Self adjusting gasket for pipe joints

A method of preventing leakage at an interface of a spigot end of a first pipe and a bell end of a second pipe, the method comprising:

• mounting a self adjustable gasket to the spigot end of the first pipe, the gasket having a wedge shaped profile with a continuous annular cavity having a generally asymmetrical profile relative to the interface, the cavity holding a fluid;
• positioning the bell end of the second pipe on the spigot end of the first pipe along the interface;
• compressing the gasket against the bell end of the second pipe;
• and
• distributing the fluid within the annular cavity to balance a compressive force along the interface such that a continuous seal is established along the interface.

A self adjusting gasket comprising:

• a compressible wedge shaped body including:
• a contact surface having a plurality of compression ribs;
• an inclined surface extending from the contact surface at a tapered front portion, the inclined surface including at least one resilient sealing member extending away from the inclined surface;
• an abutment surface located opposite the tapered front portion, said abutment surface being oriented generally normal to the contact surface;
• and
• an annular cavity located within the gasket that encloses an amount of fluid, said annular cavity having an orientation that is generally asymmetrical relative to the contact surface.