Your Guide to Relief Valve Servicing and Maintenance

When you are dealing with a pressurized pilot system, it is important to perform routine valve maintenance. It is much easier to check the condition of your valve regularly than risk failure at a critical time.

To learn more about the importance of pressure release valve servicing, check out this helpful guide!

1. Check the Pilot System for Breaks or Leaks

Whenever you inspect a valve, you should also check the whole system for any damage. Depending on your water supply, minerals can eventually wear out copper tubing and other materials. Damage can also happen if fittings happen to be overtightened.

You should also be sure the system is capable of handling the pressure from the water main. The water pressure for any pilot system will be the same as the waterline, so be sure to fix any issues that you find. Valves help protect your hydraulic system from overloading, so be sure to take the time.

2. Make Sure That There Is No Air in the System

If air happens to find its way into your pilot system, it can be hard to get an accurate reading. This is because unlike water, air is compressible and will accumulate in the high points of the system.

When you check the valves, you will be able to see any collected air in the sight glass. To remove and vent the air, open the bleed valve or plug on top of the indicator.

3. Check That Your Strainer Screens Are Clean and Replace Any Plugged Fittings

One common cause of valve failure is the water supply being choked off by a dirty screen. This can lead to difficulties in closing your valves or not being able to close them at all. Fortunately, it only takes a little bit of time to clean the screens and replace them.

However, a clean screen does not mean that the line itself could be plugged up. Mineral deposits can easily lead to blockages and plugs. While you could try to drill the line out or soak it in solution, the fastest method is usually replacing the line.

4. Test the Main Valve Diaphragm and Pilot Diaphragm

In the best-case scenario, the diaphragms on any main valves should last for many years. If you happen to experience a major failure, the chances are good that you have something in the line that shouldn’t be there. You can check for diaphragm damage by looking for water leaking after the vale has been fully opened.

Pilot diaphragms can also cause water leakage through vent holes or screw threads. However, you can fix this by taking apart the spring casing and replacing the diaphragm.

5. Inspect Ball Valves For Rust and Corrosion

Depending on the material your valve is made from, your handle could have rusted off. Make sure that all your valve handles are made from solid steel.

You should make sure that the ball valve is in the correct position, whether that is open or closed. When you test your ball valves for easy movement, you should always return them to their original positions.

Make Valve Servicing as Quick and Painless as Possible

While making sure your valves are working can seem stressful, a little time saves you a lot of trouble. With this valve servicing guide and our expert resources, you can get your hydraulics up and running in no time. Contact us today to learn more!