The situation when the beloved flyboat It's a slow airborne, it takes any boating by surprise, and most of the time it's not a snag that causes a leak, it's a snag that causes a snag. discharge-valveIt is not necessary to panic and carry the vessel to the service center immediately, since this operation is quite feasible at home with a minimum set of tools and patience.
Quality valve-replacement It requires understanding of the design of the unit and the correct choice of adhesive composition, since it depends on the adhesion to withstand the repair of operational loads on the water. Modern boats made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are repairable, and restore tightness can be even without professional equipment, if you strictly observe the temperature regime and surface preparation technology.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the process of dismantling the old element, preparing the installation site and final sealing to your boat And it's important to understand that saving on materials or rushing into this is not acceptable, because the quality of the seam depends on your safety when you go out.
Diagnostics of malfunction and preparation of tools
Before you start the action, you need to make sure that the air goes through the valve, and not through microcracks in the tissue of the side or seams. To do this, inflate the boat to working pressure and abundantly lubricate the suspicious area with soap solution, paying attention to the appearance of characteristic bubbles around. valve-base.
If bubbles appear strictly around the adjoining plastic element to the fabric, it means that the tightness of the adhesive seam is broken or the valve body itself is deformed. In some cases, it is enough to simply tighten the inside or replace the sealing ring, but if the plastic is cracked or the "mustache" of the attachment is broken, you will need a full-fledged valve. switch-over.
⚠️ Note: Do not try to seal the cracked valve body with ordinary superglue or epoxy resin - these compositions are not elastic and under air pressure at the junction with the soft PVC tissue again form a leak.
To successfully carry out the work, you will need a specific set of tools that are better prepared in advance so as not to interrupt the gluing process. The basis of the set is: a sharp knife (stationary or boot), medium-grain sandpaper, degreasing (acetone or special PVC cleaner), brush and, of course, the brush itself. new-valve.
Special attention should be paid to the choice of adhesive, as universal household compounds will not be suitable here. You need a two-component polyurethane adhesive or a specialized single-component composition for PVC, which after polymerization remains elastic and durable, also it will not be superfluous to prepare a load weighing 3-5 kg or a special pressing roller to ensure close contact of the glued surfaces.
Choosing the Right Valve for Your Boat
The inflatable accessories market offers many modifications, and it is important not to go wrong with the choice, as seat sizes may vary. The most common are Bravo type valves with screw locking mechanism, which are used on most budget and medium-sized boats, such as: Flagship, Solar. or hunter.
More expensive models can be equipped with valves such as "Layman" (Layman) or specific modifications with protection from sand and water. When buying a new element, be sure to compare the diameter of the thread and the height of the "skirt" (cushion) with the old sample so that there are no problems with the installation.
The key parameter is also the fabrication material: quality valves are made of durable plastic, resistant to ultraviolet light and mechanical stress. Cheap analogues can crack at the first active pump with a high pressure pump, so it is better to choose original parts or proven brands.
If you are not sure about the model, it is better to take a picture of an old valve and show the photo to the seller in the boating store. repair-packIt will perfectly fit in the old place.
Dismantling the old valve without tissue damage
The process of removing the old valve is the most important step, since careless actions can lead to a cut in the tissue of the side, which will require a serious patch. PVC material.
First, you need to deflate the boat completely and provide access to the inside of the side, where the valve returns, and if the boat's design does not allow you to get your hand inside, you may have to partially paste the valve glass or use a mirror to control the process.
Carefully putting a knife on the edges of a plastic skirt, try to cut or pick out the remnants of old glue. Movements must be parallel to the surface of the tissue so that the reinforcing layer does not cut through. Gradually cleaning the perimeter, you will get to the center, where the mount is usually the strongest.
What to do if the valve is not removed?
If the glue is holding "deadly", you can try to gently warm the dryer gluing site to a temperature of 50-60 degrees, this will soften the adhesive layer and facilitate dismantling, but you need to warm carefully so as not to melt the PVC fabric itself.
Once the plastic is removed, the fabric will have a layer of old glue that needs to be removed, which can be done mechanically (neat scraping) or chemically (dissolving with a special cleaner), but in any case, the surface must become clean and rough.
