You find a valve in your plant or along your pipeline that isn’t operating at peak performance. Should you repair your valve or replace it?

Here are four factors to consider.

Cost

Depending on the type of valve and the damage, one option may be significantly more or less expensive than the other. For example, this Valve Magazine article on check valves identifies several cost-related reasons these valves may be easier to repair than to replace:

  • The cost of the valve itself, including the time it will take to get the valve
  • The cost of labor and equipment to remove the existing valve and install the new one
  • Associated costs including civil engineering and quality control management

As a general guideline, for most valves, repair is the first option. But if repair costs more than about 60% of what it would cost to replace the valve, then replacement is probably your best bet.

Valve historical data

The previous maintenance and repair data on your valve can help you predict how that valve is likely to behave in the future. For example, if your valve has a history of being a bad actor and needing repair more often than a standard maintenance schedule requires, you might be better off replacing it, even if the repairs are inexpensive. It will save you money in the long run, and improve your peace of mind.

Using a valve management system like ValvKeep will ensure you always have your valve historical data on hand when you need it.

Repair technician certification

Before authorizing any repairs, make sure that the company you’re working with is properly certified and that their technicians are factory-trained. Poor repairs can leave you in a worse spot than when you started. What’s more, having non-certified personnel work on your valves may void the warranty.

Parts availability

It can sometimes take longer to get a new part than to get a new valve. To save money and avoid excessive downtime, make sure the repair company you work with has OEM relationships that provide fast access to the parts you need.

For example, as a certified Green Tag Center, Allied has a large inventory of Consolidated valves on hand as well as access to GE’s Valve Aftermarket Centers and the ValvFast program. This means we can often get the parts you need for in as little as 24 hours.

Related article: How Often Should You Repair or Replace Pressure Relief Valves?

Need help deciding whether repair or replacement is right for you? Contact us today!

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