Why Split Mechanical Seals Are a Game-Changer for Lift Stations in Challenging Environments

Are You Still Pulling Pumps for a Simple Seal Replacement? There’s a Better Way.

Imagine this: You’re the operator of a low-lying municipal lift station in rural Vermont. The pump house is cramped, humid, and built two decades ago. You’re working with limited space, aging infrastructure, and a system that seems to be constantly throwing shaft alignment issues. To replace a single cartridge seal, you have to disassemble half the motor and shaft assembly. This burns hours of labor, risks unplanned overflows, and adds stress onto your crew.

You’re not alone. Across New England and beyond, we hear the same frustration from municipal water operators every day: “There has to be a better way.”

And there is.

At Apex Sealing, we specialize in real-world sealing solutions for the conditions our clients actually face, not the ones found in a textbook. For lift stations plagued by vertical installations, alignment issues, vibration, and frequent cycling, split mechanical seals are proving to be a practical, high-performance alternative to traditional cartridge designs.

Why Split Mechanical Seals Make Sense for Lift Stations

Split seals are designed with field service in mind. They allow operators to replace seals without removing the motor or pump shaft, a game-changing advantage when working in confined spaces with aging infrastructure. Here’s why more municipalities are making the switch:

1. Fast, Efficient Installation

Replacing a traditional cartridge seal in a tight lift station can take 4–6 hours, requiring pump removal, shaft alignment checks, and hours of downtime. Split seals, on the other hand, can often be installed in under 45 minutes, with no shaft removal required.

2. Built-in Flexibility for Misalignment

Lift stations often experience alignment drift over time, especially in older systems with vibration or soft foundations. Apex’s split seal designs include axial flexibility to accommodate these shifts, reducing wear and extending seal life.

3. Chemical-Resistant Materials

We supply split seals with custom elastomers engineered to withstand common municipal chemicals like chlorine, caustics, and cleaning agents. This gives you long-term performance even under harsh conditions.

4. Reliability in Low-Flow and Dry-Run Conditions

Many lift stations operate in variable flow environments where dry running is a common risk. Apex seals are designed for these challenges, offering extended durability in off-design conditions.

For systems requiring extra reliability, Apex also offers:

• Dual-lip seal support for additional containment and protection in case of primary seal failure

• Pressure-balanced seal designs to improve seal integrity during pump cycling or pressure surges

We’ve seen dozens of lift stations throughout Vermont and the Northeast reduce downtime, labor hours, and emergency maintenance calls thanks to our split sealing solutions. 

If your team is spending more time in the lift station pit than you’d like, or if you’ve ever thought “there must be a better way”, we’d love to help. Our engineers and field specialists will work with your team to understand your system and recommend the right mechanical seal solution for your specific operating conditions.

Reach out to Apex Sealing today. Let’s make seal replacements faster, safer, and smarter.