Fix a Leaking Float Valve for Free ~ Evaporative "Swamp" Cooler Valve Repair DIY

[@SoThatsGoot]

After two years of having a chronically leaking cooler, I finally bit the bullet and learned how to fix it, all thanks to this video! Thanks for making this, it's just what I needed.

[@jumejube]

Thank you so much! This is a very clear, concise, helpful video that doesn't waste any time but explains things well.

[@dianasnyder4281]

Very good video. Clear instructions. Many are not, you do a superb job.

[@TrailerDayz]

Thanks! Glad to help.

[@brendacatworthy]

Good, clear presentation. I might go ahead and do it myself.

[@ronsetramirez989]

Thanks for the video, really clear and helpful!

[@patrickcallan8256]

Nice video. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@woeful420]

im about to try this ive been looking for videos and you mightve just saved me man

[@jolenadan2534]

Good video having that trouble right now gonna give it a try right now

[@rickdrewer6427]

Excellent informative video, thank you

[@TrailerDayz]

You're welcome!

[@pg13goatlord]

Thanks for the video, I am all for saving money if I can!

[@godshumbleservant1472]

Just decided you weren't spending/wasting time/money running until you break the one you knew you weren't going to be able to repair.....yet missed not one step fixing existing- effectively surprising yourself as well as us. I thought for sure vid was over halfway; then came the curiousness that just so happened to magically come together......thanks be to who? God. Hey man, good job. Thanks for sharing.

[@TrailerDayz]

Godshumbleservant Ummm... Thanks!

[@Bomber103378014]

Dude thanks for the vid, it really helped.

[@woeful420]

you sir just saved me 50$ bucks hell yeahh

[@genesis7552003]

good video.

[@edwardgazo1106]

tks 4 ur video

[@dks13827]

In my Champion cooler I added a 2nd water pump, it is an option, low cost. About once a day it pumps all the water in the pan out to the drain pipe down to the yard or the grass.

[@susanmarley1663]

The purge pumps with a timer usually totally discharge the tray every 8 hours, (3x a day)

[@solsagavestand211]

It's not uncommon that you have to bend the rod on which the float is attached to get a more extreme angle, in effect raising the float overall. We have one of the more expensive ones you mentioned (by Dial, bought at Home Depot) and it has been less than effective as store-bought. We're bending the rod later today to see if it can be adjusted in that fashion. If not ... buy a better valve? Why are these things so primitive?

[@zeffur7]

Make a solar still & connect it to your resevoir and you will never have to clean that valve again. :) Thanks for sharing!

[@cr38er]

Are you saying to have a solar still supply the water for the cooler? There is no way it would produce enough water to replace that which is being constantly evaporated by the cooler.

[@zeffur7]

cr38er No, What I suggested is that you use a solar still to drip evaporated water into your evaporative cooler through your clean float valve. If your solar still tanks (dirty & clean) are large enough, then you might only have to refill it once a week. The size of your solar still will need to be based on the evaporation rate of your area--which should be pretty high in AZ during the summer. Do you know the evaporation rate per square foot per hour during the hottest part of summer in your area?

[@cr38er]

The reason evaporative coolers work so well in AZ is because it it soo dry. In humid climates with moisture evaporating per sq/ft they don't work because the evaporation process isn't happening as fast. It would probably work, but the stills would need to be Huge... Like the size of a house.

[@zeffur7]

cr38er How much water does your evaporative cooler use per day during the summer in a worst case scenario?

[@alive-awake]

@@zeffur7 I live in AZ with swamp cooler. I wonder that too. Our water bill only increases maybe $4/mth during summer when using it.

[@talentheturtle]

What could be wrong? I have water leaking from the outside copper line that runs into the float valve, where the nut attaches the copper line to the float valve on the outside of the cooler.

[@SethJamesDeMoor]

PLEASE HELP, MY SWAMP COOLER IS LEAKING INTO THE HOUSE AND I CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT!

[@pclvhpns]

The float valve connection is the biggest problem I have with my cooler EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR 😤

[@tkdrgnon]

To reduce calcium I would just use a purge pump that they use on master cool and air-cool EVAP coolers. Drains the pan every 12 hours.

