Spent 3 hours chasing a steam leak on a 6-inch line yesterday

Turns out the flange gasket was just slightly off center, and I didn't notice until the third time I fired it up. Has anyone else found a solid trick for keeping those big gaskets aligned while you torque?

2 comments

2 Comments

bettyhunt1mo ago

Caught myself doing the same thing last month on an 8-inch line. Ended up using a couple of long zip ties to hold the gasket in place while I got the bolts started. Felt like a genius until I realized I left one in there and had to fire it up again anyway. Lesson learned: count your zip ties before you crank down. Those big gaskets have a mind of their own sometimes.

dylanwilliams1mo ago

Actually, zip ties are usually nylon and they won't hurt anything if you leave one in there. I've done it before and it just melts into the pipe dope or gets squished flat. The bigger issue is if it gets caught in the flange face and causes a leak path. I always go with a few dabs of gasket adhesive instead, holds the gasket in place and burns off when you fire it up. But yeah, you're right about counting your supplies, just for peace of mind.