Why does my glass Hummingbird feeder leak
What can be an issue that develops in all kinds of hummingbird feeders, the glass kind I still believe is the best type of nectar-filled feeder you can buy.
Why do glass Hummingbird feeders leak is because its possible the metal or probably the plastic body the glass reservoir connect to. Glass is reliable but the plastic body where the port wells are can expend, shrink, or indeed warp due to age, thus gaps open up which will lead to subtle leaks early on.
I can't allow you to get away with the possibility of an unkempt, poorly maintained hummingbird feeder; if that applies to you with a feeder that is never cleaned over the course of its use, then why your feeder leaks is because of on you.
Clean your hummingbird feeder with a soapy wash once in a while to prevent the build up dirt forming, which can only get worse the longer its left to develop.
If you do properly clean your hummingbird feeder as often as you can - along with a change of nectar - then this will at least prevent filth forming in assembly joints which is where leaks will begin to happen.
I promise you the cause of leaks or drip on a glass hummingbird feeder, isn't contributed to the glass reservoir itself... it can only be the metal or plastic body.
Look, all plastic hummingbird feeders or parts can expand or shrink due to temperature change, while an old age plastic hummingbird feeder will warp if poorly built.
Metal won't give you these kinds of issues although bear in mind both plastic and metal hummingbird feeder bodies don't always seal well on glass bottles filled with liquid.
How you open a feeder to replenish the hummingbird feeder relies on an unscrewing technique, of which the more often its done the likelihood the seal will become compromised.
Glass hummingbird feeders must continue to be used still as only I recommend you buy a glass feeder... that is made with a metal body, thus avoiding plastic parts.
Material all prone to leaks
Regardless of what differences you may have with your glass hummingbird feeder, I continue to believe glass hummingbird feeders are better than plastic models.
And let me tell you a leaking glass feeder in particular isn't all that unusual; in fact it could be just the way your hummingbird feeder is built - and therefore you would have to put up with the leaks or annoying drips.
Material like glass or plastic the bottle is made out of that holds the nectar can all be prone to leaks, due to wear and tear or a poorly handled feeder.
Despite that just because a glass hummingbird feeder is leaking that doesn't mean it has to be the new norm.
There is absolutely a possibility your glass hummingbird feeder is leaking because there's a fault in the design, or an opening has formed which is causing nectar to leak through.
If it isn't too late I would then request a refund or replacement of this feeder which could be the answer to your problems.
Have no doubt about it, the solution to avoiding leaking glass hummingbird feeders isn't committing to a plastic model - all material can leak or drip in due course.
Hard to seal glass on plastic or metal
Why do glass hummingbird feeders leak in particular is because glass in itself is difficult to seal against a completely different material that makes up the rest of the feeder.
Glass on a hummingbird feeder would obviously be the reservoir that holds the nectar in, whereas the body of the feeder can be made in metal or plastic.
Glass with a metal lid - and therefore a metal body - are likely to leak as its two completely different harden materials that don't respond well when used together.
Plastic hummingbird feeder bodies though are different, in that a plastic body - which acts like a bottle lid - can fit tightly on the glass with a little give to create the seal.
Glass hummingbird feeders will always seal on a plastic but mostly a metal body; early on the seal will be perfect whereas after several months or a couple of years of screwing and tightening, the metal body joint can disfigure.
Plastic nectar reservoirs sealed on a plastic hummingbird feeder bodies are the perfect medium - with plastic on plastic creating a reliable seal.
Hummingbird feeders are made in glass because nectar just to taste better that way, and fresher for longer.
Don't give up on your glass hummingbird feeder for now when issues like this can arise with feeders made in material the most common nectar feeders are made in.
To avoid a leaky glass hummingbird feeder of any kind in the future, rely on what is a leak proof hummingbird feeder which is a saucer shape feeder, as oppose to an inverted bottle which is essentially an upside down bottle.
Metal base will be cause
Even the best glass hummingbird feeders can leak if its not kept upright, as nectar can spill via the port wells where hummingbirds dip their tongues in to sip nectar.
Similarly, wind can cause the nectar to spill if it isn't stabilized and so to can leaks be caused by visiting large nuisance birds or whenever a squirrel climbs all over the feeder that is sure to cause it to leak profusely.
Having said all that, did you know metal or plastic - not glass in itself - can change in size due to rising or low temperatures, along with the possibility of high humidity causing the hummingbird feeder to deform ever so slightly.
So where the hummingbird feeder glass bottle was once sealed on the metal or plastic body, now the joint where both ends are screwed on have opened up ever so slightly.
Result of that is nectar beginning to leak which can make subtle drips on the ground.
Plastic in particularly can change shape in the littlest which is enough to cause leaks. Less so can metal change shape due to temperature change, although there is still a possibility, especially if the metal is really flimsy.
Hummingbird feeders that change shape due to temperature are poorly made, with a thick but light steel needed as well as a durable plastic required for the bottle - to avoid slight shrinkage or an expanding plastic body.
Glass reservoir itself won't change shape but the metal or plastic its mounted to can be the cause of leaks.
Summary
Bear in mind all material used to make a hummingbird feeder are prone to leaks, especially the metal or plastic used to construct the bodies.
Glass in itself won't be the cause although is worth noting glass nectar bottles that screw on to its metal or plastic body won't guarantee a tight seal.
A once tight seal will become jeopardized due to wear and tear or if the feeder is poorly looked after - which will create an opening wherever the two materials connect - thus will cause nectar to leak via the joints which is how the feeder is disassembled.
With that an unstable hummingbird feeder wherever it happens to be hung can leak nectar as it will spill out of the port wells as it swings in the wind.
Full of nectar hummingbird feeders while in transport - such as carrying the feeder from the kitchen to its hanging point in the yard - can also cause leaks which can appear as if there's a real issue with the feeder, when there isn't.
Glass in itself won't be an issue but the metal or plastic body can expand in a way it allows nectar to seep through.
Change of season can be blamed because plastic in particular can shrink or expend due to rise in temperature or humidity.
Metal can to but plastic will also change shape or warp due to wear and tear which is when leaks can possibly happen.
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