Damage. cockpit The boat is always stressful for the owner, especially if the trouble occurred in the middle of the season or just before the planned fishing. air-valveThis small but critical component often causes a loss of tightness, and its replacement at home is quite possible even for a beginner with a minimum set of tools and patience.
Independent valve-repair Not only does it save you a lot of money, but it also gives you invaluable experience in servicing your equipment, which on the water can be more important than money. lock-up and the technology of its installation, so that your PVC I could keep the pressure on again and enjoy safe operation.
Before you start active action, you need to clearly understand the design of the unit, as different manufacturers use different types of connections and threading mechanisms. discharge at the most inopportune moment, so carefully study the features of your boat.
Diagnostics of malfunction and selection of a new valve
The first step towards restoration of tightness is to accurately determine the location of the air leak, as sometimes a damaged valve is mistaken for microcracks in the tissue of the cylinder next to it. To check, you need to inflate the boat to working pressure and abundantly lubricate the suspicious area with a soap solution or a special spray-indicator, carefully watching for the appearance of characteristic stains. airbubbleIf the bubbles appear in the area of the thread or the valve petals, then the problem lies in a leakage of the connection or mechanical damage to the mechanism itself.
There are many varieties. air-valveAnd it's important to choose the one that fits your cylinder in terms of the diameter of the thread and the type of fitting, and the most common ones are the Swallow's Tail, Brig, Frigate and the universal threaded variants, which are different in the way they attach to the fabric and shape. sealing-ring.
- 🔍 Type of thread: The diameter and pitch of the old valve thread must be measured, as there are practically no universal standards in the PVC industry.
- 📏 Base height: critical parameter, especially if the valve is in a hard-to-reach place or under the jar, where the height of the protruding part is important.
- 🛡️ The material of the housing: it is preferable to choose valves made of durable plastic with brass or stainless insert, resistant to corrosion and ultraviolet light.
When buying a new part, be sure to pay attention to the configuration: not only the kit itself should be present in the set. valve-caseThe absence of keys can seriously complicate the installation process, since it is impossible to twist the valve with your hands without the risk of damaging the thread or fabric of the cylinder.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to install a valve whose diameter of thread does not coincide with the hole in the boat "traction" - this will lead to the failure of the thread and final damage to the product.
If you are not sure about the model, it is best to dismantle the old element and take it with you to the store as a sample for comparison to eliminate the error in the selection process. repair-pack.
Necessary tools and workplace preparation
Quality PVC repair It requires not only the right parts, but also a well-organized workspace, where nothing will distract from the process. You need a smooth, clean surface, protected from dust and direct sunlight, because getting dirt under the glue or inside the thread can reduce all efforts.
To do the work, you will need a standard set of tools, which is usually in the garage of any home craftsman, but some items will have to be purchased specifically for this operation. polymer tissue.
- ✂️ Special valve twist key: often comes bundled with a new valve or sold separately in remap kits.
- 🧼 Degreasing: acetone, alcohol or a special PVC cleaner to prepare the surface around the hole.
- 🔧 Flat-slingers or tweezers: You may need to remove old fragments of the seal or debris from the hole.
- 🧽 Clean rags: no pile, for thorough cleaning of the working area before installation.
If you plan not just to replace the valve but also to strengthen the space around it, you may also need a shrink dryer or PVC glue, although in most cases it is easy enough to install a new one correctly. lock-up.
☑️ Preparation for valve replacement
Technology of dismantling of old valve
The process of removing the old valve is one of the most important stages, since careless actions can lead to damage to the tissue of the balloon around the hole, which will require more complex work. patch-repairBefore starting work, make sure the boat is completely deflated and the fabric in the valve area is not stretched, which will provide free access to the thread.
Put the key in the valve slots and start twisting it counterclockwise with moderate force. If the valve is "stiff" or contaminated, do not use excessive force so as not to twist the thread in the fabric - it is better to drop a little bit. penetrating (e.g., WD-40) on the thread, trying not to touch the PVC fabric itself, and wait a few minutes.
After the outer part of the valve is twisted, you need to remove the inner part (base) that remained in the balloon. To do this, carefully tuck the edges of the base with tweezers or pliers through the hole and pull it out, trying not to scratch. surface balloon.
⚠️ Note: When removing an old valve, it is strictly forbidden to use sharp objects (knife, screwdriver) to pick inside the hole, as one awkward movement can break through the tissue.
After dismantling, thoroughly clean the hole of residues of old sealant, sand, silt or oxidized metal using tweezers and dry rags. sealer lie flat and provide the necessary tightness of the connection.
What to do if the thread is broken?
