarms for more years than I've been alive.

[last426]

Damn Kim, I wasn't;t trying to put you down. Just think the RO system has many better reasons to be installed.

1) You never have to carry in bottles again.
2) You don't have to worry much about the plumbing leaking for many years.
3) You wouldn't have an extra electric bill for heating the water at the bottle.
4) He would have another place to put stuff. On top of the Oak cabinet...
5) The plumbing is mostly in place already..
6) (Give me a minute)..
What did you patent?? People in NY have been using high water alarms for more years than I've been alive.

It's my fault -- I must not have read the whole thing cause I did not know you were recommending a reverse osmosis (sp) thing.  I agree that it is a good solution.  When I worked at a power plant we used to wash our cars with that water and wow, no water spots that's for sure.  For those unfamiliar, power plants have big turbines powered by steam that is made from ro water to keep the turbine blades clean.  Next time I will read better.  Kim.

[Old Moparz]

I not only think your idea will work, I know so. This is exactly what we use here in Florida on our A/C units in our attics. The drain goes out through a side wall outside. The problem I see is that if you burst a bottle it will go everywhere and the tray will not catch or handle it all..

Maybe it's time to look into reverse osmosis?? We have it under our kitchen sink. The water coming from it is great and it comes with a separate spigot just for your RO water. We have been using it here and our last house for 12 years.. I wouldn't ever drink the water here without it.

I've seen similar set ups in the NYC subway to divert a leaky ceiling, & I almost did it under the dash on my wife's Duster. Everytime she drove to work in the rain, water came in, dripped onto her legs, ran down & filled her shoes.   I sealed the windshield more than once until I realized it was the wiper pivots that needed new seals & said the hell with it. The car had a lot of rust.

As for the reverse osmosis, we decided not to drink or use the well water. We found out a year or so after we moved here in 1989, that not too far away, like less than 1000 feet, an old landfill was closed in the 1970's. Dupont had factories in the area going way back & one property they had occupied is closed off & on a superfund toxic site list waiting to be cleaned up. I can just imagine what was disposed of in the local landfills.   

Oh yeah, the plumbing.    If anything, I was thinking of just running the drain line right back to one of the empty water bottles. I hadn't had one burst, but I suppose that's a possibility. There have been a few I caught leaking before I put them in, but some don't appear obvious at all & partially trickle out. I have one right now in the basement that had a puddle under it so it's going to be exchanged.

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There are ways to see if the bottle has a leak before letting it sit for a long time. What I do with our 5 gallon jugs is to mearly look at the jug when I first sit it down after carrying it in. Watch the air bubbles. If its just a fine pin hole, typically its on the seam of the bottle. I know I'm probably crazy, but I lay each bottle on its side, and push into the middle of it with my knee watching to see if I see any water come out of the bottle anywhere.

Have caught quite a few leaks that way in the past.

I like the idea of pressure testing it with your knee, & yes, the seams are where I see them leak mostly.

------------------------------------------------

As holder of patent 6060987 and a certifiable wacko, I don't like your idea because of all the plumbing. What I would do is use the drip pan and this alarm. It's just easier. Kim

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92334

I found that kind of alarm at Home Depot for $10 & bought 2 of them for my basement. After having ground water seep in for the first time 2 years ago, I decided I need something to let me know there could be a few inches of water down there that needs to be pumped out instead of sitting at the computer. Using it in the drip pan should work, & I might try that, but some of the leaks have been odd. There was one that didn't leak until the water level had dropped to a certain point in the bottle.

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I also butt heads with my wife on projects around here. If I explain an idea to her, she may or may not agree that it's any good. It could be "too much money" or maybe it's "too much work" or even "it won't work" for whatever reason. I've had better luck at just diving into something & just let her see it later & she likes it. I think I'm going to place a hose next to it & run it to a pair of her shoes so she'll see it when she gets her coffee in the morning. 

