How to keep hose clamp from rusting

[Rkh]

I have a battery back up sump with the float switch clamped to the pvc pipe as shown. I had to replace previous clamp because float level was incorrect. It rusted so bad, I had to break apart. I was thinking of putting silicone caulking around screw part of clamp. It is in a sump pump well housing, so it is around humidity 24/7. They are suppose to be stainless steel clamps(probably chinese junk). Any ideas?

 

[old]

Good heavy coat of grease and or paint it

 

[Janicholson]

The screw in cheap clamps are steel.
real

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Good SS clamps under ground don't rust
There are different grades of SS. One grade is magnetic. I think that grade will rust.
Non magnetic will not rust.
What say the experts?George

 

[Bob M]

Replace it with a marine grade stainless clamp that meets SAE J1508 standard. HyGear, Breeze, Precision, and others all make them.

Marine clamps are more expensive than general purpose Chinesium clamps from Home Depot, etc. But they will last about forever.

 

[grizz02]

Do what bob said marine grade are made to withstand salt water

 

[rustred]

i just bought stainless clamps for my rad the other day , so that would be the ticket plus a spray with fluid film and should be good.

 

[Michael Soldan]

I second the Fluid Film

 

[Mike Groom]

Geo,yes nonmagnetic are the good SS clamps,take a small magnet with you when you buy them.

 

[Steve@Advance]

You have to specify marine grade all stainless!

Just about all worm clamps have a stainless band, it's the screw and screw housing that rust away.

When I worked at a marina just out of high school, the place was a mess, constant turn over of management, owners were new at operating a marina and were desperate for competent people.

Word got out about one of the many managers that took a swing through the revolving door...

He had been sued, fired, got his former employer sued, because a multi million dollar yacht sunk due to the marina he was managing using non marine grade clamps. Never got any details, weather it was ignorance or cost cutting, but a lesson hard learned!

 

[JD Dave]

High quality stainless steel clamps will not rust. Do your research on stainless steel grades and you'll be happy. I don't play around with inferior-grade and try to save a buck. I just get the best quality to re-stock my bins.

 

[bmack95hd]

As some stated marine grade 316 stainless steel clamps is the way to go.

 

[MarkB_MI]

A good marine hardware store will carry hose clamps with 316 or 304 stainless steel screws. Take a magnet with you when you buy to ensure you're getting the good stuff; any of the 300 series SS alloys are non-magnetic.
Marine grade hose clamps at West Marine

 

[dr sportster]

Need all stainless

 

[showcrop]

What Janicholson said. It is the screw.

 

[guido]

Rkh,

I would just use a zip tie. These clamps will work too,

Guido.

 

[Dave41A]

Like the others said, go with a non-magnetic stainless. I suggest 316 grade--it is alloyed with molybdenum and will withstand salt. 304 is also a non-magnetic Nickel-Chrome stainless but does not have the the molybdenum content, so it is not salt resistant. 316 is the true marine grade.

Swimming pool stores may also have the 316 clamps as the chlorine water treatment acts like salt (chlorine ions are in both).