The situation when flyboat It starts to lose pressure, it always takes you by surprise, especially if you're already on the water or you've just arrived at the fishing site, and it's not the puncture in the balloon that's most often the culprit. pump-valveIt's a squirrel that has stopped holding air because of pollution, mechanical damage, or factory defect, and understanding the design of this junction and being able to quickly diagnose it are key skills for any owner. PVC boats.
Don’t panic if you notice that the balloon is descenting: in 90% of cases, the problem can be solved independently without contacting the service center. The main rule is not to try to pump the boat further until you find the leak site.In this article, we will look at all possible causes of malfunction, from the banal dirt in the mechanism to the need for a complete replacement of the element.
You'll need to do a visual and tactile inspection first, and often it's a simple clogging, where sand or small debris prevents the seal from snugly fitting into the saddle, and it's worth checking if there's any mechanical damage to the petal itself or the spring mechanism that locks the air.
Diagnosis: why the valve poisons the air
The first step in fixing a malfunction is to accurately determine the location and nature of the leak, and if you hear a characteristic whistle or feel the air flow, the problem may be the weakened attachment of the valve itself to the tissue. sealing It is broken along the perimeter of the sticker, not inside the mechanism.
If the air is coming out of the center of the valve, even when the plug is closed, it's a problem inside, and often it's because a grain of sand, a hair, or a villi has been hit by the seal gum. valve-work It's also worth noting the condition of the spring, which is that if it's weakened or rusted, it doesn't put enough pressure on the locking element.
There's a simple test that can tell you where the problem is, pump the boat to working pressure and apply a soap solution to the valve area, and if you see bubbles, you can tell you where the air is going to go.
- 🫧 Central stem - air exits through the hole for the pump.
- 🫧 Side cap - loosely closed or damaged thread.
- 🫧 The base of the valve - air comes out from under the fabric, where the valve is glued into the cylinder.
Cleaning and maintenance of the machinery
In most cases, when ventilatorYou need to twist the center part (stack) counterclockwise, be careful, there's a spring inside that can fire if you don't hold it, and after you remove the rod, carefully examine the inside of the valve that's pasted into the fabric.
Use a soft brush or compressed air to remove dust and sand. If the pollution is severe, you can wash the mechanism with clean water, but after that it must be thoroughly dried before assembly. Pay special attention to the rubber seal: it should not be cracked, tears or fossilized dirt particles.
☑️ Checklist for valve cleaning
Once cleaned, assemble the mechanism and check it. Sometimes simple grease of silicone rubber seals helps, making them more elastic and improving fit. However, do not use petroleum products, as they can destroy the structure of rubber and PVC.
⚠️ Never use WD-40 or other aggressive solvents to clean the inner parts of the valve, as they can damage the rubber seals and the boat material itself.
Adjustment and replacement of seals
If cleaning didn't work, the rubber seal might have worn out, and over time, the rubber loses its elasticity, bluffs in the sun, or cracks in the cold. valve-repair It's all about replacing supplies, and you can find new seals in boat kits or you can find a sized one.
Sometimes the problem is wrong assembly or a broken thread, so make sure the rod is screwed to the stop and fixed in the closed position, and if the thread is broken, the rod may not reach the saddle, leaving a gap for air to escape, and in such cases, a complete replacement of the valve group is required.
For a temporary solution on the water, you can try to twist the rod slightly, but it is risky. It is better to have a new valve in stock. Standard valve sizes for PVC boats are usually 30 mm, 35 mm or 40 mm, but there are also non-standard options from different manufacturers, such as: frigate, hunter or Aqua.
Take a spare valve disassembled (only the inside) with you for fishing - it takes up a minimum of space, but can save the situation if the main mechanism fails.
Complete valve replacement on the boat
When mechanical cleaning and gaskets replacement are not helpful, or if the base of the valve itself is damaged (cracks in plastic, deformity), a complete replacement is required. PVC repair You'll need a new valve, a special glue for PVC (two-component polyurethane) and a piece of reinforced fabric.
The process begins with the dismantling of the old valve, which must be carefully cut or burned out, trying to damage the fabric of the cylinder as little as possible, then the surface is cleaned, degreased and prepared for the new element to be pasted, and it is important to choose a valve of exactly the same diameter and height, so that it will stand in the prepared hole.
The pasting technology requires strict adherence to temperature and drying times: the glue is applied to both glued surfaces, aged until the stick is made, after which the connection is made. For reliability, the method of double gluing is often used or the placement is reinforced with an additional cuff made of fabric.
| Valve type | Diameter (mm) | Materials | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boat standard | 30-35 | Plastic/Brass | The most common type |
| Enhanced. | 40 | brass | For high-pressure boats |
| Bayonette | 25-30 | Plastic. | Used in keel boats |
| Pumping | University | Rubber/Plastic | For a temporary stub. |
⚠️ Warning: Replacement of the glued valve is not recommended in the field or in high humidity. Quality repair requires a dry, warm room and a minimum of 24 hours for the polymerization of the glue.
Which glue is better to use for valve sticking?
For professional repair of PVC boats, two-component polyurethane adhesives (such as Kleyberg or Spezial) are best suited, providing high adhesion, seam elasticity and resistance to water and ultraviolet light. Single-component adhesives are less reliable and more suitable for temporary repairs.
Use of remixes and sealants
For emergency repairs or elimination of leaks, you can use special sealants for PVC. They are liquid compounds that fill small pores and cracks. However, relying on them as the main means for serious valve failure is not necessary - this is a temporary measure.
Remixes often include patches of different shapes and sizes, as well as a tube of glue. slipper And sometimes you just need to seal the joint and press it down, but if there's a problem inside, the sealant can only make things worse by clogging the machine.
When choosing a remake, pay attention to compatibility with the material of your boat. reinforced PVC They require specific adhesives other than those used for Hypalon inflatable boats, and the wrong chemical composition may not stick or even corrode the material.
Prevention and care of inflatable valves
To avoid the problem of sinking cylinders at the most inopportune time, it is important to follow the rules of operation: always cover the valve with a safety cap when the boat is not in use, this will prevent dust, sand and insects from entering the mechanism.
Check the spring tension and seal condition regularly, especially after long storage. Before each season, it is recommended to perform a complete audit of all valves: disassemble, clean and lubricate with silicone, which will prolong the life of the product and ensure safety on water.
Regular valve prevention takes only 10-15 minutes, but saves from loss of buoyancy and expensive repairs in the high season.
Keep the boat deflated but not folded tightly, preferably straightened or suspended, which will reduce the strain on the valve insertion and prevent the seals from deforming, and following these simple rules will allow your boat to serve faithfully for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can the passing valve be temporarily taped with scotch?
It's useless to use regular tape to seal the valve under pressure, because the air will rip it off. You can try using a special reinforced PVC tape, but only as a temporary measure to get to the shore.
Why does the valve only let air in the sun?
In the sun, the air inside the boat heats up and expands, creating excess pressure, if the valve has even a microscopic defect or contamination, it will start to poison under high pressure, and the heat can soften the plastic or rubber of the seal.
How to pick up a valve if there is no marking on the old one?
You need to measure the outer diameter of the glued part (base) and the height of the valve. It is also important to know the type of boat and manufacturer, since many brands (their names are not used).Flagship, Solar., Mev.The best way to take a picture of the valve is to show it to the salesman at the specialty store.
How much does the glue dry after the valve is replaced?
The time of complete polymerization of the adhesive depends on temperature and humidity, but usually takes from 12 to 24 hours. It is recommended to pump the boat to working pressure no earlier than a day after pasting, so that the adhesive gains maximum strength.