How Regular Plumbing Equipment Checks Prevent Accidents Underground?

Plumbers face a variety of hazards in their daily lives during their jobs. These range from extreme temperatures, burns or electrocution, and musculoskeletal disorders due to cramped spaces. The dangers they face, however, are amplified when they work in underground settings.

That’s because they have to deal with additional dangers like the ground caving in due to structural weakness. Apart from that, they also have to deal with buried gas and power lines, above-ground activity, and constant leaks.

In the face of such issues, not maintaining your plumbing equipment can lead to further danger. That’s because they can cause unwanted injuries and also damage the underground utilities.

So, you should carry out frequent equipment checks to prevent these incidents. But that’s not the only reason. Let’s cover this in detail below.

Why Are Regular Equipment Checks Critical?

You should perform equipment checks before, during, and after each job. Performing equipment checks prior to the operation will help you spot any issues in the equipment and replace them if necessary.

Checking or inspecting your plumbers’ equipment during the job allows you to monitor the state of the equipment. In case you find any damage, you can replace the equipment immediately to prevent unwanted contamination or equipment-related accidents.

Let’s take a look at these accidents in the table below.

Underground Accidents that Equipment Inspections Prevent

Plumbing-based equipment checks help prevent the following types of equipment-related accidents when working underground:

Table 1: Equipment-related Accident Prevention Through Inspection

But that’s not all, there are some other serious hazards as well, which can be avoided with the help of pre-use inspections.

Serious Hazards Prevented by Equipment Inspections

The type of serious hazards that plumbing-based equipment checks help prevent are mentioned in the table below:

Table 2: Overview of Hazards Prevented By Pre-Use Plumbing-Based Equipment Inspections

Performing an equipment check after the job is important since you can verify whether they need to be replaced or cleaned. If they are still good to use, you can avoid having to purchase new equipment again. 

Additionally, preventative maintenance is far cheaper and safer than emergency repairs or replacements. If you’re a supervisor, you cannot skip the equipment inspection since it is mandated by bodies like OSHA.

In fact, the OSHA 29 CFR 10 regulation mandates that regional directors and administrators ensure that inspections are carried out regularly. But which plumbing equipment is prone to failure? 

Let’s explore the equipment below. 

Which Plumbing Equipment Is Most Prone to Failure?

The type of plumbing-related equipment that is most prone to failure includes the following:

Table 3: Types of Plumbing Equipment That Are Prone To Failure

Since these plumbing tools and equipment are prone to damage due to the mentioned reasons, you should consider a preventive maintenance schedule. Doing so will prevent you from waiting until the equipment is damaged and ensure equipment longevity. 

Plumbing Equipment Lasting after Preventive Maintenance

Take a look at the table below to get an idea about how long plumbing equipment lasts when performing preventive maintenance. 

Table 4: Typical Equipment Lifespan (with Regular Maintenance)

*Note: The lifespan of the equipment given is an approximation. The actual lifespan will depend on the environments they are used in and their manufacturing quality. 

We’ve learnt about the importance of inspection and which equipment is prone to failure. Let’s now learn how to identify signs of the failure of equipment used in plumbing below.  By learning how to identify the signs of equipment failure, you can avoid costly replacements later on.

How to Identify Early Warning Signs of Plumbing-based Equipment Failure?

There are two ways you can identify signs of plumbing-based equipment failure. These include gradual failure and intermittent failure. Let’s take a look at those below. 

Intermittent Failure

Intermittent failure refers to when the plumbing-based equipment malfunctions occasionally. It is not possible to predict when the equipment will fail. The reasons behind this type of failure include:

• Loose wiring or nuts and bolts in sump pumps or wrenches
• Mechanical wear and tear in hoses 
• A sudden decrease in water pressure in the sump pumps, restored after a while
• Flickering displays in drain cameras 

In case you notice these signs frequently, you should consider replacing the plumbing equipment instantly. In case these problems are occurring due to the failure of the components, then replace those instead.

For instance, a flickering display in your drain cameras can be caused by a low battery. In such an instance, you should replace the battery. If you’re not able to identify the causes behind the intermittent failure, consider contacting the manufacturer for more information.

Gradual Failure

Unlike intermittent failure, gradual plumbing-based equipment failure occurs over time. You will find that your ability to work with these devices worsens over time. The reasons behind this type of failure include:

• Decreasing quality of visual feedback in drain cameras
• Gradually decreasing pressure in sump pumps
• The dulling of your pipe-cutting blades 
• Stiffening of equipment jaws in wrenches or cables in drain or sink augers
• Leaking of oil from hydro jetting pumps

If you notice any of the above signs, you should replace your plumbing equipment instantly.

Wrapping Up

You should regularly inspect your plumbing-based equipment to ensure equipment longevity and prevent accidents underground. Inspecting your plumbing-based equipment also ensures that you are able to protect your team from unwanted injuries or possible loss of life. 

Remember to thoroughly understand and explore the working and functioning of each type of plumbing equipment before you carry out your inspections. This knowledge will help you carry out inspections such that you do not damage the equipment further. 

Ready To Keep Your Team Safe?

Partner with us to source high-quality plumbing equipment and inspection tools across the U.S today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1 How to Detect Signs of Equipment Failure in Hydro Jetting Pumps?

Ans. Some of the common signs of equipment failure in hydro jetting pumps include leaking oil, dripping water, or shaking when the pump is turned on. 

Q.2 Is It Better to Replace or Repair Malfunctioning Equipment?

Ans. Ideally, it is better to replace malfunctioning plumbing equipment since the equipment might fail later on after repairs. You can get in touch with us to source high-quality equipment.

Q.3 Which Plumbing Equipment Is Most Prone to Damage or Failure Due to Heavy Use?

Ans. Since plumbers use hand tools like wrenches and augers frequently, they are most prone to damage and failure.

Q.4 How Frequently Should Equipment Checks Be Performed?

Ans. You should perform plumbing equipment checks before, during, and after the operation to prevent accidents. While some equipment, like portable power tools, must be checked daily, others, like safety gear and testing equipment, require weekly or monthly checks.