Service & Repair for Diving Gear
The Service & Repair area at Divers Market is where the precisely machined parts, silicone and o-rings, valves and regulators come together so that you can enjoy the underwater world confidently!
Certified Technicians perform all the work
Our certified technicians work hard to stay current and obtain first hand knowledge from our manfacturers. We continually attend technical clinics and seminars to ensure we can provide the highest level of service to our customers.
Yearly service ensures best performance
Whether you dive once or twice a season or you're in the water every weekend, your equipment should be serviced at least once a year to keep it performing well. Many of today's manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on parts as long as you have the equipment serviced regularly.
Regulator Service
Your regulator could be the most important piece of equipment you own and should at least be serviced annually.
OUR PROCESS FOR SERVICING REGULATORS
- Regulators, alternate air sources, and gauge consoles are disassembled down to the last o-ring and are given a cleaning bath to remove any corrosion from the parts.
- The parts are then dried, inspected, and polished. O-rings, seats, gaskets, and other soft parts are replaced, lubricated, and re-installed.
- The equipment is then assembled and re-tuned to factory specifications. Every piece of equipment is then water tested for leaks by submerging it in our test tank.
Buoyancy Compensators
Your BCD should be serviced annually to check for leaks, corrosion, salt build up, and proper function.
OUR PROCESS FOR SERVICING BCDs
- First your power inflator is removed from your BCD. It is disassembled and given a cleaning bath removing any corrosion.
- O-rings and soft parts are replaced and the power inflator is reassembled and tuned to factory specifications.
- Next the BCD is washed inside and out with disinfectant and deodorizer.
- Complete re-assemble of the BCD unit is finished and a 30.
Tanks & Valves
Our repair department services many different types of tanks and cylinders. We inspect everything from steel and aluminum Scuba tanks, medical oxygen cylinders, fiberglass reinforced fire fighting SCBA tanks and specialty aviation and marine safety cylinders. Here are some of the tests and inspecttions that Divers Market completes to keep our customers safe.
V.I.P. (visual inspection process) - Done every year
The tank is first emptied, and the valve is removed. A complete assessment of the valve is done checking for correct working order, severe corrosion, suspect parts, etc. The two main o-rings are removed and replaced. Next, an external inspection of the tank is done. Here we check for corrosion, pitting, dents, and signs of fire damage. An internal inspection with a fiber optic light and dental mirror is performed. Again checking for corrosion, pitting, water, oil, silicone, or any other contaminants. Finally the valve, with new o-rings, is reinstalled , a new VIP sticker is applied and the tank is filled and checked for leaks.
Visual Plus
The Visual Plus inspection is done to check for cracks in the neck and threads of a cylinder. It uses eddy currents to inspect the alloy at the top portion of the cylinder and shows any Sustained Load Cracking (SLC) abnormalities. If a cylinder is suspected of having cracks, the cylinder is either shipped back to the manufacturer for further testing or discarded. In most cases, the suspected cylinder is condemned and taken out of service. This test is done on aluminum cylinders only (i.e.. scuba, scba, oxygen, medilux, CO2).
Hydrostatic Testing - Done every 5 years in-house
After the V. I. P. and the Visual Plus inspections, the cylinder is filled with water. The cylinder is then submerged in a vat of water with a secured lid. All the air is purged out of the cylinder being tested and the vat it's submerged in.
Next, the cylinder being tested is pressurized, using water pressure, to the D.O.T. specified directives. Normally this is 5/3 the working pressure of the cylinder (i.e. an aluminum 80 normally gets filled to 3000 psi and is hydro-statically tested to 5000 psi). When the cylinder is pressurized, it expands. The amount of expansion is measured through displacement in pipette tubes. When the pressure is released a second measurement is taken for permanent expansion results. If the permanent expansion is within limits the tank passes and kept in service.
The tank is emptied of water, dried, stamped with the month, retesters I.D. Number, and year. The valve is installed, and the cylinder is filled and checked for leaks.
"Whipping" and Cleaning
When severe corrosion is found inside tanks it is sometimes possible to clean the corrosion out (depending on the degree of the damage). This is done with one of two ways. One is to "whip" the inside of a steel cylinder with a series of special wire brushes. The tank is then rinsed and dried. The second method is to clean the inside of aluminum cylinders with an industrial cleaner, rinse, and dry.
Service & Repair for Exposure Suits
In-House Upgrades and Repairs for Drysuits
Our Repair Department services all drysuit repairs including replacing neck seals, wrist seals, booties, and zippers. We also install pockets, warm neck collars, zipper guards and many other added options. We pride ourselves on keeping the repairs in-house. Which means quicker turn around times and a higher level of quality assurance.
Customization and Repair of Wetsuits
Here you can take advantage of our two in-house sewing machines and experienced staff to personalize your wetsuit. We offer custom tailoring, added options, repairing holes and tears, and specialty modifications and developments. One of our past challenges was to build a custom wetsuit for a German Shepherd!
Computer Battery Replacement
It is a good idea and a good habit to replace your computer or timer batteries regularly. We freshly stock most manufacture's batteries.
The battery is replaced along with the catalyst or moisture capsule in the computer. We have the ability to test the unit for its waterproofs and depth accuracy in our very own underwater compression chamber.