Hi everyone. It’s Doug Riseden, technical support manager for Hymax USA.

Here are some new installation tips and tricks for just before the holiday season.

Use a torque wrench

Every Hymax product has a label with the necessary torque force for installation. To ensure the clamp or coupling is tightened correctly, use a torque wrench that corresponds to the force listed on the label. A torque wrench will give you peace of mind that the clamp or coupling is tightened properly. While there are several sophisticated torque wrenches on the market, some of which are electronic, a standard torque wrench will work fine. It’s simple, accurate and inexpensive.

Don’t heat HYMAX gaskets

I recently received an email describing how a pipe installer told a city inspector that heating a HYMAX gasket with a torch will help the HYMAX seal properly.

This is not accurate. Heating the gasket provides no added advantages and will void the HYMAX’s warranty. It can only damage it and prevent it from working the way it’s designed.

The HYMAX works with a two gasket system – one inner and one outer. The inner gasket rests on the pipe and can be removed to accommodate larger OD pipes. The outer gasket is a hydraulically assisted. As the water enters, it fills the outer gasket’s reservoir, providing additional sealing pressure and continuous dynamic deflection for up to four degrees in any direction. This unique sealing makes the HYMAX exceptionally strong and substantially reduces future breaks.

Anticipate events when ordering product
With holidays coming up, remember to have enough repair clamps and couplings for each size of pipe if you are the buyer for your department. Think ahead. If you are away on vacation, make sure you have enough stock for when you are gone. If severe weather is expected, make sure you’re prepared for more repairs than usual. Nothing is worse than repair crews not having what they need at 2 a.m.

If you have a question, just send it along to <a href="mailto:doug.riseden@HYMAXusa look these up.com”>doug.riseden@HYMAXusa.com. Happy holidays!