No matter their contents, pipes are prone to damage and leaks and need to be repaired to avoid any problems. A pipe repair clamp is a convenient tool for fixing pipes. As the name suggests, it is a clamp that holds the pipe in place while it is being repaired or a new branch is being added to the existing pipeline. With a repair clamp in place, repairs can be done on pipelines in operation or non-operational state. Repair clamps are efficient and easy to use on pipes of different sizes and materials.
Repair clamps are an important tool widely used to repair most leaking, cracked, or damaged pipes in an industrial setting. They are used on gas or water pipes and help quickly mitigate problems associated with leaking and damaged pipes, thus reducing downtime and other expenses. They are also effective for corrosion leaks, reinforcing old pipes in critical sections, and sealing decommissioned connections.
Some common types of repair clamps include:
- Full circle repair clamp: This clamp is made from one or more stainless-steel bands that encircle the pipe. It is attached with fabricated or cast lugs through which nuts or bolts are used to close the clamp. They are used for many pipe types, including steel, cast iron, asbestos, iron, aluminum, glass, and plastic.
- Redi-clamp: Used to repair pinhole leaks, punctures, and splits in rigid copper, stainless steel, or plastic pipes. These clamps have a full circumferential gasket fitted with two armor plates to allow a complete seal around the pipe. The stainless-steel band provides strength and flexibility and is corrosion-resistant, while drop-in bolts make installation quick and easy.
- Bell-joint clamp: These clamps use bell and spigot joints to fit both caulked joints and rubber gaskets of cast-iron and ductile pipes in varying sizes. They are easy to install and permanently stop or prevent leaks.