Do You Know The Golden Maintenance Cycle for Valves?

Do You Know the Golden Maintenance Cycle for Valves?

Proper valve maintenance is not just preventive—it’s profit-protective. For industries relying on stable operations, an optimized valve maintenance schedule can extend valve life by 3–5 times and drastically reduce unplanned downtime.

Whether you’re working with gate valves, ball valves, butterfly valves, globe valves, or control valves, understanding the “Golden Maintenance Cycle” is critical. The correct schedule depends on valve type, operating conditions (temperature, pressure, media), and frequency of use.

What Is the "Golden Maintenance Cycle"?

A well-designed maintenance schedule can improve safety, reliability, and productivity. Here’s a breakdown based on usage:

️ The 4 Golden Rules of Valve Maintenance

1. Preventive beats reactive
   Regular inspection is far more cost-effective than emergency replacements.

2. Lubrication is essential
   Lack of grease on stems, bearings, or other moving parts leads to jamming and wear.

3. Never skip sealing tests
   Conduct at least one pressure test per year (API 598 or equivalent).

4. Track maintenance history
   Maintain valve logs for replaced components, test results, and fault patterns.

General Valve Maintenance Schedule

1. Daily/Weekly Checks

Use Case: Critical or frequently operated valves (e.g., on/off or control valves)
Checkpoints:

• Internal or external leaks

• Stem and actuator movement

• Flange/bolt tightness

• Stem lubrication

2. Quarterly Maintenance (Every 3–6 Months)

Use Case: Standard industrial applications (chemical, water treatment, energy)
Tasks:

• Clean dirt and rust

• Re-lubricate stem and seats

• Low-pressure sealing test

• Retighten bolts

3. Annual to Biannual Overhaul (Every 1–2 Years)

Use Case: High-pressure, high-temperature, corrosive service
Tasks:

• Disassemble valve

• Inspect trim, seats, seals

• Replace worn parts (O-rings, gaskets, seats)

• Recalibrate actuators or positioners

• Conduct sealing test (API 598 / GB/T 26480)

4. Long-Term Idle Valves

Use Case: Backup or seasonal valves
Tasks:

• Operate manually every 6 months

• Apply anti-rust coating

• Store in dry conditions to prevent corrosion

Valve-Specific Maintenance Focus

Valve Type	Key Maintenance Points	Suggested Cycle
Gate Valve	Stem lubrication, gate seat inspection	Every 3–6 months
Ball Valve	Seat sealing, ball surface cleaning	Every 6–12 months
Butterfly Valve	Bearing grease, seal ring replacement	Every 6–12 months
Globe Valve	Disc/seat sealing, stem thread check	Every 12 months
Safety Valve	Pressure test & pop-up check (mandatory)	Every 12 months
Control Valve	Positioner calibration, diaphragm condition	Every 3–6 months

⚠️ Adjusting Maintenance Based on Conditions

✔ For Harsh Environments (High Temp/Pressure, Corrosives):

• Increase check frequency (e.g., every 3 months)

• Use metal-seated or corrosion-resistant valves

• Add sensors for temperature/vibration monitoring

✔ For Normal Conditions (Water, Air, Low-Pressure Steam):

• Annual servicing may suffice

• Still check stem lubrication and bolts regularly

❌ Common Valve Maintenance Mistakes

• “No leaks = no problem”
  → Internal wear may go unnoticed until failure.

• “One cycle fits all”
  → Tailor maintenance to valve type and service conditions.

• “More grease is better”
  → Excessive grease attracts dust, causing friction and wear.

Why Proper Valve Maintenance Matters

A scientifically planned maintenance cycle helps:

✅ Extend valve life
✅ Prevent downtime
✅ Improve plant safety
✅ Reduce total cost of ownership

Need Reliable, Low-Maintenance Valves?

At COVNA, we don’t just manufacture valves—we build solutions for long-term reliability.

ISO-certified designs
High-quality materials for extreme environments
Optional online monitoring and smart diagnostics
Fast global support & tailored service plans

Whether you need ball valves, butterfly valves, gate valves, or control solutions, contact us today to find the perfect valve for your process.

Get a quote today or download our product catalog to learn how our valve systems can save you time, risk, and cost.