[@dududud8585]

I changed the float and it's not shutting off water and is running out the bottom..im female my first try at this

[@TrailerDayz]

If it's a new float valve, you have to adjust the shut-off level by bending the float rod, or unscrewing the float level screw and adjusting the float downwards. Sometimes you can just turn the float sideways also.

[@kittyg1462]

I put a bucket under mine than water my plants throughout the day

[@caveredecorator5310]

oh that must be why the mastercool is rusted out in that one bottom area. and it only leaks when its turned off. and why i had to replace that one rusted out leg.

[@pclvhpns]

I just bought the little bag of balls and it says it only works if you use the pump bleed off as well. Just fyi

[@DyslexicLunatic]

Just keep a spare on hand. Not like they're an expensive part to replace. Put the new one in the unit, then when you have some spare time, bored, rebuild the unit and have it ready for the next time. Five minute fix.

[@jdaz5462]

I need mine fixed. I'm in Arizona. Come fix it and I'll give you some loot!

[@TrailerDayz]

That's why I make these videos, so people can learnt to fix their own. Maybe a neighbor, or friend can help you out.

[@jdaz5462]

@@TrailerDayz It's on a commercial building at my business. 20+ foot roof.

[@TrailerDayz]

@@jdaz5462 You can hire any handyman to repair it for you. It will probably be very cheap.

[@DogeBoi-ut6kv]

I would prefer the plastic float valves the metal ones will rust more quickly and clog alot

[@PhantomQueenOne]

The water is just nasty here isn't it? I have to fool with the float myself, it's overflowing. What a pain. Had to turn the water to it off and will screw with it in the morning.

[@TuBeMaN5609]

Even when these floats are new, they never stop leaking. It's frustrating. Is there another valve out there? with a whole different mechanism? I guess it's how these companies make their money.

[@pclvhpns]

EXACTLY! I just replaced a year old leaky one with a brand new LEAKY one 😡

[@username7162]

Where does water from the float voul

[@sheffi01008631]

Mine pours out from the white plastic part unless the float is held up to at least 45-50 degree angle. Useless.

[@jenng8356]

Does anyone have the issue where it only leaks for about 60 seconds only right after I shut it off. It doesnt leak any other times than that. Maybe a little when raining, but not as much.

[@TrailerDayz]

It's normal for them to dribble a little after shutting off. You can adjust the water level down a little if it is over filling. Sometimes just turning the float 90 degrees so it's pointing up and down will be all you need.

[@jenng8356]

@@TrailerDayz thank you, I will try that. But it pours out of there for 60 seconds. I can get about 1 cup filled in that time. But then it stops.

[@jenng8356]

@@TrailerDayz Also, this is after we just replaced the pump. Would this effect it?

[@TrailerDayz]

@@jenng8356 Yep. Calcium or grit in the valve is a constant problem and why they fail. They are pretty crude devices exposed to pretty harsh environments. That's why they need to be replaced or cleaned so often.

[@jenng8356]

@@TrailerDayz awesome thanks for your help.

[@butteroffdead]

Yes these valves can be repaired. but the time it takes to fix these floats could take over an hour (not counting the fact it may not work) for less than $10.00 you can put a new one in, in less than 5 minutes. trying to fix an old one is a waist of time.

[@christianchavez2509]

It didn't really work for him it was dripping the whole time unless he pushed his float way up.

[@hastabyebye]

I just bought a new one and installed it. Works during the day but drips all night just like the old one.

[@pclvhpns]

Yep, might as well go by a brand new leaky one... Lol

[@hastabyebye]

I bought one of the $$$ green adjustable valves. 5 minutes to install and adjust and not one drop once it reaches the shut off point. We'll worth the extra $$. thanks for your video.

[@kurtvanluven9351]

Well I run two businesses and right now business is down to the point where I have more time than money at the moment so I'm going to go ahead and fix mine but you're right in most cases.

[@noahtenshen]

Fix a Leaking Float Valve for Free--buy a new one from Amazon. Looks to me like it was still leaking after all that. Maybe your first idea was more correct--buy a new one.

[@sheffi01008631]

Easy to install a new one. Worthless. Pours out more water than the old one.