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Many O-rings are a commodity and can be found at hardware stores for much less then when packaged by a pool company. | Many O-rings are a commodity and can be found at hardware stores for much less then when packaged by a pool company. | ||
| − | O-rings sit in a groove (or gland) and seal through compression. Any joint sealing with an O-ring should nor be over-tightened. Over-tightening an O-ring joint can deform the O-ring and lead to leaks. | + | O-rings sit in a groove (or gland) and seal through compression. Any joint sealing with an O-ring should nor be over-tightened. Over-tightening an O-ring joint can deform the O-ring and lead to leaks. Hand tighten unions with an O-ring and do not use a wrench to tighten them. |
If a fitting with an O-ring is leaking do not simply crank it down to try and stop the leak. That can crack the union, or pipe, or further deform the O-ring. Open up the joint and examine the O-ring for nicks, cracks or deterioration. Replace the O-ring if it is damaged or has lost its flexibility and is deformed. | If a fitting with an O-ring is leaking do not simply crank it down to try and stop the leak. That can crack the union, or pipe, or further deform the O-ring. Open up the joint and examine the O-ring for nicks, cracks or deterioration. Replace the O-ring if it is damaged or has lost its flexibility and is deformed. | ||
| − | All O-rings seal better when [[Pool Lube]] is used on them. | + | All O-rings seal better when [[Pool Lube]] is used on them. [[Pool Lube]] should be used on all new O-rings and small leaks can often be stopped with an application of [[Pool Lube]]. |
Revision as of 20:15, 24 December 2022
O-rings are used throughout a pools plumbing to create watertight seals. You find large O-rings sealing the joints of filter to small O-rings sealing rotating valve stems. O-rings are used to create water tight seals around threaded fittings.
An O-ring is a doughnut shaped ring molded from an elastomer.
Most O-rings we see in pools are Buna N 55 hardness.
For more details about O-Rings see the Parker O-Ring Handbook
O-Rings? O-Yeah! How to Select, Design, and Install O-Ring Seals is a great video about O-Rings.
Many O-rings are a commodity and can be found at hardware stores for much less then when packaged by a pool company.
O-rings sit in a groove (or gland) and seal through compression. Any joint sealing with an O-ring should nor be over-tightened. Over-tightening an O-ring joint can deform the O-ring and lead to leaks. Hand tighten unions with an O-ring and do not use a wrench to tighten them.
If a fitting with an O-ring is leaking do not simply crank it down to try and stop the leak. That can crack the union, or pipe, or further deform the O-ring. Open up the joint and examine the O-ring for nicks, cracks or deterioration. Replace the O-ring if it is damaged or has lost its flexibility and is deformed.
All O-rings seal better when Pool Lube is used on them. Pool Lube should be used on all new O-rings and small leaks can often be stopped with an application of Pool Lube.
