An Improvement That Can Help Cut Costs
For cities that pay their cleaning department by the hour, something as simple as cleaning out the valves in the road can be an expense that seems extreme for such a small task. The problem usually isn’t with workers taking their time, but with the process involved in something as “easy” as cleaning out the valves. How can debris caps make a difference? By making the process substantially less dramatic.
Looking at the task of cleaning out water valves in a city, for example, without a debris cap makes the difference crystal clear. Although the spaces are covered by a metal plate, dirt and grit work their way beneath it and collect around and on top of the valve. The result is usually a need for more workers to spend additional time cleaning out the space around the valve before they can check or service it. Unfortunately, wasted time isn’t all that can prove to be a problem. All of that material working its way into the pipe can also cause damage to the valve requiring repair or replacement that can be expensive.
It is clear that debris caps can save money on the time it takes to service gas and water valves, but is reduced routine service time all that they have to offer? Part of what makes the caps so useful is their ability to simplify things. With locator coils, finding a valve in case of an emergency is easier and can be done faster. The result could rest anywhere between fixing a problem quickly, to potentially saving a life. In addition, it is usually possible to get color coded caps that have a handle of a certain color to tell workers what each valve is for.
Finding the appropriate sized debris caps is usually very easy. With standard sizes available, most cleaning departments are able to get the right caps without any issue. Of course, some inconsistencies exist that can make trouble for sizing your caps. In response to this sort of problem, more companies that offer the product have strived to create contact pads that can be adjusted to the required size.
Installing debris caps is as easy as putting the cap into the pipe, and rotating the handle to secure it. Some of the caps also include enough space in the bottom to snap in a locating coil, which makes keeping track of each valve, as well as its purpose a breeze. In addition to the locating feature, the caps can be locked to prevent unauthorized individuals from turning the valve on or off. This is especially useful for water valves that feed fire hydrants. If one of these valves were to be shut off without city authorization, fire fighters may spend precious time attaching equipment to a hydrant that won’t even work.
With the benefits that the caps have to offer, it’s no wonder why they are becoming more popular. Installing the caps only takes a moment more, and the payout is less trouble and expenses later on down the road. With features like locator coils, color coding, optional locking, and varying sizes all helping to save cities time and money, there can be no doubt that choosing to invest in debris caps is a worthwhile decision.