At minimum, steam traps should be checked twice a year. Failing steam traps can block the escape of live steam, minimizing energy waste.
Failed traps can allow large amounts of steam to pass through the equipment before giving up its thermal energy content. Failed traps can also lead to water hammers, which damage the building’s system and produce undesirable noise.
Signs of a failed steam trap can include: when a trap fails to discharge condensate, there is no condensate or steam coming to trap, there is a worn or defective mechanism, the trap body is filled with dirt, or the trap is constantly discharging.