News and Tips
STOP IT®ACTIVE Leak Repair
InduMar has developed an active leak repair
method using FIX STIX
TM
epoxy (included in every kit of STOP IT
®
) in combination with our repair tape. The
application is simple; some of you may have
seen us demonstrating this method at one of
our many tradeshows.
When to attempt an active leak repair.
This method can be used in low pressure, and
gravity flow situations. A good 'rule of
thumb' is to stop the leak with your thumb
first. If the pressure rapidly builds to the
point that you cannot hold your thumb in place,
you need to reduce line pressure further.
Leaks can be deceiving. A slow drip from a
fitting of a fully pressurized line looks
like an easy repair, it's not. The full line
pressure is squeezing out of a very small
area, appearing as a drip. The force involved
is as great as the full line pressure. Fitting
leaks in general are difficult to repair
under pressure. The flow is often directed
out of the fitting, down the length of the
pipe, making epoxy penetration impossible.
We have been able to repair leaks where abrasive
materials have worn through a 90° elbow, and
the epoxy is forced directly against the flow.
Here is how it's done:
|
Step 1.
|
Blend FIX STIX
TM
epoxy until it is uniform in
color. Roll epoxy into a ball.
|
|
Step 2.
|
Open STOP IT
®
pouch and unroll 2" to 4"
of the tape.
|
|
Step 3.
|
Press epoxy ball into
the tape so that it penetrates
through the fiberglass.
If repairing thin wall
pipe, flatten epoxy on
the tape to avoid excessive
epoxy penetration into
the pipe.
|
|
Step 4.
|
Activate the STOP IT
®
resins by immersing
roll in water. Center
the epoxy over the
hole and use the tension
of the STOP IT
®
to force the epoxy
into the leak. Pull
the STOP IT
®
tight, making sure
that you do not rotate
the epoxy past the hole.
|
|
Step 5.
|
Continue with the
STOP IT
®
repair as normal.
|
If you would like to discuss
this method further, give us
a call at
(800) 523-STOP (7867).
STOP IT
®
Storage Temperatures
STOP IT
®
should always be stored between
40°F. and 83°F. If you are
storing your STOP IT
®
stock in a hot warehouse the
potential for resin migration
exists. At excessive temperatures,
the STOP IT
®
resin will not go bad, but
it may flow through the fiberglass,
and concentrate on one side
of the roll. We recommend that
you keep it in a climate controlled
area. If you have customers
who keep the product in their
storeroom, please make sure
they are aware of the proper
storage temperatures (the storage
temperature requirements are
printed on each case of product).
High temperatures in the field
can also cause problems for
the STOP IT
®
applicator. The warmer the
resins are, the faster the
product will set. We recommend
that the STOP IT
®
be cooled, before opening,
to allow more working time.
A ten minute soaking of the
unopened foil STOP IT
®
pouch in cold water should
help. A fast set and cure
are one of the benefits of
The STOP IT
®
Pipe Repair System, and even
at normal temperatures the
applicator should work quickly
with both the FIX STIX
TM
and STOP IT
®
.
STOP IT
®
Multiple Roll Application
More than one person should
be used when repairing larger
diameter pipes that require
a multiple roll application.
We recommend that one person
open and activate the rolls,
passing the product to
the applicator. Ideally,
the foam from the first
roll should carry into
the fiberglass of the subsequent
roll, and so on, with the
applicator finishing the
resins only after all of
the STOP IT
®
has been applied.
If you have any questions,
give us a call at (800)
523-STOP (7867).
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