How to solve the ball valve leakage problem?

What is a ball valve leakage

‌Ball valve leakage‌ refers to the phenomenon that liquid or gas leaks inside or outside the valve body during the use of the ball valve. Ball valve is one of the commonly used valves, and its leakage problems are mainly divided into two types: internal leakage and external leakage.

Hazards of a ball valve leakage

Ball valve leakage can cause the medium (such as gas or liquid) to flow out uncontrolled, which may cause resource waste, environmental pollution, and even safety accidents. For example, in industrial production, gas or liquid leakage may cause equipment damage or production interruption, affecting production efficiency and safety‌.

How to Fix a Leaking Ball Valve

To solve the problem of ball valve leakage, corresponding measures should be taken according to the specific reasons. 

- Find out the cause of the leak

- Perform different ball valve fix operations for different ball valve leak causes

Common ball valve leakage causes:

1. Seal damage: the sealing surface or sealing gasket is worn or aged due to long-term use or medium corrosion.

2. Spool or seat mismatch: the fit between spool and seat is not tight, and there is a gap.

3. Leaking from valve stem: the seal between the valve stem and the valve body fails, resulting in medium leakage.

4. Improper selection of valve material: valve material does not adapt to the medium environment, resulting in corrosion or wear.

5. Improper installation: The valve is not installed in accordance with the specifications, such as the installation position is not correct, and the fastening bolts are not tightened.

6. Improper operation: excessive force or improper operation during use leads to valve damage.

Fix a Leaking Ball Valve according to causes

1. Seal Damage

Fix Method: Check and replace seals

Fix Steps:

- First check whether the sealing surface and sealing gasket are worn or aged.

- If damage is found, new seals should be replaced in time.

- Pay attention to the selection of sealing materials that match the medium environment.

2. Spool or seat mismatch

Fix Method: Adjust the match between the spool and the seat

Fix Steps:

- Check the fit between the spool and the seat.

- If the clearance is too large, try to adjust the spool position or replace the spool and seat with a new one.

3. Leaking from valve stem

Fix Method: Strengthen valve stem seal

Fix Steps:

- Check the seal between stem and valve body.

- If the seal fails, a new seal can be replaced or other sealing methods can be used.

4. Improper selection of valve material

Fix Method: Replace the appropriate valve material:

Fix Steps:

- Select the appropriate valve material according to the medium environment.

- If the original valve material is not suitable for the medium environment, a new valve should be considered.

5. Improper installation

Fix Method: Reinstall the valve

Fix Steps:

- If leakage caused by improper installation is found, the valve should be re-installed.

- Ensure that the installation position is correct, the fastening bolts are tightened and evenly stressed.

6. Improper operation

Fix Method: Standard operation

Fix Steps:

- Train operators to ensure they understand the proper operation of ball valves.

- Avoid valve damage caused by excessive force or improper operation during use.

7. Other measures:

- For leaks caused by impurities in the medium, the inside of the valve can be cleaned regularly.

- For leaks due to high or low temperatures, insulation or cooling measures may be applied.

- In case of emergency, temporary sealing materials such as gaskets or mud can be used for sealing, but fundamental repair measures should be taken as soon as possible.

Note:

Fix ball valve leakage is a professional job. Please consult a professional ball valve manufacturer or ball valve repair expert and strictly follow the ball valve factory‘s recommendations. NSW Valve Manufacturer has more than 20 years of experience in ball valve production. Please contact them to obtain a free ball valve repair manual.

Summary

To solve the problem of ball valve leakage, it is necessary to take targeted measures according to specific reasons. Ball valve leakage can be effectively solved by checking the seal, adjusting the fit of the spool and the seat, strengthening the stem seal, replacing the appropriate material, reinstalling the valve and standardizing the operation. At the same time, regular maintenance and maintenance of the valve is also one of the important measures to prevent leakage.