Air leaks within your compressed air system may initially seem like a small issue. After all, a tiny leak in a huge industrial system can’t really be a huge issue in the grand scheme of things, right? But ignoring the small things, like air leaks, can quickly become more of an issue than expected. Air leaks within an industrial system are not only difficult to identify but can add up quickly when it comes to cost and ultimately impact the efficiency of your system. While leaks may be easy to overlook, taking care of them promptly is important to the success of your business as a whole. Addressing the issue of air leaks before they have the chance to develop is the ideal way to keep your system running and save your operation costs.
What Causes Air Leaks in Industrial Air Compressors?
There are a variety of different potential causes of air leaks. While the cause of an air leak may be difficult to detect, knowing the potential causes of any leaks can help provide clues as to when and where to check for new leaks. Here are a few of the most common causes of air leaks within Industrial Air Compressor systems:
- Piping Materials: Depending on the material you choose for your piping, issues like leaks may be more common. While it may seem like a good idea to save money by choosing a cheaper piping material, you may find that you have to spend more on repairs in the long run, as opposed to spending more upfront for higher-end materials.
- External Damage: Most manufacturing businesses and industrial applications are housed in busy factories, where large machinery is used, and things are always moving. Putting your compression system in the middle of a high-traffic area can result in external damage to the piping of your system as a result of bumps or knocks from machines. Collisions can cause fittings to crack or become loose, leading to air leaks. Systems in highly trafficked areas should be checked regularly for external damage.
- Installation: Ensuring your systems and the piping for your air compressor are properly installed is one way to stop leaks occurring unnecessarily. Before your system is even in use, leaks can result from improper installation or poor sealing around joints. Having your system installed by a trained and experienced professional is one of the best ways to prevent leaks within your compressed air system. Luckily, those of you with businesses located near North Carolina can rely on the professionals at ESA for your piping installation. ESA’s trained techs will ensure your system is installed correctly and leak-free.
- Human Error: Human error is a part of life. We’ve all forgotten to turn lights off when leaving the house, left the sink dripping, or even to lock our vehicles occasionally. But when it comes to compressed air systems, forgetting to shut off leaking tools or close valves properly can lead to costly issues down the line.
Detecting Leaks in Industrial Air Compressors
Detecting leaks as soon as possible is important when it comes to saving money you could lose as a result of those leaks. The best way to detect leaks is through a professional leak detection survey, where high-tech equipment is used to determine the presence and location of leaks. However, there are a few different ways to detect leaks, even without this high-tech service.
- Your system encounters unexpected pressure loss.
- Your system loses compressed air, even when not in use
- You can hear the leak
- Your system is 5+ years old
The Importance of Maintenance
The methods to prevent leaks before they occur are to have your system installed by a trusted professional and enact a preventative maintenance plan designed to address and repair areas with the potential for leaks before those leaks actually develop.
- Take time for leak identification: Schedule a regular time when you or your employees walk your facility during non-production hours and identify any audible leaks.
- Ensure you maintain regular maintenance of your compressor: Sticking to a regular maintenance plan is one of the best ways to prevent issues like leaks, which are particularly prone to happen on parts that are too old and need to be replaced.
- Educate your employees: small leaks may not seem like a big deal for those who don’t know how much a little leak can cost a company. Ensuring all employees are educated on the importance of reporting and addressing leaks is one of the best ways to prevent the presence of leaks that last.
ESA For Your Air Leak Repairs
Our trained technicians have decades of experience addressing leaks within compressed air systems. Serving North Carolina and the surrounding areas over the last 60 years has given us an incredible amount of practice when it comes to repairing air compressor leaks quickly and efficiently, and our wealth of knowledge on compressed air systems gives us the upper hand when it comes to a host of potential issues with air compressors, their performance, and making sure they run smoothly for our clients.