It’s that time of year when there’s a chill in the air, the leaves are beginning to change, and Halloween décor lines every home awaiting trick-or-treaters. But if you work with portable piping systems, spooks and surprises are the last thing you want.
Trust us, nothing’s quite as scary as a piping system failing due to leaks, equipment breakdown, or faulty installation. Imagine the horror that ensues with such failures in municipal sanitary sewer applications. Talk about a “Nightmare on Main Street!”
Jokes aside, Wolf Creek Portable Piping Products understands the challenges of setting up reliable temporary piping systems quickly, often in response to emergencies. That’s why we don’t just supply the industry’s best temporary pipe, fittings, and support tools, but we also advise our customers on the proper care and maintenance of those products.
This spooky season, we want to remind you about the importance of caring for your O-rings — the hard-working rubber seals that create a tight, leak-proof connection in Genuine Bauer quick couplers and other fittings.
Follow these five steps to keep your O-rings in top-notch condition:
#1: Keep O-rings Well-Lubricated
When installing a temporary piping system, be sure to use a protective grease or oil to properly lubricate the O-rings on your Genuine Bauer fittings. We recommend applying a thin layer of lubricating product, such as Oatney paste or WD-40, directly to the O-ring during assembly.
This step will help to protect the O-ring from damage in fluctuating temperatures, prevent hand and finger injuries, and ensure optimal performance throughout your project.
#2: Replace O-rings After Every Application
You read that right — your O-rings should be replaced after every application to ensure proper sealing performance. Reusing O-rings is not recommended. Doing so will degrade the elasticity of the rubber over time, which could lead to hazardous and costly leaks. Play it safe by keeping plenty of Genuine Bauer replacement O-rings in stock and ready to use for each application.
#3: Store O-rings Properly
Storing your inventory of Genuine Bauer O-rings correctly will ensure they maintain their quality and performance. Store your O-rings in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or sources of heat and in their original packaging. Avoid hanging, stretching, or compressing your unused O-rings to preserve their original shape.
#4: Only Use Genuine Bauer O-rings for Genuine Bauer Fittings
It may seem obvious, but only Genuine Bauer O-rings are compatible with Genuine Bauer quick-connect fittings. An inferior, knock-off O-ring simply won’t create the tight, reliable connection you need for your temporary piping projects. Check your O-rings for the “Bauer” stamp, just like on your Genuine Bauer fittings.
#5: Safely Open and Close Pipe Fittings
If your O-rings aren’t properly lubricated, it can make it difficult to connect your temporary pipe fittings. And, if the fitting is not closed correctly, the sharp metal edges can actually cut or displace the O-ring, leading to leakage issues.
The Warhammer multi-closing tool makes it faster, easier, and safer to open and close pipe fittings, including both Bauer and Anfor connections. You can be confident your fittings are connected correctly, while minimizing the risk of pinched, crushed, or lacerated fingers.
Order Genuine Bauer O-rings in Bulk
At Wolf Creek, we stock hundreds of O-rings in a wide range of sizes, including Genuine Bauer O-rings in sizes 2 to 8 inches. We also stock O-rings for specialized mineral oil applications in sizes 4 to 8 inches, which can withstand temperatures ranging from -31 to 257 degrees Fahrenheit.
Need a larger size? Wolf Creek carries ‘B’ type and Anfor O-rings in 10-inch and 12-inch sizes, as well as a large inventory of red rubber flange gaskets for flanged fittings in sizes 4 to 12 inches.
Contact us today to order your bulk O-rings for Genuine Bauer fittings (or Anfor and B-type fittings) and be ready for your next portable piping project!