If you feel that the thread has been twisted along with the fabric, don't try to force it any further, and then you'll need to put in an internal and external patch of PVC with gluing to restore the integrity of the landing site, which is a more complex procedure that requires the use of glue and hair dryer.
Comparison of valve types for PVC boats
Understanding the differences between valve types will help not only in repairs, but also in the future when choosing a boat or additional accessories. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages related to reliability, ease of pumping and maintainability.
The most popular on the market are threaded valves, which provide high leakproofness and are easy to change, but they require a special key. Swallow tail valves are easier to install and do not require a key to install, but can be less reliable at very high pressure.
| Valve type | Method of attachment | Reliability | Difficulty replacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carved | Rolling into base | High. | Medium (key needed) |
| Swallow's tail | Insertion and rotation | Medium | Low (no key) |
| Universal. | Combined | High. | Medium |
| Automatic. | Carving/Insert | High. | Tall (electronics) |
When choosing a replacement, always focus on what was originally there, as the conversion of the seat to another type of valve is a time-consuming process that requires professional equipment for the installation of a new valve. heat-treatment.
Tip: Lubricate the thread of the new valve with silicone lubrication before installation – this will facilitate future replacement and prevent the metal from sticking to the plastic.
Installation of a new valve and sealing
Installation of the new element begins with a complete check: make sure that the valve has a new rubber or silicone sealing ring, which comes with the kit. elasticity.
Insert the base of the valve into the cylinder opening so that the sealing ring fits tightly to the fabric around the perimeter. Then wind the outer threaded part of the valve onto the base using a special key from the kit, and tighten the connection to the end, but without fanaticism, so as not to damage the external threaded part of the valve. plastic-carving.
After the mechanical installation, it is recommended to check the tightness of the connection again with soap solution before completely inflating the boat to working pressure. If bubbles do not appear, you can leave the boat pumped for several hours to control the pressure drop, which will be the final quality test. performed.
- 🔄 Uniformity of tightening: twist the valve evenly, without distortion, so that the sealing ring compresses equally on all sides.
- 🧹 Carving purity: Before assembly, make sure that there are no grains of sand or villi on the carving that can break the tightness.
- 🌡️ Temperature: Install at room temperature, as in the cold the plastic becomes brittle and can crack.
If you notice that the valve is spinning too easily and does not hold pressure, it is possible that the length of the thread is not enough or the seat is blocked, which requires the use of additional PVC sealant or replacing the entire tissue.
⚠️ Note: Do not use oil products (gasoline, oil, solidol) for lubricating sealants, as they destroy rubber and the PVC material itself - only silicone or soap solution!
The main secret of success is the purity of the thread and the use of a new sealing ring, complete with the valve.
Frequent mistakes in self-repair
Even following instructions, beginners often make common mistakes that can lead to re-pressurization or damage to the boat. One of the most common mistakes is using inappropriate tightening tools, such as pliers without a gasket, which leads to slicing of the valve faces.
Also often ignored is the need to degrease the surface around the valve before installation, causing dust and fat to remain under the seal, creating microchannels to exit air. The quality of surface preparation directly affects the durability of repairs.
Another mistake is to try to “improve” tightness with glue or sealants where they are not needed – modern valves are designed to work dry, and excess chemistry can only harm by dissolving plastic or making future impossible. demolition.
Be attentive to details, take your time and check every step of the work and your boat will last many more seasons without pumping problems.
Can I use glue to fix the valve?
In 99 percent of cases, the glue is unnecessary and even harmful. The valve is held by mechanically compressing the seal with threads. The glue is used only if the opening in the tissue is damaged, and then the technology is completely different with patches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you replace the valve on the boat without removing it from the frame or transom?
Yes, in most cases, the replacement is done directly on the assembled boat, the main thing is to ensure convenient access to the valve and no tension of the fabric at the repair site, if the valve is located in a difficult place, you may have to partially disassemble the structure or blow out adjacent cylinders to access.
What if the new valve is not suitable for threading?
If the threads don't match, don't force the installation. You need to find a valve for your boat model. Sometimes it helps to use adapters, but it's a temporary solution. You'd better find the original valve or the universal analogue with the right diameter.
How often should I change the valves on a PVC boat?
Valves have no strict shelf life and are only changed as needed, if they break, leakage or mechanical damage, and can last for decades when used carefully, and are recommended to be checked before each season.
Can I pump the boat with a compressor immediately after the valve is replaced?
Immediately after installation, it is better to first inflate the boat with your mouth or foot pump to a small pressure to check the leakiness with soap solution. If everything is dry, you can apply the pressure with the compressor, monitoring the pressure gauge so as not to exceed the pressure pressure pressure pressure. work pressure.