Maintenance Services
Altex Maintenance Field Support
Altex can provide your site with 24/7 mechanical maintenance support. Our crews can support any mechanical scopes that your site may have. Our highly experienced personnel can cover all of your needs with a supporting cross-shift. In many cases, our maintenance crews can transition over to Turnaround support as needed.
Maintenance Services
Altex’s embedded maintenance service succeeds thanks to our highly experienced supervision and field crews, supported by our ability to deliver custom-fabricated products directly to site.
Altex Industries offers a full line of boilermaker and pipefitter onsite mechanical field maintenance services for boilers and heat exchangers including (but not limited to):
Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger Maintenance:
- Bundle pulling and pushing
- Component disassembly and assembly
- Re-tubing and tube plugging
- Weld and flange repairs
- Portable machining
- Bolt torquing and tensioning, including controlled bolting.
- Blinding and isolation
- Hydrotesting
- Helium leak and pneumatic testing of tube-tubesheet joints
Air-Cooled Exchanger Maintenance:
- Re-tubing and tube plugging
- Header box repairs
- Header plug and gasket replacement
- Fin combing and cleaning
- Fan, drive, and motor maintenance and replacement
- Louver, linkages, and actuator maintenance and replacement
- Troubleshooting
Tower Maintenance:
- Weld repairs
- Tray work
- Bubble cap repairs
OTSG and HRSG:
- Back End Module Replacements
- Retrofits
- Pressure Part Maintenance
- Repair
Boilers and Cogen Maintenance:
- Inspections and boiler repair and maintenance
- Identify areas in distress
- Repair or replace components, including pressure parts and control systems.
Tanks - Bulk Product, Water Storage and Fuel Storage Reservoirs:
- Erection
- Seismic Retrofit
- Structural repair
Pressure Equipment Repairs and Maintenance:
- ASME Section VIII-1, U Stamp
- ASME Section I, S Stamp
- CSA B51
- ASME B31.1 and B31.3 Piping
- National Board {NB} and {R} stamps
Altex has over 450 weld procedures that cover almost all metallurgies
- Carbon Steel
- Chrome-Moly - 1/2-Cr, 1-1/4Cr, 2-1/4Cr, 5Cr, 9Cr, 13Cr
- Stainless Steel - 304, 309, 316, 317, 321, 400 series, etc.
- Duplex - S32205, S31803
- Super Duplex - S32750, S32760
- Nickel alloys - Incoloy®, Hastelloy®, Inconel®, C-276, C-22, N06625, N08825, Alloy 59, C2000, etc.
- Clad or overlayed tubesheets with above metallurgies
FAQs
What does heat exchanger repair involve at Altex?
Altex provides comprehensive heat exchanger repair services that cover everything from bundle pulling and re-tubing to flange repairs, welding, and controlled bolting. Our teams also perform hydrotesting, helium leak detection, and pneumatic testing to verify integrity after repairs. This ensures every exchanger is restored to peak performance while meeting ASME and CSA codes.
How do you know when a heat exchanger needs repair instead of replacement?
A heat exchanger typically needs repair when issues such as tube leaks, scaling, or gasket failure can be corrected without replacing the full unit. Replacement is usually only considered when the exchanger has widespread corrosion, tube-sheet damage, or efficiency loss that can’t be restored. Regular inspections and testing help determine the most cost-effective option.
How long does a typical heat exchanger repair take?
The timeline depends on the type of exchanger and the extent of the damage. Minor tube plugging or gasket replacements may be completed in a few days, while full Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger repairs, including bundle re-tubing and testing, can take several weeks. At Altex, we prioritize minimizing downtime by using portable machining and field service teams.
What services are included in Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger repair?
Our Shell and Tube Heat Exchanger repair services include:
- Bundle pulling and reinstallation
- Re-tubing and tube plugging
- Weld and flange repairs
- Bolt torquing and controlled tensioning
- Hydrotesting and helium leak detection of tube-to-tubesheet joints
Each repair follows strict QA/QC protocols to ensure compliance with ASME Section VIII and CSA B51 standards.
How is tube plugging or re-tubing performed in a shell and tube exchanger?
Tube plugging involves sealing off leaking or damaged tubes with plugs to maintain exchanger efficiency while avoiding full replacement. Re-tubing, on the other hand, replaces damaged tubes entirely and restores full capacity. At Altex, both services are performed using precision machining and welding methods to ensure a reliable, long-term solution.
What is included in your Air-Cooled Exchanger repair services?
Altex’s Air-Cooled Exchanger repair solutions include:
- Tube re-tubing and plugging
- Header box, plug, and gasket replacement
- Fin combing and cleaning for better airflow
- Motor, fan, and drive inspections and replacements
- Louver, linkage, and actuator servicing
These services extend the lifespan of air-cooled exchangers and ensure consistent cooling performance in demanding operating conditions.
How often should an air-cooled exchanger be inspected and maintained?
Most air-cooled exchangers should be inspected at least once per year, but facilities in high-dust, high-temperature, or corrosive environments may need quarterly maintenance. Regular inspection of fins, fans, louvers, and gaskets prevents efficiency loss and reduces the risk of unplanned downtime. Altex also provides troubleshooting services to identify early warning signs.
What is OTSG maintenance, and why is it critical for steam generation?
OTSG maintenance (Once-Through Steam Generator) involves inspecting and servicing back-end modules, retrofits, and pressure parts to ensure safe, efficient steam production. Since OTSGs operate under extreme conditions, even minor wear can lead to serious failures. Preventive maintenance reduces risks, improves reliability, and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements for steam generation service.
What retrofits are available for OTSG and HRSG systems?
Altex provides a range of retrofit services for OTSG and HRSG systems, including:
- Back end module replacements
- Pressure part upgrades
- Control system modifications
- Efficiency improvements through modernized materials and designs
These retrofits extend unit lifespan, improve energy efficiency, and reduce operational costs.
How does Altex handle back-end module replacements for OTSG units?
Back-end modules in OTSG units are exposed to high stress and heat, often requiring replacement during major outages. Altex manages the entire process, from module fabrication to field installation, using certified weld procedures and ASME-compliant practices. This ensures reliable performance and minimizes downtime for critical steam generation services.
