A Guide to Valve Maintenance and Care for Your Business

If your business depends on the uninterrupted flow of gases, liquids, or even solids, then you understand how critical valves can be. Whether you are running a manufacturing plant or an HVAC repair service, you need these valves in your systems to implement certain processes that will make operational efficiency possible. If these important parts get damaged over time and require repairs, it will not only cost you in terms of downtime and loss of production but will also pose a threat to safety. Hence the importance of proactively setting a regime for maintenance to keep things flowing.

First, what are the different types of valves that can serve various business needs?

Gate valves are commonly used in pipelines for on and off control. You need to make sure these valves have a tight shut-off in order to prevent disruptions and leaks.
Globe valves are often found in process control applications for throttling flow. You need to carefully maintain both the disc and the seat so that you’ll have correct flow regulation and prevent erosion at the same time.
Ball valves can be found in simple shut-off applications as well as more complex systems. It’s important to maintain the integrity of their seals to prevent any leaks, especially if you’re dealing with any hazardous materials.
Butterfly valves are common in large-scale applications and are used for both throttling and on/off controls. Proper disc alignment along with seal integrity should be maintained for an efficient flow and the prevention of potential leaks.
Check valves can prevent backflow and are used to protect processes or equipment. You need to verify that these valves are working properly so you can avoid any backflow incidents that could prove to be costly.

A preventive maintenance programme for maximising the life of a valve.

A care and maintenance process that’s well-defined can help ensure your valves will have a long lifetime of use. Here’s what you need to include in such a programme:

Schedule regular visual inspections so you can identify any potential problems early on before they can get worse. Train your personnel to check for any external leaks, physical damages, corrosion, and actuator issues. Create a detailed checklist that will help employees ensure the consistency and thoroughness of their inspections.
You are required to create a schedule for preventive maintenance involving cleaning, greasing, and aligning valves to prevent future failures. Set a schedule for these tasks based on the type of valve you’re using and its operating conditions. Then follow any manufacturer recommendations so you can greatly reduce the risk of breakdowns.
Maintain an adequate inventory of essential spare parts, especially for valves with critical functions. Doing so can help to minimize repair downtime so operations can resume quickly.

When you prioritise maintenance and care, you can get the most benefit out of your investment in quality valves. And if you’re in the market looking for some great products, check out the different offerings at https://www.valvewarehouseaustralia.com.au/, and we’ll help you find the valves that best match your business needs!