Uniseal Fitting Instructions
Only one tool is required to achieve a watertight seal - a holesaw.
Uniseal® Fitting Instructions
| 1 |
Cut a hole to the correct size using a holesaw. A wee tip here - run your holesaw as slowly as is possible, the bigger the holesaw the slower you want it revolving. Don't burn out the holesaw or melt your plastic vessel. |
| 2 |
Ensure there is no swarf around the hole. A fine sandpaper will remove excess. |
| 3 |
Insert the Uniseal® into the hole from the same direction that you intend to insert the pipe. |
| 4 |
Ensure that your pipe has a clean cut end. Chamfering the end of the pipe helps when it comes to insertion. |
| 5 |
Lubricate the outside of the end of the pipe with soap/washing up liquid and then push the pipe through the wide side of the Uniseal® and into the tank. On larger pipes silicone lubricant instead of soap applied to the pipe and Uniseal® further helps ease insertion. |
| 6 |
The pipe can be moved backwards and forwards to achieve the correct position. |
| 7 |
Job done! |
Uniseal® Installation Tips
Some larger diameter pipes may require more force to insert them through a Uniseal®. Uniseal installation is a simple process which applies to all Uniseal sizes. If you are installing a Uniseal with a pipe slightly larger (a few millimetres) than intended it may be a bit tougher -
Ensure those pipes have a good chamfer on the end to be inserted.
Silicon pipe lubricant spray will also create less friction between the pipe and the Uniseal®.
Rocking the pipe gently from side to side when applying pressure will also aid insertion.
Use a block of wood to push the pipe through the Uniseal®.
Just prior to inserting the Uniseal® heat it by immersing in hot water for a minute.
For particularly stubborn installations use a ratchet strap around the vessel and the end of the pipe you would like to insert. Slowly ratchet the pipe through the Uniseal, tap the free end of the pipe with a dead blow hammer on a piece of wood.
Creating your hole
The Uniseal Shop exclusively sells suitable inexpensive quality drill bits, holesaws and arbors as Uniseal Holesaw Kits to achieve a good hole into which you can fit your Uniseal. You will find these on the same pages as the Uniseals themselves. Be careful using an old/worn holesaw. The quality of your seal is directly dependant on the quality of the hole you create. Even the best quality brand new commercially available holesaws have a tolerance of 0.2mm. If you want to use your own existing holesaw or a really cheap set you can buy on eBay then that may be good enough.
The Uniseal Shop only sells Uniseal Holesaw Kits complete as sets with Uniseals, holesaw and arbor. This helps to keep the postage and packaging costs down per installation since the holesaws and arbors can be weighty items and greatly increase the postal costs.
There are a few hints and tips on the following videos which some people use to insert their Uniseals®.
YouTube Uniseal® Installation Videos
AEM Easy Drum 22 - Uniseal Mod 1
AEM Easy Drum 22 Uniseal Mod 2
When to use a Uniseal Vs a Bulkhead
How to Install a Uniseal Fitting
How to use Uniseals with thin walled pipe in the Aquaponic build
Aquaponic Uniseal installation How-to
UniSeal 1.5 inch hole in 5 Gallon Bucket
Standard Pipe Sizes
Pipes come in different sizes. The outside diameter of your pipe can be checked out from this website www.pipestock.com/ who sell different classes (pressure rating) of pipe in different materials. Don't get overly hung up on your pipe size unless you intend to pressurise your tank or vessel, Uniseals® have a little tolerance of around 2mm on larger diameter pipes. The main criteria is that your pipe fits tightly through the Uniseal®.
Uniseal fitting example piece. This blue plastic circle is from a DIY blue barrel filter system on a fish pond and is an example of how to fit a Uniseal. The pipe would of course be much longer and the plastic an actual part of the barrel. Check out the chamfer in the second last photo.
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