Surface preparation and glue application
The quality of the gluing depends on the surface preparation for 90% of the time, so this step needs to be given the utmost attention. polyurethane It will not be able to penetrate the pores of the material and create a monolithic connection.
First, clean the installation site with sandpaper, creating a uniform roughness on the area exceeding the valve diameter by 2-3 cm. Then thoroughly wipe the zone with a degreaser, removing all dust and remnants of fat spots, after which we do not touch this place with our hands.
We apply the first thin layer of glue to the fabric and the back of the new valve, let it dry to a stick state (usually 10-20 minutes, depending on the instructions on the package), and then apply the second layer, which will be the main binder.
☑️ Checklist for surface preparation
It is important to observe the temperature regime: the ideal temperature for gluing is from +20 to +25 ° C. At lower temperatures, polymerization slows down, and at high adhesives can grasp too quickly, without having time to penetrate the tissue structure.
Installation of the new valve and fixation
Once the second layer of glue on the fabric and on the valve has dried up and stopped sticking to the fingers, you can proceed to the final assembly, carefully but confidently insert the new valve into the prepared hole, making sure that it stands exactly in the center and without distortion.
We press the valve against the fabric, pushing air bubbles from under the skirt to the edges. To evenly distribute the pressure, we use a hard roller or rounded tool handle, carefully rolling the entire perimeter of the connection from the center to the edges.
On the inside of the side, we install a threaded response part and twist it, providing mechanical pressing, and if the design allows, you can put a solid flat surface under the glue place and put a load of about 5 kg for 1-2 hours to strengthen the contact.
| Parameter | Meaning/Recommendation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sticking temperature | +20...+25 °C | Optimal Polymerization Mode |
| Time to dry the layers | 10-20 minutes | Before the stickiness disappears |
| Time of complete polymerization | 24-48 hours | Before the first pumping of the boat |
| Pressure pressure. | High. | Use the load or roller |
Once installed, the glue must be allowed to fully polymerize, and although the surface may appear dry after a couple of hours, the final strength of the compound gains within a day and in some cases up to 48 hours, especially when humidity is high.
Leave the boat in a warm room for a day after the valve is replaced. Do not try to speed up the drying process with a hair dryer or battery - harsh heating can create bubbles in the adhesive seam.
Checking tightness and operating tips
Once the drying time has expired, you can do a check, you can pump the boat to working pressure, and you can use the soap solution again to check where the new valve is installed, and the absence of bubbles indicates that you've done a good job.
If you notice small bubbles along the edge, don't get upset -- sometimes you just need to tighten the inside or warm up the joint with a hairdryer (carefully!) and press it back again if the glue still retains elasticity. But it's better to get the perfect result the first time.
⚠️ Warning: For the first pump after repair, do not exceed the working pressure. Let the new compound adapt to the load gradually, especially if it is cool outside.
To extend the life of the new valve, it is recommended to use special caps that protect the thread from getting sand and dirt, and also try not to step on the valves and not to rest heavy objects on them when loading the boat.
The main secret of valve durability is regular washing with clean water after each release to the water, so that the sand does not destroy the sealing rings and threads.
These simple rules will allow your boat to last for years without losing its tightness. properly selected two-component glue for PVC This is the foundation of a successful repair, so do not save on this consumable.
Can I replace the valve on a boat in winter or in a garage at low temperature?
It is strongly recommended not to glue at a temperature below +15 ° C. The PVC glue does not polymerize correctly in the cold, the seam will be loose and leaky. If there is no other way out, you need to organize local heating of the repair site (for example, using a heat gun or heater) until you reach a stable +20 ° C.
What is the difference between a boat valve and an inflatable floor valve (BBV)?
inflatable floor valves (type "pump") are designed for much higher pressure (up to 0.6-0.8 atm) and have a reinforced design and a wider downskirt. You can not put a conventional side valve on the bottom - it will squeeze out pressure, which will lead to instant depressurization and loss of bottom rigidity.
What if there is a specific smell of glue?
A pungent odor after gluing is normal for polyurethane compounds, it will completely wear off within a few days of ventilation, and you should not use a boat indoors or in a car until the smell is gone, as the glue fumes can be toxic.