Process piping systems help us live the way we’re accustomed to—but do we ever realize how much our daily lives depend on them until they break down? We rely on process piping systems to heat our homes, provide clean water, and many other things.
Problems with piping systems can be caught early with preventative maintenance. Monitoring systems such as thermal flow meters can detect leaks and other abnormalities. Explore the most common issues with process piping systems by reading this article.
Broken Gauges
Broken gauges on a system under pressure can have severe consequences. For example, if the gauges on a boiler system stop working, they create pressures and temperatures much higher than the boiler can handle. It rises to a dangerous level if the safety valves are malfunctioning and creates the risk of an explosion. Preventative measures such as thermal flow meters can help detect any abnormalities and prevent any unsafe situations.
Water Quality
Piping systems supply our homes and businesses with clean water from local water treatment plants. After every new plumbing installation, whether it’s new construction or repairs, you should have the water tested. Why? Because—even though the lines are always chlorinated—sometimes containments can accidentally flow into the system and cause impurities.
Corrosion Problems
Any piping system can experience problems with corrosion. It’s not always evident from inspecting the outside of the pipe, so you might need to take a portion of them apart if you’re noticing issues like leaks, a slower flow, or knocking sounds. Sometimes small mounds of corrosion called tuberculation form inside pipes and adversely affect their performance.
A Buildup of Carbon Monoxide
Builders have created new boiler systems that vent outside of the building, but if anything blocks the vent, or if the contractor installed it too close to the ground, a buildup of carbon monoxide can occur inside. Place a carbon monoxide detector inside homes or businesses to monitor for this odorless gas—even a small amount can have severe consequences.
Preventing Piping System Issues
There are ways to avoid these common issues with process piping systems. By installing systems such as thermal flow meters and carbon monoxide detectors to test for leaks, conducting water tests after plumbing installation, and checking pipes for corrosion, you can prevent or deescalate any problems.
