Watertight connectors come in a variety of shapes and sizes but maybe you’ve never seen how the take-up clamps work and how they can be a vital key to the entire process of sealing storm or sanitary collection systems.
In this video we’re going to show you how a large concrete pipe and our patented PSX: Direct Drive was able to create a watertight seal despite a lot of extra slack in the rubber at the 12 o’clock position.
Watertight Connectors – A Definition
A watertight connector is simply a resilient rubber molded boot or gasket that conforms to ASTM’s such as ASTM C 923 – Standard Specification for Resilient Connectors Between Reinforced Concrete Manhole Structures, Pipes and Laterals.
The connectors provide a seal between the manhole and the pipe that is flexible, resilient and long lasting over traditional means of connecting systems together such as mortar mix.
Different Types of Connectors
Connectors literally come in a variety of shapes, sizes and functions due to the vast amount of different pipes and system requirements found around the United States and Canada.
- Mechanical connectors – These connectors have an internal mechanism made of steel or glass filled nylon that create an outward force inside the boot to create a seal in the manhole
- Compression seals – These conform to ASTM standards as well, but do not require the same tools as mechanized connectors and as the name suggests, they “compress” around the pipe
- Cast-in seals – These types of connectors are cast into the structure at the precast plant and can provide the same types of sealing forces that mechanical and compression seals provide
Every type of manhole connector has it’s advantages and disadvantages when it comes to capabilities, pricing and function of the product. And every municipality has a different opinion on what works best.
That’s why Press-Seal offers such a wide variety of products to accommodate the market as best we can.
Sealing the Connector
Connecting the pipe to the manhole is simply done in about 3 easy steps:
- Insert the pipe into the connector
- Add the necessary take-up clamps
- Tightly screw housings with proper torque wrench