If I make a drip pan with a drain tube, I was thinking about making a shallow wood tray to place on top of the oak cabinet, & putting the liner tray inside so it isn't too cheesy looking. I even googled water cooler trays & such with no luck, only other stories of water leaks. Any more ideas?

[Steve P.]

Nope, I got nuttin else...    Sorry to hear about the dump, but that does explain why you sometimes glow in the dark...   

[mikepmcs]

Bob,
On/off subject. I'd like to see some of your woodworking if you have some pics.  I'm a hobbyist myself and like to build things.  Mainly it's military shadow boxes and sea chests but i've made some furniture and stuff too over the years.  My biggest piece was a 6'x6' entertainment center for my navy buddy, 16 shelves held a 35 inch tv, etc... that thing was massive and he had to trailer it home 50 miles from my house.  It took him 3 hours to get home. LOL.

Ok back on track now, I'm looking on the internet for some stuff for this leak issue.

I wonder though as I sit here in between plow runs(argh!!), isn't the water company responsible for this leak damage or do you have to sign some kind of leak waiver or something.  It just seems strange with what seems to be a common problem with these bottles the quality control would step in and improve the product.

v/r
Mike

[Steve P.]

Sure, yesterday I said that I have never had any trouble with my RO system. Today I have next to no pressure..    Can't win..

[mikepmcs]

Steve
Is it possible that the membrane or filter that traps the solute is clogged.  I'm sure you already thought of that but thought i'd throw it out there.

v/r
Mike

[Steve P.]

Thanks Mike. Yup,, I have been pondering the problem. My bigger problem right now is that my back has been killing me and the RO system is under the kitchen sink. The cabinet is pretty small and I don't do well on my back reaching upward..   Also with the MATS coming soon I am doing everything I can to get my back pain under control.. Just not good timing.. 

[Charger_Fan]

Moparz, you just think BEER! <---

You didn't list your dimensions, but maybe that would work? If that looks too bulky, maybe THIS? Sorta cheap, too.

[Old Moparz]

Moparz, you just think BEER! <---

You didn't list your dimensions, but maybe that would work? If that looks too bulky, maybe THIS? Sorta cheap, too.

Thanks, that second item looks like it'll work. 

I'll send a question about the size, & maybe make a wooden pan to go under it if it looks too commercial or industrial.

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Nope, I got nuttin else... Sorry to hear about the dump, but that does explain why you sometimes glow in the dark...

I didn't think the glow was that noticable. 

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Bob,
On/off subject. I'd like to see some of your woodworking if you have some pics.  I'm a hobbyist myself and like to build things.  Mainly it's military shadow boxes and sea chests but i've made some furniture and stuff too over the years.  My biggest piece was a 6'x6' entertainment center for my navy buddy, 16 shelves held a 35 inch tv, etc... that thing was massive and he had to trailer it home 50 miles from my house.  It took him 3 hours to get home. LOL.

Ok back on track now, I'm looking on the internet for some stuff for this leak issue.

I wonder though as I sit here in between plow runs(argh!!), isn't the water company responsible for this leak damage or do you have to sign some kind of leak waiver or something.  It just seems strange with what seems to be a common problem with these bottles the quality control would step in and improve the product.

v/r
Mike

I haven't made much in the last few years, but projects around the house & the garage put it all to use. I haven't made any highly detailed things, just a telephone organizer for phone books, pens, etc., & a narrow cabinet for video tapes. The next project planned is a computer desk to fit into an odd shaped corner. I'll see about getting some pics later after I dig out of the snow. 

The biggest use for the area I have in the basement for woodworking, is the table saw. I also have a radial arm saw, but I have to set that up with a long work surface. I had it set up in the garage while I was building the garage, but didn't have the space in the basement until recently. I've been separating wood shop items & car items over the last several years & have spent more time in the garage than the basement.

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I don't know what the liability of the water supply co. would be, but I did read on some other company's website that once the bottles are delivered, it's the customer's responsibilty. We have a different service at work that has only had one leaking bottle that I can recall. Maybe it's time to switch suppliers?

Thanks for the ideas guys!