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…
Engineer inspecting steam and condensate return piping with a tablet in a mechanical room during spring maintenance.

What Should Facilities Inspect After Spring Startup in Steam and Condensate Systems?

Spring startup is an important transition point for steam and condensate systems. After a long winter season, many facilities reduce heating loads, adjust operating schedules, or bring certain systems back online after partial shutdowns. That…

What Spring Maintenance Should You Do on Steam and Condensate Systems?

Spring is the ideal time to inspect insulation, verify steam trap performance, check drainage and condensate return, and review start-up/shutdown procedures after a long winter. A focused spring maintenance walk-through helps you find damage,…

What Should You Expect from an Industrial Valve Manufacturing Partner in 2026?

In 2026, a strong industrial valve manufacturing partner should offer reliable products, documented quality, engineering support, and responsive service—not just a catalog. Colton Industries works with engineering, maintenance, and purchasing…

How Do Strainers Protect Your Steam and Condensate System?

Strainers protect steam and condensate systems by removing dirt, scale, and debris before they reach sensitive components like valves, steam traps, meters, and regulators. Without strainers, particles in the line can erode seats, plug orifices,…

Which Industrial Valve Is Right for Your Application? A 2026 Engineer’s Guide

Choosing the right industrial valve starts with knowing your process conditions—pressure, temperature, media, flow rate, and how the valve will operate. In 2026, engineers should match valve type and materials to the application to ensure…
A maintenance engineer in a white hard hat and navy coveralls kneels beside a row of stainless steel steam traps and valves, filling out a checklist on a clipboard while yellow inspection tags hang from the equipment in an industrial plant.

How to Build a Preventive Maintenance Plan for Steam Traps and Valves in 2026

A good preventive maintenance (PM) plan for steam traps and valves doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs to be consistent and documented. In 2026, plants that map their assets, assign clear inspection intervals, and track issues in…