Overheard a journeyman in Toledo call a 3/8-inch gap 'close enough' for a gasket

That's how you get a call back at 2 AM for a steam leak. Has anyone else had to fix a 'close enough' job from another crew?

3 comments

3 Comments

craig.grant1mo ago

Heard about a buddy who had to redo a whole boiler feed line because the last guy said the flange alignment was "good enough." They used a crazy amount of gasket maker to try and bridge the gap. Lasted about a week before it blew out and sprayed 200-degree water everywhere. The cleanup alone took two days. That kind of "close enough" thinking costs more in the long run every single time.

evangarcia6d ago

Man, I'll be honest - I used to be one of those guys who thought a little gap was no big deal. Figured if it held pressure for a day it was fine. Then I watched a 2-inch steam line pop at 150 psi because someone used silicone caulk instead of proper gaskets. Water everywhere, ceiling tiles ruined, had to replace half the drywall. That "good enough" thinking turned a 30-minute fix into a full weekend job. Never again.

black.jordan1mo ago

A 3/8-inch gap? That's not close, that's a whole different area code. How do you even look at that and think it'll hold? It's just asking for a flood. Saw a valve once where the threads were so crossed they just taped over the whole mess. Lasted until the first real pressure test.