Got leaks?Updated 4 months ago
The most common cause of leaking is due to large a root system creating a blockage in the channel with a resultant overflow that travels to the lower end of your Salad Table. This gives the impression that your end cap is leaking (which is a very rare occurrence)
It's best to place your larger variety of plants like tomatoes away from the outlet (lower drainage end) to the middle of the table. This is to reduce the chance of the roots growing into the outlet hole and blocking the channel which could cause a dam effect.
If there is a leak between the channel end cap and the drainage pipe ensure they are properly seated by pushing and twisting at the same time. If this doesn't rectify the problem you may also wrap a few turns of plumbers thread tape (supplied in your kit) around the channel outlet and then pushing the drainage pipe back on. If needed you may also apply a thin film of silicone based sealer between the 2 pieces.
Also, it is best to only grow smaller varieties on your Triple Decker Salad Table and Salad Tower such as herbs. Large roots can cause blockages or dams and thus overflow.
If you discover leaks on your Triple Decker Salad Table where the channel slots into the frame, firstly ensure the channel is fully seated (pushed in). If the leak continues, apply some of the plumbers tape around the the outlet and push back in. About 4 or 5 turns of tape should be applied.
To help with the large variety of roots creating a dam effect and overflowing, you can cut a piece of garden hose and slip down beside the roots and this allows the water to flow past via another channel. The length of the hose depends on the length of the root system.
It is also fine to trim any large roots with a knife down the edge inside the channel to create a stream past the roots. This will give you a week or two of extra growing time.
A light smear of sealer may be required if a cap starts to leak. This is very unlikely and the cause for any leaks the vast majority of the time is due to large root systems which should be removed or dealt with as explained above.
Ensure your Salad Table (horizontal models) has a slight slope toward the nutrient container end. If the feed end is lower, it will leak.
Here are a couple of links to videos below showing how to rotate and push your channels into position. If required to use plumbers tape (included in your Salad Table kit) use approx 6 full turns.