Prying apart flanges to replace leaking valves can be a time-consuming and risky procedure. But that’s not the case at the Regional Water Quality Control Plant in the city of Palo Alto, California, thanks to an investment in a Valve-Out flange-spreading tool made by Specialty Maintenance Products.“I saw it online and thought it was pretty cool because of the way it saves you all the time and hassle of prying flanges apart,” says Aaron Miller, a senior mechanic at the plant. “I’d say we’re about 75% more productive than we were before.“The first time we used it, the guys were
