How to Fix a Hole in a Plastic Container
No one has yet written An Ode to a Plastic Bucket, but perhaps someone should. From making sand castles to mopping kitchen floors and washing cars, a plastic bucket is indispensable.
Warning
Glues and melted plastic create a lot of fumes, so work in a well-ventilated area. Be careful not to overheat and burn the plastic if using a soldering iron. Don't use any of these repair techniques on buckets for holding food or drinking water, unless you're sure the materials used are food-safe.
Heavy duty buckets are used in the home, in industry, at construction sites, on the farm, and everywhere else that tough, reliable, and inexpensive carrying capacity is needed. As sturdy as plastic is, though, buckets sometimes develop a small hole or crack. When that happens, there are some effective first aid measures for repairing a wounded bucket.
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Clean and dry your bucket. Whatever repair method you choose, start the repair process by cleaning and drying your bucket. Repairs will be stronger and last longer when you start with this simple step.
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Try tape. Regular duct tape can work wonders in restoring a holey bucket. Apply tape to both sides of the hole or crack. Heating the tape with a hair dryer will create an even stronger bond. A tape fix works best for buckets that are not routinely used for holding liquids, but it can be surprisingly effective even for liquid storage.
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Go with glue. Most available adhesives will form a strong bond with plastic and are especially useful for repairing small holes and cracks. Avoid paper adhesives meant for kids in school. Stick with a good epoxy, putty, or acrylic glue, or use a specialty product specifically made for plastic repair.
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Heal it with heat. Most plastics will melt and reharden when you apply heat. Use a soldering iron or a heated butter knife to carefully melt plastic around the hole. Use the soldering iron or knife or another tool, like a putty knife, to work the melted plastic into place to seal the hole. Smooth out the material as best you can. The results may not be pretty, but they should be strong.
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Create a combo. There's no reason to rely on only a single technique to repair your bucket. A combination patch of tape and glue might be a more effective patching technique than either one alone. The circumstances of each repair job will differ, so you'll need to exercise your best judgment as to which technique or combination of techniques will best suit your needs.
References
Writer Bio
David Sarokin is a well-known specialist on Internet research. He has been profiled in the "New York Times," the "Washington Post" and in numerous online publications. Based in Washington D.C., he splits his time between several research services, writing content and his work as an environmental specialist with the federal government. David is the author of Missed Information (MIT Press, 2016), a book exploring how better information can lead to a more sustainable future.
Photo Credits
- rain buckets image by nastos from Fotolia.com
- rain buckets image by nastos from Fotolia.com
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