How to Store, Handle & Install Your Gaskets Correctly
Proper storage, careful handling, and correct installation all matter for a tight, reliable seal. Here's how to get each one right.
Download Gasket Storage & Handling Guide
Lay flat, fully supported
Store soft and non-metallic gaskets flat in stacks. Avoid hanging.
Keep in original packaging
Leave gaskets packaged until installation — it's the best protection against distortion and dust. Sealed poly bags add protection.
Wear gloves
Spiral-wound metal edges can be sharp.
Keep faces clean & undamaged
Protect sealing faces and edges from impacts and from any build-up of dust or particulate.
Cool, dry & dark
Keep away from heat, humidity, water, oil, chemicals and vapours, direct sunlight / UV, and ozone from high-voltage equipment.
First in, first out
Rotate stock by date and track shelf life so nothing is fitted past its useful life.
4–27 °C (40–80 °F) · 40–75% relative humidity · no windows · low- or non-UV lighting · minimal dust · no chemicals or high-voltage sources nearby.
ELASTOMER
The rubber binder ages: do not use beyond ~4 years. Heat, sunlight and ozone speed this up.
PTFE
Inert, no binders — virtually indefinite shelf life when kept clean and dry.
Little ageing concern, but moisture causes oxidation. Usually pre-treated — consult the manufacturer.
- Store in original packaging with spacer clips intact.
- Never lift by the outer ring alone — support the windings and inner ring, or they can dislodge under their own weight.
- Large diameter (>24"): keep on the mounting board, in packaging, until seated between the flanges.
32–40" : 3 people · 40–80" : 4 people · over 80" : 6–8 people
Storage life and handling vary by material. Always follow the manufacturer's guidance, and inspect any gasket before installation. Questions about a specific part? Talk to your A.R. Thomson Group Inc. representative.
Clean the surfaces
Ensure mating surfaces are clean, dry, and free of residue, old gasket material, or debris. Wipe thoroughly with a clean cloth.
Inspect the gasket
Check for tears, folds, or deformities. Confirm it matches the size, shape, and material specified for the application.
Apply sealant, if needed
Follow the manufacturer's instructions to apply sparingly and evenly to one side of the gasket or the mating surface. Let it set for the recommended time.
Align the gasket
Place the gasket onto one mating surface. Align it with bolt holes or edges — if it's asymmetrical, confirm the correct orientation.
Join the surfaces
Bring the second mating surface over the gasket. Match bolt holes or connections accurately before fastening.
Tighten in a star pattern
Gradually tighten bolts in a crisscross or star pattern — never fully tighten one bolt before the others. Use a torque wrench if a setting is specified.
Follow torque specifications
Adhere strictly to manufacturer torque specs. Over-tightening can damage the gasket; under-tightening can cause leaks.
Double-check tightness
Once all bolts are torqued to spec, do a final pass — confirm every bolt is even and none are loose. Recheck torque if needed.
Allow setting time
If sealant was used, give it sufficient time to cure before the assembly is put under operational pressure.
Leak test
After the recommended setting time, visually inspect around the gasket area for any signs of leakage.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific gasket and application. Use the specified torque sequence to avoid damage. If reusing a gasket, confirm it's free of deformity or damage first.
A proper seal starts with proper technique. Questions about torque specs or sealant for a specific part? Talk to your A.R. Thomson Group Inc. representative.
Lay flat, fully supported
Store soft and non-metallic gaskets flat in stacks. Avoid hanging.
Keep in original packaging
Leave gaskets packaged until installation — it's the best protection against distortion and dust. Sealed poly bags add protection.
Wear gloves
Spiral-wound metal edges can be sharp.
Keep faces clean & undamaged
Protect sealing faces and edges from impacts and from any build-up of dust or particulate.
Cool, dry & dark
Keep away from heat, humidity, water, oil, chemicals and vapours, direct sunlight / UV, and ozone from high-voltage equipment.
First in, first out
Rotate stock by date and track shelf life so nothing is fitted past its useful life.
4–27 °C (40–80 °F) · 40–75% relative humidity · no windows · low- or non-UV lighting · minimal dust · no chemicals or high-voltage sources nearby.
ELASTOMER
The rubber binder ages: do not use beyond ~4 years. Heat, sunlight and ozone speed this up.
PTFE
Inert, no binders — virtually indefinite shelf life when kept clean and dry.
Little ageing concern, but moisture causes oxidation. Usually pre-treated — consult the manufacturer.
- Store in original packaging with spacer clips intact.
- Never lift by the outer ring alone — support the windings and inner ring, or they can dislodge under their own weight.
- Large diameter (>24"): keep on the mounting board, in packaging, until seated between the flanges.
32–40" : 3 people · 40–80" : 4 people · over 80" : 6–8 people
Storage life and handling vary by material. Always follow the manufacturer's guidance, and inspect any gasket before installation. Questions about a specific part? Talk to your A.R. Thomson Group Inc. representative.
Clean the surfaces
Ensure mating surfaces are clean, dry, and free of residue, old gasket material, or debris. Wipe thoroughly with a clean cloth.
Inspect the gasket
Check for tears, folds, or deformities. Confirm it matches the size, shape, and material specified for the application.
Apply sealant, if needed
Follow the manufacturer's instructions to apply sparingly and evenly to one side of the gasket or the mating surface. Let it set for the recommended time.
Align the gasket
Place the gasket onto one mating surface. Align it with bolt holes or edges — if it's asymmetrical, confirm the correct orientation.
Join the surfaces
Bring the second mating surface over the gasket. Match bolt holes or connections accurately before fastening.
Tighten in a star pattern
Gradually tighten bolts in a crisscross or star pattern — never fully tighten one bolt before the others. Use a torque wrench if a setting is specified.
Follow torque specifications
Adhere strictly to manufacturer torque specs. Over-tightening can damage the gasket; under-tightening can cause leaks.
Double-check tightness
Once all bolts are torqued to spec, do a final pass — confirm every bolt is even and none are loose. Recheck torque if needed.
Allow setting time
If sealant was used, give it sufficient time to cure before the assembly is put under operational pressure.
Leak test
After the recommended setting time, visually inspect around the gasket area for any signs of leakage.
Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific gasket and application. Use the specified torque sequence to avoid damage. If reusing a gasket, confirm it's free of deformity or damage first.
A proper seal starts with proper technique. Questions about torque specs or sealant for a specific part? Talk to your A.R. Thomson Group Inc. representative.