The Gear Shed - Basic Valve Maintenance

One of the biggest issues rafters face is leaky tubes. Generally, this has one of two causes: pin hole leaks or damaged / poorly maintained valves. Valves problems are by far one of the easiest issues to fix on a raft. The issues that we most commonly see are simply dirt and grime working their way into the valve stems and rubber stoppers. Another common problem for boats can be cracks and fractures in the boot of the valve leading to slow leaks. Occasionally the valve threads can get damaged leading to cracks deeper in the walls of the valve. These cracks can be difficult to assess without physically removing the valve to inspect it. In this video we’re taking a look at how to remove, inspect, and service your valves.