EB is leaking

[LuvTomatoes]

My 2nd standard EB which is more than 5 years old is leaking water.  It was fine after I planted my 4 pepper plants on May 7th and just started leaking today.  There are 3 small drips coming out from the middle bottom of the box.  Now what?  I'm at the very beginning of the growing season and I'm sure these leaks will get worse.
Thanks for any assistance!
Chris

[gardendoc]

Is there a crack in the EB or is water dribbling out the overflow?

[LuvTomatoes]

It's not the overflow.  After adding water in the morning, there was still a large puddle later in the afternoon.  I cannot see the bottom of the box but I put a mirror underneath, as best I could.  Small drips seem to be coming out in at least 3 different areas, right down the middle of the length of the box.
I purchased a new EB kit and will set it up and then move my 4 pepper plants.  They are still small enough that I'll be able to do so, without much harm!!! (I hope)

[gardendoc]

Do you have the wheel kit? I read posts about leaks at the places where the wheels attach.

[LuvTomatoes]

I do have the wheel kit for the staking system but the leaks are not coming from that area.  I removed the wheel system yesterday so the box is flat against the cement patio, thinking this would slow the leak a bit.  I'll post more after seeing the results over a few days.

[kerryV]

I have the same issue.  I had one leak last year and replaced it.  Now I suspect two are leaking (the new one and another that is 2 years old.) Mine are on castors and it is difficult to see underneath, but there seems to be water seeping out slowly, forming droplets on the underside, eventually, the droplets get large enough and drip down to the saucer underneath.   My older EarthBoxes never did this.  I can't replant now...I am thinking of using waterproof tape underneath....there are no seams, so I'm assuming it's the castor sockets or around the overflow drain - just guessing!

[LuvTomatoes]

kerryV, that is my situation exactly.  It looks like the drips are directly in the middle of the box, lengthwise.  I was able to slow the amount of water leaking by taking off the wheel (staking) kit and letting the box sit directly on my patio.  Most of the water stays in the reservoir and my 4 pepper plants seem to be thriving.
I'm disappointed that this newer box has the problem, even though it is over 5 years old.  Maybe there is a new issue with the adobe colored boxes as apposed to the green ones.
I purchased another adobe one for next year' growing season, to replace the leaker.

[CathyM]

It's disheartening to hear about these leaking problems.  This is only my third year using Earthboxes, but I had heard they last 20 years or more.  I hope you folks with leaks find a way to remedy the situation.

The wheels are of no use to me, as mine are in the back yard and not on a solid surface, just weed barrier on the ground.  I'm not sure I would even know if any of mine had a slow leak.  They are all adobe colored, so I hope that doesn't have anything to do with it.

I own nine of them, but I have since learned how to make sub-irrigated containers using 5 gallon buckets.  I have four in service this year.  They do get brittle in the sunlight over a few years' time, but they're cheap to make and easier to move.  The two jalapenos and two bell peppers are doing great in them.  Buckets have their place, however Earthboxes hold more soil, better accommodating larger plants such as heirloom tomatoes, which have massive root systems.

I have been recommending Earthboxes to everyone I know, so I really do hope their quality is the same as it was long ago.  It's a great system, and it would be a shame to be undependable after so many years of success.