Inflatable pipe plug versus a Mechanical Plug

The advantages of inflatable pipe plugs

When handling a line stop operation, you have two primary pipe plug variations to choose from: inflatable and mechanical. Both types can be effective at getting a workable seal, but there are certain conditions and situations when it makes the most sense to use an inflatable plug. In this article, we’ll cover what inflatable plugs are and when it makes the most sense to use them. 

What is an inflatable plug? 

Inflatable plugs are inserted into a pipe and filled with gas, liquid or grout. They are designed to fit snugly into the interior of any line and can be inflated to the required size, providing a tight seal. Inflatable plugs are an essential tool for maintenance activities, because they can fit through small openings and are effective even when a pipe has an odd shape or uneven surface. 

The question is, when should you use an inflatable plug over a different type of pipe plug? 

Top reasons to use an inflatable line stop 

Cost effectiveness – Unlike mechanical plugs or other pipe maintenance solutions, inflatable plugs are typically less expensive, require minimal equipment to implement, and can be reused, making them much more cost effective than alternative methods.

Flexibility to conform to almost any shape – Rigid mechanical plugs cannot create an effective seal when there are weld beads, corrosion, deposits, an out of round pipe shape, or other imperfections. An inflatable pipe plug is designed to fit all the contours of a pipe line and create a seal despite bumps, dips, or other obstructions. 

Fast installation and removal – If your job requires speed, or if you are frequently installing and removing the pipe plug, then we recommend using inflatable plugs, because they can be added and taken out much more rapidly than a conventional mechanical plug. 

Easier to store and transport – By deflating an inflatable plug when it’s not in use, even a very large one can take up less space during storage and transport than a smaller mechanical plug. 

Heavy equipment not required – One of the benefits of using an inflatable pipe plug is that they don’t require any heavy equipment to install or use (for most sizes).

Tap near or at pipe bends – Because they are flexible and can conform to essentially whatever shape you place them in, inflatable plugs are the best solution when you are tapping the pipe and blocking the flow near or at a pipe bend.

Fit through small holes – With a narrow deflated diameter, an inflatable pipe plug can fit through a much smaller tap hole than mechanical plugs thus providing greater pipeline integrity.

Lower environmental risk – Inflatable plugs are an environmentally friendlier alternative, because they minimize the need for excavation or other disruptive activities that can damage the environment.

Limited Space Work Environment – Because inflatable plugs don’t require heavy equipment to install or use, they can accommodate almost any limited work space environment.

If you have any questions about choosing the right pipe plug for your application, please reach out to the Petersen team today!