STOP IT® FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – You’ve got Stop It® questions, we’ve got answers
What is the Stop It® Pipe Repair System?
Stop It® is used to stop leaks in metal or plastic pipe, reinforce joints and form an anti-corrosion coating. Stop It® is a fiberglass tape coated with polyurethane resins that are activated by immersion in water. Once activated, Stop It® will transform from a “wet” adhesive tape to a hard, machinable “urethane plastic.” Included in each container of the Stop It® Pipe Repair System is a plug of Fix Stix epoxy to plug leaks or cracks or to provide a smooth transition at offsets.
Where is Stop It® used?
Stop It® can be used anywhere there is pipe or rigid hose. Maintenance personnel in chemical industries, oil refining and production, processing plants, bottling facilities, pulp and paper mills, utility companies, wet and dry mining, building maintenance, military and marine operations have all used Stop It®. In addition, hazardous materials response teams use Stop It® for emergency spill control.
What types of repairs are made with Stop It®?
Stop It® is used to repair steam lines, chemical lines, water lines and process lines. Stop It® may also be used on pneumatic, LP gas and Freon lines as well. Stop It® may be used with most chemicals that are compatible with epoxy. The end-user should determine the suitability of Stop It® for their particular application.
How is the Stop It® Pipe Repair System used?
“Dip it, wrap it and rub it!” Stop It® is a hand-applied product – the tool required is a rasp or file to rough score the pipe or hose surface. Stop It® bonds through adhesion and the mechanical bond resulting from the tension of the wrap. Proper surface preparation is key to promoting a better foundation for the repair. The Fix Stix epoxy provided in each kit should be used in conjunction with the Stop It®. After mixing the inner and outer cores until they become uniform in color, the Fix Stix may be used as a fill material for holes and cracks. Fix Stix can also be used to create a smooth transition at offsets or joints. (Fix Stix would be formed into a long rope, wrapped around the offset or joint, and pressed into place before wrapping Stop It® over the leak site.) While wearing gloves, the maintenance technician immerses the roll of Stop It® in water for three to five seconds (squeezing it a few times to get it good and saturated) and wraps it as tightly as possible where needed. Remember the material is conformable and can be used to address leaks or cracks in crosses, tees or elbows. After wrapping the Stop It®, re-wet your hands and begin to compress the resins back into the fiberglass material. Maintain the polishing action until the resins harden to the touch and all bubbling ceases. There will be a slight exotherm to the repair that is part of the chemical process and is quite normal. The heat generated is minimal and will not damage plastic pipe or harm the applicator. Wait 30 minutes for the Stop It® to fully cure before re-pressuring the line.
Can Stop It® Pipe Repair System be used to address active leaks?
Yes, but under certain conditions. It’s important to realize that any drip or stream from the leak will cut through Stop It® resins before they have the chance to setup and harden.
If there isn’t time to wait to allow the pipe to completely drain, but the line pressure has been reduced (by diverting some of the flow by opening valves or by shutting the flow entirely) to 15-20 psi – which might represent remaining line or head pressure – the active leak application technique may be attempted. A quick “rule of thumb” is to try to stop the leak by pressing your thumb or finger on the leak. If the pipe pressure doesn’t build and you are able to keep your thumb on the pipe, then there’s a good chance you will succeed using this technique. If you cannot stop the leak with this test then consider using the Stop It® Pipe Repair Clamp instead of the epoxy then overwrap it with the Stop It® tape
If you are able to stop the flow using the “Rule of Thumb Test” then proceed to put on the gloves and activate the Fix Stix epoxy. Put the epoxy aside and open the pouch of Stop It®. Take a part of the activated plug and press it into the material at a place about 1” – 1.5” from the end of the tape. Use your thumb to press the epoxy into the fiberglass until you see it protrude on the other side of the tape. Pat the epoxy until it is smooth and in full contact with the Stop It® material. Immerse the roll into water and activate in normal fashion. Center the epoxy plug over the hole and cinch the material over the active leak by wrapping the Stop It® a few times and pulling firmly. Keep wrapping, and if by chance you miss the leak, apply some more of the Fix Stix on the leak (over the few plies of Stop It® already on the pipe) and finish wrapping, pulling smoothly and firmly throughout the application process. You should notice the leaking has stopped and the final stages of wrapping are performed without any signs of an active leak. Polish the resins as normal and wait the allotted time before re-pressuring the line.
How difficult is it to apply Stop It®?
Stop It® is much easier to use than most adhesive and epoxy products because there’s no mixing. After activating the Stop It® resins in water, wrap the fiberglass material around the leak site and polish the resins until they form a smooth, hard cap. The keys to obtaining a good application are properly preparing the pipe, quickly applying the roll by pulling the Stop It® tightly around the leak, and hand polishing the product until a smooth, shiny cap is formed. (Reading and following the instructions included in each kit and/or reviewing the readily available, instructional video will assist the user in securing a successful repair.)
What are the Stop It® set-time and cure time?
Resins set up in three to four minutes. The cure time for a 1/2” thick application is about 30 minutes at 75°F.
Does temperature affect Stop It®’s set-time?
Yes. The resins in Stop It® are extremely temperature-sensitive. When working in a hot environment, you can immerse the unopened pouch of Stop It® in a cool water bath to slow down the resins’ set-time. Conversely, in a cold environment, using a heat gun or some other source of warmth near the Stop It®application will speed the set-time. Stop It® is fully cured in 30 minutes under normal conditions.
Do I need to wear the gloves included in every kit?
Yes. The gloves are provided for easy clean up after the repair has been completed. Stop It® resins are not harmful – but they are a strong adhesive and will not wash off, and it takes two or three days for them to wear off. During the polishing process, you are compressing the resins back into the fiberglass material, and if you’re not wearing the gloves, you will be forcing the resins into your skin as well. Any foam that falls onto your skin or clothing should be allowed to completely expand and set. These non-compressed resin “pieces” should peel off rather easily.
What are the temperature limits of Stop It®?
Stop It® may be used on hot lines. The material should be applied when the pipe is at ambient temperature, and normal directions should be followed. At temperatures above 250°F, thermal decomposition may occur over an indeterminable period of time. The working life of the repair depends on temperature, thickness of application and individual application technique. Stop It® should not be used in applications where the substrate is above 500°F. Stop It® has good flexural strength and can withstand some expansion and contraction resulting from temperature fluctuations.
What is the shelf life for Stop It®?
Two years from date of purchase.
What makes Stop It® so effective?
While Stop It® can be used on straight runs of pipe, its conformability makes it especially useful for repairing leaks at joints, crosses, tees, or any other location. The knitted fiberglass tape allows it to be twisted, turned and maneuvered as it is being applied. Stop It® not only bonds because of its adhesive properties, but also because of the mechanics involved in the tight wrapping of the product. These properties enable Stop It® to form an effective repair on hard-to-stick-to pipe surfaces such as tight rust and properly rough-scored polyethylene, polypropylene, PVDF and nylon. Stop It® is not like the fiberglass “patch” products that are available. In addition to its conformability, its heavy resin load enables it to finish out beautifully – creating a strong, homogenous repair.
Stop It® is a registered trademark of InduMar Products, Inc.