How to Avoid Damage to Your Pipes

Pipes make up an important part of many systems, and from your boilers to your taps they're crucial around the home. However pipes are also very important for a range of businesses, and whether you're in mining or construction you are likely to have to work with them.

When you work around pipes they are no longer just 'around' your home doing their job, they instead become crucial tools for transporting liquids and gasses or for transporting your materials; and like any tool in business they are an important investment that you need to think about carefully in order to get the most from. Here we will look at one important consideration - making sure that you don't damage your pipes so that you aren't left without them to work with or forced to spend on repairs or replacements.

Choose the Right Pipes

First and foremost it's important to choose the right piping to begin with and this means making sure it is able to stand up to the gasses or liquids it will be used to carry. For water pipes you need to consider whether the pipe is indoors or outdoors and whether it is going to be carrying extremely hot or cold water - will it be able to stand up to the expansion and contraction this can cause for instance? Flexible piping will be less likely to crack when the temperature changes. Likewise you need to think about the size of your pipes, and whether they will be able to handle the amount of water you need to send through them.

For things like corrosive salt waters etc. though this becomes more complicated still and you may find you need to look into piping that is coated or made from a specialist material.

Temperature

While you should make sure that your pipes are able to withstand the temperatures and conditions they are going to be subject too, you can still give them an easier time by avoiding extremes. If your pipes are inside a property for instance then keeping the heating on can greatly help to prevent expansion and contraction as well as freezing and ice which can often cause cracks. Don't try to make savings then by skimping on your heating as it could cost you in the long run.

Location

You also need to think about the locations of your pipes and whether they are likely to get knocked or bashed from time to time. If at all possible you should of course keep your pipes away from main work sites or the 'traffic lanes' where lots of people pass through. This is also important from a health and safety perspective in order to avoid people burning themselves on hot pipes or tripping over pipes that are running along the floor. Burying pipes can be a good way of avoiding them getting knocked or damaged.

Maintenance

While you might look after your pipes well, from time to time wear and tear will still get the better of them. It is thus important to make sure they are checked regularly and that you maintain any early signs of cracks or problems. Meanwhile other elements in the chain such as the washers on your valves and stop taps should be replaced often.

If you work with mining pipes then these tips can help you get more from them. However buying the right pipes for your mining slurry is also important. Follow the links to find great pipes that won't let you down.