How to Winterize Your Valves and Actuators

Winter is coming! For outdoor valves and actuators, winterization is a key component of proper maintenance and a crucial step to keep your valves working properly year-round. For example, buried valves have a gap between the torque tube and the outer housing. If water gets into this gap and freezes, the valve will stop working.

This article summarizes the steps required to protect your valves and actuators from the cold.

Winterizing Buried Valve Stem Extensions

Here are the basic steps you need to take to winterize buried valves, such as those along a pipeline.

1. Locate the drain and vent fittings, or the equivalent plugs, on the stem extension. If your valve doesn’t have these fittings, you’ll need to install them.
2. Open the drain fitting to release any fluids inside the stem extension. Watch out for any pipeline liquids or gases exiting the valve — this could indicate a valve stem leak. If you detect a leak, stop all work and report it immediately. When the fluid starts to drain, open the top vent to speed the process.  
3. Once all of the fluid has drained completely from both the torque tube and housing gap, close the drain fitting.
4. Fill the stem extension, including the torque tube hollow, with the recommended antifreeze. You may need to let it rest and then top it up several times to fill it completely.
5. Close the vent fitting.
6. Document all of the work performed on the valve. For easier record-keeping, use a valve management system like ValvKeep. Make a note in your documentation to test the antifreeze yearly before the first freeze.

Winterizing Actuators

For actuators, the winterization process depends on the type.

Pneumatic Actuators

1. Make sure the air source is dry. Compressors can pass condensation through supply lines to outdoor actuators and create icing issues.
2. Drain and clean all supply filters and make sure lubricators are operating properly (if used).
3. Blowdown actuators to remove accumulated condensation.
4. Check exhaust vents on spring return (SR) actuators to verify ice cannot accumulate.

Electric Actuators

1. Verify the compartment heater is operating properly.
2. Check the cover seals and conduit connections for possible leak paths.
3. Check for rust on contactors or limit switch tabs.
4. Grease the drive unit per manufacturer instructions.
5. While the power is off, check for loose wire connections as well.

Gas Over Hydraulic Actuators

1. Drain all water and sediment from both the G/H tanks and the actuator.
2. Fill G/H tanks to the proper level (check the manufacturer’s recommendation).
3. Vent or purge the actuator.
4. Test the actuator seals.
5. Clean or replace the power gas strainers if needed.

Gearheads

1. Pull the cover plate and verify cover seal is intact.
2. Check for water inside worm and segmented gear area. If you find water, drain it.
3. Add the manufacturer’s recommended lubricant to displace potential water intrusion.

Need help? Allied’s technicians are trained and certified to keep your valves working properly in all kinds of weather. Contact us to schedule a service call.