Industrial technicians inspecting and cleaning clogged strainer screens

How Do You Know When an Industrial Strainer Needs Cleaning?

How Do You Know If an Industrial Strainer Needs Cleaning? An industrial strainer may need cleaning when pressure drop increases, flow decreases, downstream equipment begins underperforming, or inspection shows significant debris buildup on…
Industrial technicians troubleshooting water hammer in a steam piping system

What Causes Water Hammer in Steam Systems? 7 Common Causes and How to Prevent It

What Causes Water Hammer in a Steam System? Water hammer in a steam system usually occurs when condensate accumulates in piping or equipment and is suddenly accelerated by steam, or when pockets of steam rapidly condense and surrounding condensate…
Industrial maintenance technicians inspecting steam system components before heating season

What Should You Check Before Starting a Steam System for Heating Season?

What Should Be Inspected Before Heating Season? Before starting a steam system for heating season, facility teams should inspect steam traps, strainers, valves, condensate return lines, drainage points, pressure-reducing equipment, insulation,…
Industrial technician performing ultrasonic testing on a steam trap in a steam system

How Often Should Steam Traps Be Tested? A Practical Maintenance Guide

How Often Should Steam Traps Be Tested? Steam traps should generally be tested at least once a year, but many industrial systems require more frequent inspection. Testing frequency should be based on steam pressure, application criticality,…
Y-strainer and basket strainer comparison for industrial piping systems

Y-Strainer vs. Basket Strainer: Which One Should You Use?

What Is the Difference Between a Y-Strainer and a Basket Strainer? A Y-strainer is a compact pipeline strainer commonly used in steam, gas, condensate, and liquid applications, particularly when debris loading is relatively light. A basket…
Industrial technician inspecting a steam trap for signs of failure

How Do You Know When a Steam Trap Is Failing? 7 Signs to Watch For

How Do You Know If a Steam Trap Is Bad? A steam trap may be failing if it continuously passes live steam, stops removing condensate, causes equipment to heat slowly or unevenly, contributes to water hammer, or develops unusual temperature or…
Technician using a thermal camera to inspect steam and condensate piping for heat-related performance issues during summer.

How Does Summer Heat Affect Steam and Condensate System Performance?

Steam systems are often associated with winter heating demands, but summer heat can also create operating challenges. In July, mechanical rooms, boiler areas, and process spaces may become hotter, equipment may run under different load conditions,…
Technician documenting tagged steam trap stations during a mid-year steam trap survey in an industrial mechanical room.

What Should Be Included in a Mid-Year Steam Trap Survey?

A steam trap survey is one of the most practical ways to understand the health of a steam system. By mid-year, facilities have usually moved past winter heating demands and have time to correct issues before fall. At Colton Industries, we…
Facility engineer reviewing steam system efficiency data on a tablet beside insulated piping, valves, gauges, and a condensate return line.

How Can Facilities Improve Steam System Efficiency Before Summer Slowdowns?

For many industrial and commercial facilities, June brings a shift in operating conditions. Heating loads may decrease, production schedules may change, and summer maintenance planning begins. That makes early summer a valuable window to…
Technician using a thermal camera to inspect a steam trap and valve station for maintenance or replacement needs.

How Do You Know When It’s Time to Replace a Steam Trap?

Steam traps are small components with a big job. They remove condensate and air from the system while preventing live steam from escaping. When a steam trap fails, the impact can show up as wasted energy, poor heating, water hammer, or equipment…