3 Top Automatic Valve Maintenance Tips for Residential Piping Needs

Valve maintenance is a critical component in residential piping systems such as sprinklers, water, and gas supply. Irrespective of the type of valve used, maintenance can reduce the cost of repair and replacement while extending the service life of the unit. Common issues ranging from corrosion, sedimentation, and internal leaks must be identified and fixed at the onset. Here are some top maintenance tips for automatic valves for residential piping.

Inspect for Leaks – Anytime you detect a leak in a valve system, then you need to troubleshoot the root cause. Ordinarily, the problem might not be the valve itself, but other components such as connectors or the pipes. A simple DIY option would be to try tightening the fasteners such as nuts and bolts if your valves have these components. However, if the leak goes beyond a simple case of tightening the bolts and nuts, then you have to seek the services of a qualified technician. In most instances, the expert will refer to the manufacturer's manual when finding a fix to the problem. Ideally, regular inspection of the valves can prevent the escalation of a small leak into a full-blown leaking issue.

Cleaning -- Dust particles, sediments, and other debris might accumulate inside valves thereby blocking the free flow of fluids. Removal of the lodged debris might require dismantling the whole system. For instance, if you have an automatic valve, you may need to power it down and disconnect it from the power mains before disassembling. The next step would be to isolate it from the main fluid line before dismantling the individual components. If you are not a handy person, then you should let a professional do the work for you, but for a fee. Cleaning the internal parts of the valve should be done using compressed air and solvents before putting the pieces back together.

Corrosion – Corrosion has become a constant threat to residential valve users leading to an interrupted flow of fluids such as water and gas. Despite the rigorous tests that remove moisture from valves, some moisture might remain in internal components by the time the valves reach the end user. The moisture will cause corrosion to festers in the residential piping system over time. Corrosion can also cause an automatic valve to overheat, which might burn the system. Regular inspection and replacement of corroded components can aid in extending the lifespan of the valves.