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Swamp cooler question ?
I have an old rusty swamp cooler that I inherited when I bought our house. It was already in sad shape and some metal areas rusted through, but it’s worked the last couple summers. This summer I got it set up to run (after winterizing it last fall) and I noticed a leak. It’s a roof mounted unit. I think Leak is coming from the tub somewhere where the tub meets the base that the unit sits on. There’s a lot of calking around the entire base of it and I think it’s coming from here. It’s not the drain plug or water line. The tub isn’t overflowing. Is it possible to just calk the seems? It’s not dripping in the house. Just onto the roof. Every year I keep saying “this will be its last” “it won’t survive another summer”, but like a champ it chugs on. Replacing it is not in the immediate future (funds wise).
4 Answers
- Spock (rhp)Lv 711 months ago
yes. turn water off and empty it out, then let it dry thoroughly. then either caulking or epoxy will fill the rusted seam well enough. -- grampa
- Anonymous11 months ago
Remove the old caulk and put a new one.
- oil field trashLv 711 months ago
As long as it isn't harming the roof then it is really not a problem. Actually having a bit of the water taken out of the basin can be a good thing because calcium can build up in the water and it is a good idea to bleed a little off all the time.
- walmeisLv 711 months ago
Dripping onto the roof is not usually a problem. Unless the roof is in need of maintenance. Or if the "dripping" is major water flow which will drastically increase water consumption.
Most nominally operating swamp coolers splash a few drops occasionally because the airflow from the fan causes the soaked fiber or fabric to give up a little water. Most designs have a pan catch those splashes and pump it back into the fabric to try again.
I suggest taking a few hours to clean out the old caulk thoroughly and re-caulk the whole thing. Maybe it will last 3-5 years before needing it again. Be sure to choose a UV-resistant, high temperature caulk for increased durability.
