Repair a leak in a barrel
Repair a leak in a barrel

Have you found a leak in your barrel? There are various easy methods to solve the problem quickly. Take a look at our guide!

HOW DO I REPAIR A LEAK IN THE CHIME?

1 – Position a bevelled steel tool over the leak to enlarge the hole into which the peg will be inserted. It must be angled roughly perpendicular to the chime. Do not place a peg less than a centimetre from the chime edge (this risks the wood splintering).
2 – Drive the point in using a hammer to create the hole.
3 – Break the tip off the peg (approx. 3 mm) before placing it in the hole.
4 – Gently hammer the peg into place.
5 – Cut off the protruding part of the peg using a wood chisel.
6 – Gently scrape the chime and finish with sandpaper.

HOW DO I REPAIR ONE OR MORE LEAKS IN A HEAD (IN THE MIDDLE)?

1 – After you have located the leak, use a scraper to identify the wood grain direction (move the scraper in both directions). Then position the chisel around 4 cm from the leak exit point.
2 – Place the wedge in the split and drive it in using a hammer.
3 – Cut off the visible part of the wedge using a wood chisel.
4 – Once the wedge has been cut, scrape (to clean away the wine) and gently sand down the head using sandpaper.

HOW DO I REPAIR ONE OR MORE LEAKS IN A HEAD (IN THE CROZE)?

1 – If the seams are leaking along the head groove, dry the croze with paper to locate the leak or leaks. Then position as many wedges as necessary (around 4 cm away from the leak). If several wedges are required, position them in a step formation (never line them up).
2 – Hammer the wedges into place.
3 – Cut off the visible part of the wedges using a wood chisel.
4 – Finish by scraping and gently sanding the head using sandpaper.

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