Proper Care of Valve Risers Will Save Time and Money
A valve riser is a simple, but highly important piece of utility equipment. It is the piping that carries the gas or water from the main utility line to the ground surface, where it can be used. Unfortunately, standard utility caps leave risers under an almost-constant barrage of dirt, water, and pests because these unwanted items fall into the piping from the access above ground. Over time, exposure to filth can cause clogs in the piping or a failure of moving parts. Eventually, the risers may become so dirty that they have to be replaced. Also, the water or gas product can be compromised by running through unclean pipes. The process of regularly cleaning out all utility risers is time-intensive but necessary in order to save the cost of replacing them. However, there is an easier way. Debris caps exist which will keep most dirt, debris, and pests out of the important risers below.
Traditional line caps allow debris to fall into the valve risers. This debris may include water, dirt, leaves, rocks, mulch, insects, or any many other unwanted items. With the buildup of debris come several problems. Foreign material can become packed together until it interferes with normal function. Clogs form as the debris hardens and compresses against the side of the riser. These clogs can inhibit flow of water or gas. Moving parts may also be affected. Some risers telescope within themselves while not in use, like sprinkler heads. As these moving parts rub against debris, they may likely have a tendency to stick, so that they either will not rise or will not telescope into the ground. Unless risers are cleaned regularly, the buildup of grime can easily become so problematic that the entire riser must be replaced.
Clean water and gas that flow through dirty risers can quickly become tainted with the waste. This may affect the quality of the utility and potentially the health of the residents who use it. Plants, dirt, and insects in the lines may stimulate mold and other growths, making the utilities unfit for their intended uses. As time passes, the utilities will continue worsening until the entire valve riser must be cleaned out or replaced.
Cleaning risers is a time-intensive job. With the proper tools, a single riser is not difficult to clean. However, it may be impractical for a utility company to attempt cleaning all city-regulated valve risers regularly. Too many employees would be needed for the project, which would likely increase the cost of utilities for every resident. Another option would be to wait until dirt has made risers unusable. This method may create more problems for the utility companies as complaints increase and as risers deteriorate until they must be replaced. While this would require less regular maintenance, the cost of replacing the risers throughout a city would also be expensive.
Perhaps the most efficient option is the installation of debris caps in order to protect risers. With a debris cap in place, most of the dirt and foreign matter will be blocked from reaching the pipes. Clean risers can mean a higher-quality utility product and lower-cost maintenance. With quality caps, valve risers can last many more years than they would without the protection. Using debris caps can make sense for utility companies.