Industrial pumps play a crucial role in manufacturing and commercial applications. Industrial factories and plants rely on these essential pieces of equipment, and if something goes wrong, it can be expensive to put right. Thanks to this, businesses will do everything possible to keep them running without issues.
One thing businesses can do to keep their pumps in working order is to perform regular maintenance on them. Not only can this help keep them functioning properly and for longer periods, but it also has several other benefits. To find out more about regular pump maintenance and why it is so important, check out the article below:
What is Pump Maintenance?
Pump maintenance is the process of keeping pumps working efficiently. This usually entails regularly checking the pump’s performance, inspecting the parts, lubricating the bearings, and much more to ensure that the pump functions correctly.
Different Types of Pump Maintenance
Pump maintenance is typically divided into three classifications:
- Reactive maintenance – this type of maintenance is implemented to address or repair a failure or issue that has already occurred. It aims to get the pump back in working order without affecting the operations too much.
- Preventative maintenance – this is designed to prevent issues or pump failures from occurring. When utilized correctly, it can have many benefits, including extending the life of your pump and reducing downtime.
- Predictive maintenance – this is perhaps the most cost-effective and efficient classification of maintenance. It is meant to diagnose the condition of your pumps to determine how often maintenance is required. This method involves routinely checking the equipment using tools such as ultrasound and infrared technology to work out where possible problems may occur, reduce the time needed for scheduled maintenance and deter unexpected breakdowns.
What Should You Check During Pump Maintenance?
As mentioned above, to maximize your pump’s life, you must perform regular maintenance. These are some of the things you should check when performing pump maintenance:
- Mechanical seal and packing inspection.
- Inspect the couplings.
- Inspect and clean the filters.
- Check and tighten all mountain points.
- Check and, if needed, adjust pump alignment.
- Motor or electrical inspection (particularly motor windings and vents).
- Leak inspection.
- Replace damaged hoses or seals.
- Hydraulic fluid check.
- Lubrication of pump and motor.
- Bearing check.
- Test controls and flow rates.
- Inspect the impeller.
- Clean the input and discharge ports.
Tips for Performing Pump Maintenance
Here are some top tips for performing pump maintenance at your plant:
- Put safety first – before performing any maintenance, you must ensure that the pump is turned off and you are wearing the correct safety equipment. As well as this, it’s vital that you know what you are doing.
- Use maintenance logs – log any issues you find during your inspection. As soon as issues are fixed, update your log.
- Think about the timing – if possible, schedule maintenance outside working hours. This will reduce the downtime of your employees, saving your business money.
- Use genuine parts – while repairing a pump with cheap parts can be tempting, this isn’t advisable. These parts tend to be of much poorer quality. Instead, purchase genuine replacement parts for your pump.
- Fix the root cause of the problem – if you notice an issue with your pump, don’t just fix the symptoms; instead, find out what is causing the problem.
How Often Should You Service Your Pumps?
When it comes to maintaining pumps, it’s essential to maintain a consistent maintenance schedule. Just like having your car serviced every six months or every year, you will want to follow a set maintenance schedule for all pumps, mechanical equipment, and components.
However, it is almost impossible to tell you how often a pump needs servicing. This is because all pumps are different and require different amounts of maintenance. Thankfully, this information will be available in the pump manual.
Who Can Perform Pump Maintenance
In-house employees can do the majority of pump maintenance procedures. However, some may require a professional touch. There are lots of brilliant industrial pump repair and maintenance companies that will do this for you. These companies maintain pumps and repair them should any issues be found during maintenance.
What Are the Benefits of Regular Pump Maintenance?
Businesses that perform regular maintenance on their pumps can experience many benefits. Here are some of the main ones:
- Increase the life of the pump – running a business can be expensive. Thanks to this, business owners continually look for ways to save money. One way they can do this is by performing regular maintenance on their equipment, such as their pumps. Regular maintenance lets you spot problems before they become serious, meaning you can quickly repair your machinery. This can help make your machines last longer.
- Avoid costly downtime and repairs – it can cost a considerable amount of money to replace or repair a damaged pump, and it’s not just the expensive parts. The downtime of your employees can also cost a significant sum. Taking the time to shut your pump down to perform regular maintenance can save money as problems can be fixed quickly before they become more significant.
- Improve the pump’s performance – just like all other types of machinery, regularly maintained pumps perform better.
- Improved energy efficiency – no matter what your pump is running on, whether it be compressed air, fuel, or electricity, you can keep it running more efficiently if you maintain it regularly.
- Improved safety – pumps that are regularly maintained are more likely to operate safely than ones that are not. There are fewer instances of hazardous leaks, fewer breakdowns, and mechanical failures that could be dangerous to the environment or your employees.
It’s a well-known fact that all mechanical equipment requires maintenance from time to time. One piece of equipment that requires it more than most is industrial pumps. Regular maintenance on your pumps will keep them operating effectively and efficiently and help increase their lifespan while preventing any damage or repairs. So, ensure you perform regular maintenance on your pumps or hire a company to do it for you.
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