Hoover SteamVac and Vax Hot Water Tanks that Crack and Leak I Really “Mist” Having A Leak-free Hot Water Tank
The problem:
My Hoover SteamVac Dual V carpet cleaner tank has leaked since the day I brought it home. The Vax Dual V and All Terrain also seem to share this problem. I’d just chalk it up to a bad machine, but other than the constant leaking, it does a great job on my carpets. It was leaking from the water valves, but then the water tank/reservoir started to crack all over the bottom and that’s when the SERIOUS leaking began.
It seems that all Hoover machines of similar design have the same issue and I have heard of people going through 4 or 5 tanks, all of them cracking. Replacement tanks cost $90 and up, and the replacements are reported to be just as bad as the originals. That’s about half the cost of a new machine!
Silicone sealant and epoxy were not successful in repairing the tank that was not just cracking, but actually falling apart
Using silicone sealant helped temporarily. Epoxy worked for a while. Finally, enough water had leaked into the cleaner that the built-in scrubbing brushes would no longer spin.
I couldn’t see sending an otherwise decent machine to the landfill and I sure as hell wasn’t going to buy a new Hoover steam cleaner! I was going to try one last fix before writing this whole thing off, and it worked! See how in the step-by-step video above.
The solution:
Even though the commercials are over the top, Flex Seal Liquid Rubber seemed like it might work. So, in combination with packing tape, cotton balls and nitrile gloves, I set out to try an experiment, figuring I had nothing to lose if it didn’t work out.
Well, it did work out and has continued to be leak-less with repeated use, and the best part is I have clean carpets! See how it was fixed in the step-by-step video above.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission on items bought using them. These are the same recommendations I would make regardless of any compensation. For products that I have older versions of, I recommend the items that I would replace them with if I were buying them new.
Resources for Hoover SteamVac and Vax Water Tanks Crack and Leak
Flex Seal Liquid Rubber in a Can, Clear
From Amazon
If you don’t mind not being able to see the tank clearly, black or white Flex Seal will also work if you can’t find the clear.
Wool Daubers Ball Brush with Metal Handle Applicator
From Amazon
Alternative to loose cotton balls below
Powder-Free Nitrile Utility Gloves – 100 Gloves, Blue, Large
From Amazon
This links to large size, but make sure to order the right size for you.
Gorilla Heavy Duty Packing Tape with Dispenser
From Amazon
Super tough packing tape
Solimo Cotton Balls, 200 Count (Pack of 1)
From Amazon
Alternative to daubers listed above
US Art Supply 24 Pack of 2″ Paint and Chip Paint Brushes
From Amazon
Using these means no messy cleanup after spreading the Flex Seal.
There are more DIY projects in the works, so stay tuned to Uncharted DIY. Feel free to comment, post photos of your Hoover SteamVac Tank or ask questions about this project.
