Leaks in tanks are usually caused by corrosion. Sometimes, a safety
valve may fail to open and the pressure developed will spring a leak.
While a leak may occur at only one place in the tank wall, the wall may
also be corroded thin in other places. Therefore, any repair should be
considered as temporary, and the tank should be replaced as soon as
possible.
A leak can be temporarily repaired with a toggle bolt, rubber gasket,
and brass washer, as shown in figure 6. You may have to drill or ream
the hole larger to insert the toggle bolt. Draw the bolt up tight to
compress the rubber gasket against the tank wall.
[Illustration: _Figure 6._--Closing a hole in a tank: _A_, The link
of the toggle bolt is passed through the hole in the tank (hole is
enlarged if necessary). _B_, Side view of tank edge (nut is drawn up
tightly to compress washer and gasket against tank). _C_, Outside view
of completed repair.]