Preventative maintenance is pretty standard for pumps, but what about valves? It’s no secret that poorly maintained equipment doesn’t last as long as it should. If you skimp on maintenance, you’ll be faced with sudden failures and unexpected replacement costs. A preventative maintenance program will directly improve the performance and safety of your valve processes. Let’s talk about how we can extend the life of your valves so you can reduce your total cost of ownership while saving time and money.
You probably have a variety of different types of valves in your facility. You should become familiar with them so you know how they operate. This is a crucial factor in designing a personalized valve maintenance program.
First, get familiar with your valves:
Once you’re familiar with your valves, take care of them! The preventative maintenance steps below will keep your valves working properly.
Keep ‘Em Clean
One of the easiest ways to extend the life of your valves is to clean them. Everyone will have different cleaning intervals but it’s best to clean your valves at least once per year. If your environment is dirty or dusty, you should clean them more frequently. The easiest way to do this is to use a towel or wire brush to clean the valve casing. Keeping it clean will prevent buildup on the valve stem and other moving parts, maximizing the life of your valve.
Routine Inspections
Your valves should be checked and inspected on a consistent basis. If you have valves that are under high stress (temperature or pressure), you should monitor these valves more often than others. Pushing a valve to its limit will cause it to fail more quickly.
Make sure the enclosure is properly exhausted. Ensure that bolts, nuts and other hardware are tight. If possible, open and close the valves to make sure they aren’t seized. If you find any leaks, they should be addressed immediately. Leaking valves are a leading cause of fugitive emissions. Leaks are easily noticed by seeing mineral buildup or corrosion on the casing. You should also test valves that are typically static to ensure that the valve position indicator is providing an accurate reading.
Over time, mineralization, rust and corrosion will affect the parts inside of your valves. Yearly plant shutdowns are the perfect time to go over your valves. Take them apart, clean the insides, and replace any worn or broken pieces. In addition to metal parts, there are a variety of rubber and plastic parts that might need to be replaced. If you notice parts that are brittle or rotting, replace them as necessary.
If you find a valve that needs to be repaired, check out our service capabilities. If you have a valve that is beyond the point of fixing, we’d love to get you a replacement. Contact us with any questions!