What to Know About Pipeline Repair
They snake beneath your feet and run into your walls. They break down and spew chemicals and fluids out across rooms. They are pipelines, and one can break at any moment.
From 2010 to 2019, more than 5,500 pipelines burst in the United States. They resulted in more than 125 fatalities and four billion dollars in damages.
Pipeline and appliance repairs are essential for employee safety. But when your pipe is leaking, it can be hard to make repairs.
What are the first steps you should take? How do pipeline technicians go about repairing pipes?
Answer these questions and you can respond to a leak in no time. Here is your quick guide.
The First Steps for Pipe Repairs
A pipe may break in your building without obvious signs. Take a look at your flooring and ceiling. If there are any stains, a pipe may be leaking.
The paint on your walls may start to bubble or change colors. You may notice a foul or musty odor. Workers may come down with the signs of a respiratory illness like a cough or runny nose.
When you find the burst pipe, turn its supply off. If it is spraying hot or toxic substances, put on personal protective equipment.
Remove items from the room that could become contaminated. Set them aside so you can clean them later.
Water may seem non-toxic, but it can contain bacteria and spread mold. When you are cleaning up a leak, apply antibacterial substances to all surfaces. Open windows and doors to circulate air and remove odors.
If you think you need help, call a repair service right away. Repair technicians have the training to deal with a number of problems, including weld leaks. Do not attempt to fix a pipe on your own, especially if it is leaking dangerous substances like sewer water.
Sleeve Repairs
Many people think that equipment repairs involve cutting out a damaged section and installing a new one. That takes time, including testing and inspecting the new section.
Many industrial centers opt for sleeve repairs instead. A Type A sleeve involves taking a steel cylinder and cutting it in half.
The two halves go around the damaged section, and a technician welds the halves together. They remain in place over the damaged section.
A Type B sleeve involves welding the halves onto the pipeline surface itself. This permits less flexibility than a Type A sleeve, but it can prove more durable.
Hot Tapping
Hot tapping is a solution for pipes damaged through corrosion or mechanical damage. Technicians take bolt-on clamps that can wrap around damaged pipes.
They then use mechanical seals on stable sections of the pipeline. These seals protect the pressure inside the pipe, allowing substances to flow through.
Hot tapping can take place without the pipe being shut off. Bolts can be customized to a specific pipe, but it takes time to make customized ones. Sleeve repairs may work as a temporary fix until a technician can perform hot tapping.
Fix Your Pipeline
A broken pipeline does not have to disrupt your operation. Look around the building space for signs of a burst pipe. Turn off the supply running into the pipe and clean affected surfaces with antibacterial substances.
Replacing an entire section of pipe takes time. Sleeve repairs involve wrapping the damaged section with steel.
If you need to preserve pressure, you can opt for hot tapping. A sleeve goes over the damaged section and seals provide pressure integrity.
Find technicians who will respond to leaks promptly and professionally. RAK Industrial Services has nearly 50 years of experience. Contact us today.
