Got a stubborn flange to seal on a 12-inch steam line last Thursday by warming the gasket with a heat gun for about 30 seconds before setting it.

Has anyone else found a good trick for getting a tight seal on cold, stiff gaskets without damaging them?

3 comments

3 Comments

Honestly how bad are these gaskets that they need special treatment. Just tighten the bolts properly and they usually seat fine once the line heats up. Seen guys do way too much for a simple seal.

jade_jenkins21d ago

Just tighten the bolts properly" works until you're fighting a rock-hard gasket in the cold. A little heat makes it pliable so it actually seats right away.

betty_kelly921d ago

Warming a gasket sounds like a shortcut that invites trouble. You risk baking out the oils or making it brittle, which guarantees a leak later. Just follow the bolt torque sequence and let the system heat do the work, that's the whole point of a gasket.