Tap Holes are leaking

[3GoatHill]

I am using plastic 5/16 leader tree saver spouts on tubes into a bucket. There seems to be some sap leaking from the tap hole. Could this be because I inadvertently drilled the holes two inches deep instead of an inch and a half? Should I be concerned about this? It's still running into the buckets pretty good, just some leaking out of the hole. :?:

[SmellsLikeSyrupNH]

The freezes and warm ups can cause this...its not that big of a deal. I had icicles under a bunch of my taps the other day and still tons in my buckets, its nothing to be concerned with. It probably looks worse that it actually is because water expands as it freezes and a small amount iof water can produce a large icicle.

[Evets]

I've had the same experience and agree it's not really a problem. Just check to make sure the tap hasn't come loose. I've had that happen too. If it is, just gently tap it back into place.

[325abn]

You may have split the tree. Caerfull not to tap the spiles in to hard.

[happy thoughts]

Last possibility is tap holes that were not perfectly round when drilled. Easy to do if the drill wobbles a little. I wouldn't worry about leaking as there's not much you can do about it short of trying to gently push the taps back in if they un-inserted themselves due to freezing. The important thing is the sap is finally running. Consider the sap you lose a sacrifice back to the sap gods and be thankful for every drop that makes it into your buckets :)