How to Repair a Leaking Reusable Water Bottle Cap

After years of heavy use my favorite insulated metal water bottle has a small leak near the cap after I dropped it. I wondered if I could repair my leaking insulated water bottle (I already wore out and replaced the original cap) since I thought the leak was on the rim of hydration bottle and not the lid.

It also turns out that yes, you can repair a leaking water bottle rim and cap.

Here’s how.

 

Save this quick and easy reusable water bottle repair to your Pinterest boards for later! Share it with your friends!

I figured the main leak was at the rim the top screws onto the water bottle. Silicone is made for this job but you cannot use just any tube of silicone caulk (bummer because I have a bunch in my garage.)

Since this is possibly coming into contact with water you will drink, you must use a food grade (food safe) silicone sealant to fix a leaking water bottle. I used DAP Clear Silicone Aquarium Sealant (you can learn more about DAP’s food and aquarium safe sealant here) because it is easy to find. It’s also dishwasher safe which is nice even though I always hand wash my water bottles. I ‘ve ruined too many water bottles and travel coffee mugs in the dishwasher and don’t take the chance anymore. (Disclosure: I am including affiliate links for you convenience.) 

How to Repair a Leaking Water Bottle Rim

This is easily filled with silicone sealant I sealed the leak in my hydration bottle by running a bead of food and aquarium safe silicone sealant over the area where the metal bottle and rim meet and allowing it to cure. I didn't think the insulated water bottle cap leaked because GROSCHE says they make leak proof lids (spoiler. The leak is in the lid.)

I put making tape on the both sides of the water bottle’s rim to make sure I applied the sealant in the channel to seal the leak.

I applied a small bead of the food safe silicone sealant to the area and smoothed it out my finger. 

 

Quick and easy fix!

I removed the masking tape while the sealant was still tacky for a clean finished edge and allowed it to dry and cure for 72 hours.

I filled the bottle with water, screwed the lid, and tipped it to the side.

It still leaked.

Not as big of a leak as before but still something I wanted to fix. This time it was coming from the so called “leak proof cap.”

How to Repair a Leaking Grosche Reusable Water Bottle Cap

After some poking around I found that this was a common complaint for Grosche insulated water bottles. Apparently other insulated water bottle brands can leak if the cap gasket wears out and can be fixed with a new silicone ring.

I thought that might be why my Grosche Oasis water bottle is leaking. I turned the cap over and found that it didn’t use a silicone gasket in the cap at all. 

 

Maybe this cap leaks because it needs replacing but it looks fine to me.

I measured the inside of the cap and bought this exact wide reusable water bottle cap gasket here since it was made to fit various brands of water bottle caps.

When it arrived, I slightly stretched and gently poked the gasket into the cap channel with the grove side of the ring towards the container with a slotted screw driver. 

 

I stretched and inserted the ring with my hands before poking the seal to sit firmly in the cap channel

The leak was much smaller but still there when I tested the lid fix.

Since I had nothing to lose except the price of brand new water bottle, I pulled another insulated gasket from the package (it comes in a package of 4 rings) and side it onto the water bottle just below the threads where the cap and bottle meet.

 

 This probably should have the first thing I tried but replacement reusable water bottle gaskets are cheap so why not go big or go home with the repairs?

I filled the bottle with water, put the cap on, and turned it upside down.

No leaks!

I wiped the outside of my water bottle down again with a towel. I rolled, flipped, and turned the bottle every way possible.

Again, no leaks!

The day and my favorite water bottle is saved!

Looking for more insulated sport water bottle repair ideas? Check out the following options – and more – below!

Did you like this post? Get more like it by subscribing to the Lazy Budget Chef RSS feed