barrel slow leak problem

Treatment and handling of your distillate.

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HDNB
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barrel slow leak problem

Post by HDNB »

8 months after fill a small barrel started a small leak, right on the bottom.

it's right under the band.

i tried a heat gun and parrafin wax.

any other suggestions?
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The Baker
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by The Baker »

Turn it over....

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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by HDNB »

The Baker wrote:Turn it over....

Geoff
yeah i guess...just drive the bung home with a 2 lb hammer.
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Fiddleford
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by Fiddleford »

It may be because the barrel has pressure from the alcohol evaporating inside causing the leak, I know you want this when ageing a spirit but if its leaking it will be a problem. Maybe try cooling off the barrel and see if it leaks then if it does might need to empty it and repair it. I'm not a cooper but I work alongside one and absorbed a whole lot of knowledge.
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Twisted Brick
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by Twisted Brick »

Didn't BadMotivator report that he seals his oak heads with melted beeswax?
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Saltbush Bill
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by Saltbush Bill »

HDNB wrote:it's right under the band.
You could try tapping that band toward the middle of the barrel a tiny bit ...its easy to over do it ...just a little at a time is enough. Ive fixed a few that way, but nothing is guaranteed.
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by still_stirrin »

Or...put a shotglass under the drip and periodically “empty it”. No waste...no worry. :thumbup:
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by Yummyrum »

still_stirrin wrote:Or...put a shotglass under the drip and periodically “empty it”. No waste...no worry. :thumbup:
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by fizzix »

Get your leak fixed, HDNB?
I had one giving me trouble so I cleaned the affected area, put some (natural, edible) soy wax on it and coerced it with a hair dryer.
No more leak.
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by The Baker »

fizzix wrote:Get your leak fixed, HDNB?
I had one giving me trouble so I cleaned the affected area, put some (natural, edible) soy wax on it and coerced it with a hair dryer.
No more leak.
Now that hair dryer was a touch of brilliance!

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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by HDNB »

still no joy. i did hit it with parrafin and a heat heat gun. i may have to empty and take a couple rings off, the leak is right under the end band.

maybe i should try some rad stop leak... :lolno:
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bitter
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by bitter »

sometimes a leak I have drilled a hole and put a piece of wood to drive in the hole... depending on the leak etc.. will not work in all case..

Driving the bands down can help depending on the barrel also.

B
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by jonnys_spirit »

I seal leaks with bees wax like soldering. Expose and prep the leak area. Sand and clean. Heat with heat gun then rub the bees wax into the heated and sanded area so the heated wood draws the wax deep into the spot where the leak comes from.

Repeat till tired or happy and drink some whiskey.

Has worked every time so far.

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seamusm53
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by seamusm53 »

If leaking under one end there's nothing necessarily wrong with standing the barrel on end leak up.
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by The Baker »

I tried to fix two old, small barrels that leaked.

god knows how much time I spent.

So far as I know they still leak.

A baker I am, a cooper I am not.

Geoff
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Re: barrel slow leak problem

Post by johnsparrow »

The Baker wrote:I tried to fix two old, small barrels that leaked.

god knows how much time I spent.

So far as I know they still leak.

A baker I am, a cooper I am not.

Geoff
Well, that explains the username.

I had been curious :)
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