Protect Flange Faces, Corners, and Gaskets During Storage

Fast answer

Store and move flanged duct so connector faces, corners, and installed gasket are not crushed, bent, contaminated, or used as bearing points.

What to check

1. Keep flange faces off the slab and out of standing water or debris.
2. Avoid stacking flange-to-flange when hardware or gasket can be damaged.
3. Protect corners from forklift forks, carts, straps, and nearby material.
4. Inspect gasket and flange condition again before the joint is raised.

Do not

Do not install over a crushed, dirty, torn, or displaced gasket and hope the corner hardware or mastic will hide it.

Ask the foreman

“This bottom flange carried the stack and the gasket is flattened at two corners. Do you want the gasket replaced and the flange checked before this piece goes up?”

Why it matters

Damage created in the laydown area often appears later as a joint that will not align or seal.