What does utilities maintenance involve?

Utility repair is the most complicated and labor-intensive job that utility maintenance teams need to undertake. Underground utilities comprise all the pipes and cables that transport electricity, water, sewage, and gas to and from buildings and houses. Repair and maintenance of these utilities require excavation and digging to reach the source of damage. Without proper utility equipment or repair products, attempts to repair damaged utility structures may become even more problematic. While cost savings and efficiency are priorities for all utility companies, the most effective method is to use a proactive and preventative approach to maintaining utility structures. There are different approaches to maintaining all components of the utility grid. Some of these approaches should be implemented during specific situations and not only during emergencies.

Reactive vs. preventive maintenance

Reactive utility maintenance is the most clear-cut method and permits the equipment to continue functioning until it fails. With this method, no planned utility maintenance is done to prevent any outages. It is restored either to its original condition or allowed to perform for a limited time until it can be repaired. The pros of this strategy are that it is straightforward and involves little to no preparation. However, this strategy should only be exercised with non-critical assets that do not pose risks to safety or consistent operation.

The preventive utility maintenance strategy involves planned utility maintenance through regular inspections, equipment maintenance, and part replacement in electrical distribution equipment. The goal of this approach is to minimize breakdowns, extend equipment life, and prevent unforeseen events. This approach can be broken into three categories of maintenance activity based on complexity: basic, advanced, or exclusive, depending on who is authorized to perform the services and the activity. The preventive approach is a good protection measure where the chance of failure increases with time or usage or a known issue that can be prevented with scheduled maintenance.

What does a utilities maintenance worker do?

A utilities maintenance worker performs various skilled and semi-skilled maintenance tasks in installing, repairing, and maintaining domestic water and wastewater facilities and systems; operates multiple maintenance functions and construction tools and equipment; and performs related duties.

Products for the repair or restoration of utility structures

Concrete Products Repair (CPR) is a versatile product for repairing many types of damaged concrete. CPR is a high-strength, two-component formula that is the easiest and strongest structural repair and restoration solution for concrete infrastructure. As the name implies, CPR is not just for concrete poles. This versatile product also repairs and strengthens curbs, damaged bridges, tower foundations, transformer pads, underground vaults, and manholes.

Timberbond is formulated for the repair of wood utility poles. It is an effective product to repair end grain splitting, rot, or deterioration at the top of wooden utility poles. Timberbond is easy to apply and will create a permanent watertight seal while also filling and strengthening any cracks and voids. You can also apply Timberbond to the pole cap before installation to prevent damage.

For a secure installation of underground pipelines, look no further than PE Fusion. It is a high-strength modified acrylic adhesive designed for the coupling and splicing of HDPE pipe to standard PVC couplings and other non-standard materials such as aluminum, steel, and fiberglass. PE Fusion's powerful and easy-to-use formula makes it an ideal solution for a wide variety of underground utility installations and repairs. Whether you are running fiber cables or fixing water supply pipes, PE Fusion is the ideal choice of adhesive.

The Fiberglass Repair System is a repair sleeve used to extend the life of damaged utility poles. There are different applications and uses for repairing utility poles with the Fiberglass Repair System, including ground-line damage, upper-level damage, and storm damage repair. These versatile sleeves are wrapped around damaged utility poles and then strapped securely in place.

We offer other products, including a Secure Set Pad Leveling Foam that sets and maintains transformer pads and other utility structures like pipes, ducts, and utility boxes and acts as a seal to stop dust, water, and insects from coming in.

GRA Services International focuses on developing new products and solutions to preserve physical assets in the utility industry. Contact us for more information about our range of products and solutions for utilities maintenance and repair.