Help! My watering system is leaking!!

[lindsayac]

I installed a watering system that has a 5 gallon jug feeding into 3/4" pvc pipe. I have one section inside the house about 1 foot long with 3 nipples and another 3 foot section outside with 4 nipples. They all seem to bee leaking like crazy (one drop every couple seconds) out of the metal pin hole. We used the yellow clip on ones and they are mounted pointed to the ground. The inside and outside of my coop are getting soaking wet and I don't know how to fix it. Any ideas?????

 

[cavemanrich]

First

Now to address your water leak... I get a feeling that the water is leaking from where the nipple meets the PVC pipe. If the holes were not drilled clean, and there are burrs, or irregularities in the surfaces where they meet. water will find its way. If the leak is coming from the valve itself. then they are a defective batch. You need to wipe it dry and look closely to really determine where it is leaking. Obviously the water drop will be falling from the lowest point. If the leak is from where it seals to the PVC pipe., then replace the little Rubber O rings. If you don't have these. then you can try sealing it with YES,,,,,, chewing gum. There is no high pressure to be concerned with. Obviously you will need to remove the nipples and place gum where the surfaces meet. If nipples themselves are leaking, then get a better quality set .. You may opt for screw in type. You would need to redo openings in PVC pipe with appropriate size TAP , Available at HARDWARE STORES. Hope this helps you make correct decision. Remember that wetness is the last thing that you want.
Don't hesitate to ask any question you may have.

 

[silkwormlady]

Hooray to asking questions. I have 9 2+ week olds. Switched them to vertical nipple waterers. No leaks - yea! BUT is two enough for the gang? I have no idea. Can put up 2 more since we have the nipple hickies.. Go ahead and put up the other 2? Why not?

 

[cavemanrich]

Hooray to asking questions. I have 9 2+ week olds. Switched them to vertical nipple waterers. No leaks - yea! BUT is two enough for the gang? I have no idea. Can put up 2 more since we have the nipple hickies.. Go ahead and put up the other 2? Why not?

I see no harm in putting up the extra ones. I only use dishes of water at this time, but I always have multiple ones at all times. This way, no chick left behind, LOL Or deprived.

 

[silkwormlady]

How old are your chicks? Do they not track through the dishes, kick shavings up into them, poop in them? That is what mine did and the reason I switched.

 

[cavemanrich]

How old are your chicks? Do they not track through the dishes, kick shavings up into them, poop in them? That is what mine did and the reason I switched.

I only have adult chickens. And I used dishes in error. Should have been containers. They are no longer used Cornelle bowls that are very easy to keep clean. Tidy looking also. I re purpose many things. My coop is a re purposed children's playhouse. In the winter time I use small size crock pots to keep water from freezing .. I have them power controlled by a dimmer switch. Keeps water just at finger submersion temperature. Otherwise water would boil. The porcelain inserts are removable for easy cleaning.
You can see pix of coop on my profile page. If you have any other questions on some neat ideas , just ask.