How to solve the problem of water leakage in rubber joints?

To solve the problem of leaks in rubber joints, it’s essential to first understand the cause. If the leak originates in the center of the rubber sphere, it’s likely due to insufficient rubber content or poor rubber quality. If the leak is at the rubber sealing surface, it’s possible that a large-diameter flange (not a butterfly valve-specific flange) is being used, with the flange’s inner diameter too large, causing the rubber sealing surface to rupture and leak. Another cause is rubber aging. Everything has a lifespan, and rubber joints are no exception; they also have a service life. Aging of rubber joints has always been a significant concern. Severely aged products should be replaced periodically to ensure the continued use of the pipeline.

Finally, proper installation of the rubber joint can also cause leaks. When installing a rubber joint, it should be in its natural state; avoid any artificial deformation during installation. Deformation will lead to premature damage and reduced effectiveness. When installing this product near the outlet of a water pump, at a pipe bend, or in high-pressure or suspended applications in high-rise buildings, the pipe must have a corresponding support or bracket. The force on the support or bracket must be greater than the axial force; otherwise, the rubber connector should be equipped with an anti-pull-out limiting device.

When installing the grooved rubber joint, ensure that the reinforcing rings at both ends of the ball (the prominent inner steel wire rope) are fully engaged in the flange groove to prevent the ball from pulling away from the flange under pressure. When tightening the bolts, tighten the flat bolts all at once to ensure a complete fit between the ball and the flange. When connecting the rubber joint to the flanged pipe, any excess bolt threads should extend beyond one end of the pipe flange to prevent the threads from damaging or puncturing the protruding part of the rubber joint during compression. Each bolt must be tightened flat and evenly to ensure all bolts open and close uniformly. In harsh environments, in addition to reducing the use of flat washers, spring washers should also be reduced to prevent nut breakage.