Glass bongs are a popular way to enjoy your favorite herb or tobacco, but they can also be prone to some problems and issues that can affect your smoking experience. Whether it’s a leak, an air bubble, or a low pressure issue, there are some simple ways to troubleshoot and fix your glass bong without having to buy a new one. Here are some tips and tricks to help you keep your glass bong in good shape and enjoy smooth and flavorful hits.
How to fix a leaky glass bong?
A leaky glass bong can be annoying and wasteful, as it can cause water to spill out of the base or the stem, or make the smoke escape from the cracks or holes. Leaks can be caused by various factors, such as dropping the bong, overfilling the water, using too much force when inserting the bowl or the downstem, or simply wear and tear over time. Depending on the severity and location of the leak, you may be able to fix it yourself with some common household items.
One of the best options for fixing a leaky glass bong is using food grade silicone. This is a non-toxic substance that is often used to make molds for food items, and it is also resistant to damage and heat. Food grade silicone can be used to seal cracks, chips, or holes in the body or the joints of the bong. You can find food grade silicone online or at some craft stores. To use it, you need to:
- Clean your glass bong thoroughly and let it dry completely.
- Apply a thin layer of food grade silicone over the crack, chip, or hole using a toothpick or a small spatula.
- Smooth out the silicone and remove any excess.
- Let the silicone cure for at least 24 hours before using the bong again.
Another option for fixing a leaky glass bong is using duct tape. This is not the most elegant or discreet solution, but it can work in a pinch if you don’t have food grade silicone or if the leak is too big to seal with silicone. Duct tape can be used to wrap around the base, the stem, or the joint of the bong where the leak is located. To use it, you need to:
- Clean your glass bong thoroughly and let it dry completely.
- Cut a piece of duct tape that is long enough to cover the leak.
- Wrap the duct tape around the leaky area and press firmly to make sure it sticks well.
- Repeat with more layers of duct tape if needed.
Some poor choices for fixing a leaky glass bong include superglue, putty sealants, or similar products. These substances may not bond well with glass, and they may also contain toxic chemicals that can be harmful when heated and inhaled. Avoid using these products on your glass bong unless you want to risk damaging it further or compromising your health.
How to fix an air bubble in your glass bong?
An air bubble in your glass bong can be frustrating and annoying, as it can interfere with your smoking experience by making it harder to draw smoke from the bong, reducing the amount of smoke you get, or making the smoke less smooth and flavorful. Air bubbles can be caused by various factors, such as not filling enough water in the base, filling too much water in the base, having a loose bowl or downstem, having a clogged bowl or downstem, or having a crack or hole in the bong. Depending on the cause and location of the air bubble, you may be able to fix it yourself with some simple adjustments.
One of the easiest ways to fix an air bubble in your glass bong is adjusting the water level in the base. The water level should be high enough to cover the bottom of the downstem by about an inch, but not so high that it reaches the mouthpiece or splashes into your mouth when you inhale. To adjust the water level, you need to:
- Pour out some water from the base if it’s too high.
- Add some water to the base if it’s too low.
- Test the airflow by blowing into the mouthpiece and checking for bubbles in the water.
- Repeat until you find the optimal water level for your bong.
Another way to fix an air bubble in your glass bong is tightening the bowl or the downstem. The bowl and the downstem should fit snugly into the joint of the bong, but not so tight that they break or crack the glass. To tighten the bowl or the downstem, you need to:
- Remove the bowl or the downstem from the joint of the bong.
- Clean the joint and the bowl or the downstem with some alcohol and a cotton swab to remove any dirt or residue.
- Insert the bowl or the downstem back into the joint and twist it gently until it feels secure.
- Test the airflow by blowing into the mouthpiece and checking for bubbles in the water.
- Repeat until you find the optimal tightness for your bong.
A third way to fix an air bubble in your glass bong is unclogging the bowl or the downstem. The bowl and the downstem can get clogged with tar and resin over time, which can block the airflow and create air bubbles in the bong. To unclog the bowl or the downstem, you need to:
- Remove the bowl or the downstem from the joint of the bong.
- Soak the bowl or the downstem in some alcohol and coarse salt for a few hours or overnight.
- Rinse the bowl or the downstem with warm water and use a pipe cleaner or a paper clip to remove any remaining tar or resin.
- Insert the bowl or the downstem back into the joint and test the airflow by blowing into the mouthpiece and checking for bubbles in the water.
- Repeat until you find that your bong is unclogged and has a good airflow.
How to fix a low pressure issue with your glass bong?
A low pressure issue with your glass bong can be disappointing and unsatisfying, as it can affect your smoking experience by making it harder to clear the smoke from the bong, reducing the amount of smoke you get, or making
the smoke less potent and flavorful. Low pressure issues can be caused by various factors, such as having a too large or too small bowl or downstem, having a too long or too short stem, having a too wide or too narrow mouthpiece, or having a crack or hole in
the bong. Depending on the cause and location of
the low pressure issue, you may be able to fix it yourself with some simple replacements.
One of
the best ways to fix a low pressure issue with your glass bong is replacing
the bowl or
the downstem. The bowl and
the downstem should match
the size of
the joint of
the bong, but not so much that they restrict
the airflow or create too much drag. To replace
the bowl or
the downstem, you need to:
- Remove
the old bowl or
the old downstem from
the joint of
the bong. - Measure
the diameter and
the length of
the joint and
the old bowl or
the old downstem with a ruler or a caliper. - Find a new bowl or a new downstem that has a similar diameter and length as
the old one, but slightly smaller or larger depending on your preference. - Insert
the new bowl or
the new downstem into
the joint and test
the pressure by inhaling from
the mouthpiece and checking for smoke in
the bong. - Repeat until you find
the optimal size for your bong.
Another way to fix a low pressure issue with your glass bong is replacing
the stem. The stem should be long enough to reach below
the water level in
the base, but not so long that it creates too much resistance or splashback. To replace
the stem, you need to:
- Remove
the old stem from
the base of
the bong. - Measure
the diameter and
the length of
the base and
the old stem with a ruler or a caliper. - Find a new stem that has a similar diameter as
the old one, but slightly shorter or longer depending on your preference. - Insert
the new stem into
the base and test
the pressure by inhaling from
the mouthpiece and checking for smoke in
the bong. - Repeat until you find
the optimal length for your bong.
A third way to fix a low pressure issue with your glass
