How to Repair the Fresh Water Tank in an RV

Small cracks or holes in fresh water tanks are repairable using at-home methods. Severe damage, however, requires professional repair or replacement. Several different RV holding tank patch products are available on the market. Most of the products work well on ABS tanks, but only provide temporary results on polyethylene tanks. EternaBond tape works well on both types of tanks, is easier to use than most holding tank patch kits and forms an instant bond. The manufacturer of EternaBond claims that its tape adheres permanently to practically any surface except silicone.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Drill
Acetone
Rag
EternaBond OneStep Miracle RV Roof Tape or EternaBond A-Seal
Scissors or utility knife

Step 1

Empty the fresh water tank and wait for the tank to dry.

Step 2

Drill a hole at each end of the crack using an automatic drill. This stops the crack from spreading. If you are repairing a hole, skip this step.

Step 3

Remove dirt and debris from the area of the tank needing repair, using acetone and a rag.

Step 4

Cut a piece of EternaBond tape that is 2 inches longer than the damaged area. A standard pair of scissors or a utility knife will cut the tape.

Step 5

Pull off 1 inch of the EternaBond tape backing to expose the adhesive. Place the tape 1 inch away from the crack or hole. Slowly press the tape down over the damaged area of the tank with one hand while removing the backing with the other hand, until you have placed down the entire piece of tape. Rub back and forth over the entire surface of the tape with your hand to press the tape firmly into place.

Step 6

Lay a second piece of EternaBond tape over the first piece.

Step 7

Wait 12 hours before filling the fresh water tank.

Tips & Warnings

EternaBond tape may be used on wet surfaces in an emergency. The tape will most likely bond on a wet surface, but the manufacturer does not guarantee the results when applied under these circumstances.

Work carefully with EternaBond tape to avoid mistakes. The tape forms a strong bond instantly, making it almost impossible to remove once it has been applied.

Article Written By Rose Kivi

Rose Kivi has been a writer for more than 10 years. She has a background in the nursing field, wildlife rehabilitation and habitat conservation. Kivi has authored educational textbooks, patient health care pamphlets, animal husbandry guides, outdoor survival manuals and was a contributing writer for two books in the Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader Series.

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