Preventive Measures For Valve Maintenance

author: ATHENA GROUP

2025-12-12

Valves are critical components in fluid handling systems, and proper preventive maintenance is essential to ensure their long service life, reliable performance, and safety.

Valves should be properly maintained during transportation

Proper storage prevents premature corrosion, damage, and performance degradation before the valve is put into use.

Storage Requirement	Specific Details
Storage Environment	Must be stored in a dry, well-ventilated room to avoid moisture-induced rust.
Valve State During Storage	- Keep the valve fully open at all times.- Block the inlet and outlet ports to prevent dust, debris, or moisture from entering the valve interior.
Rust Prevention	- Apply an easily cleanable anti-rust agent to the stem’s external surface and all machined surfaces.- For long-term storage: Conduct regular inspections and cleaning, and reapply the anti-rust agent as needed.

Correct operation avoids unnecessary wear, damage, or performance failure

1.Match Operating Conditions

The actual working conditions (e.g., medium type, pressure, temperature, flow rate) must comply with the specifications on the valve’s nameplate and operation manual.

2.Clarify Functional Limitations

The valve is only designed for on/off control of media (i.e., fully opening or fully closing the flow). Do not use it as a control valve (for regulating flow, pressure, or temperature), as this will cause severe wear to the sealing surface.

3.Confirm Full Opening State

A valve is considered fully open when the stem is raised to its maximum position and the handwheel can no longer be turned (do not force the handwheel beyond this point).

4.Prohibit Improper Operation Tools

Do not use auxiliary levers, wrenches, or external drives (other than those specified by the manufacturer) to operate the valve. Excessive force will damage the stem, handwheel, or internal components.

5.Regular Lubrication

Apply lubricant to the trapezoidal thread portion of the stem at regular intervals (per the manufacturer’s recommendations) to ensure smooth operation and prevent thread corrosion.

6.Routine In-Service Inspections

Conduct regular inspections during valve operation. If any non-compliance is found, rectify it immediately to avoid further damage. Key inspection items include:

⦁   Whether fasteners (e.g., bolts, nuts) are loose.
⦁   Whether packing (sealing material around the stem) is worn or gaskets are damaged.
⦁   Whether the operating lever/handwheel moves flexibly (no jamming or inability to turn).
⦁   Whether the stem’s trapezoidal threads or yoke nut are deformed or worn.
⦁   Whether the sealing surface (between the valve disc and seat) is damaged or worn.
⦁   Whether there is leakage at the connection between the valve body and bonnet.
⦁   Whether the valve body wall thickness is significantly reduced due to corrosion/erosion.
Note: If the wall thickness is less than the minimum value required for tensile strength, or if visible leakage occurs, the valve must be scrapped (do not continue using it, as it poses safety risks).