A crew from PECO had a tall order earlier this summer in Bristol Township as they painted high-voltage transmission towers that reach more than 100 feet above the ground.
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As part of regional transmission tower repainting project, the crews climbed the towers in the Levittown area to apply a special epoxy paint to prevent rust and corrosion.
“A lot of these structures haven’t been painted in 20 or 30 years,” said David Leedy Sr., a PECO project construction manager.
As workers hung from the towers near Lower Bucks Hospital, Leedy said: “We’re recoating the painting so it helps improve the longevity of these structures.”
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The project is part of PECO’s ongoing maintenance and involves the application of a special epoxy paint designed to prevent rust and corrosion.
As the poles rust and old paint flakes off, the elements can cause damage and shorten the lifespan of the metal structures.
PECO, which operates and maintains 190 electric transmission lines across the region, has identified 70 towers in need of repainting in 2024.
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The towers, half of which are supported by metal, have not seen a fresh coat of paint in decades, according to PECO.
Engineers at PECO routinely inspect these structures using various tools, including drones, to pinpoint the poles most in need of remediation.
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The painting process is intricate and requires crews to use ladders that attach to the towers at “U” shaped points included in their original design.
“These ladders are not left in place so workers must attach them as they go, utilizing ropes and pulley systems,” explained Brian Ahrens, a senior communications specialist at PECO.
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Painters employ rollers and special mitts to apply the new epoxy, which is expected to protect the towers for another 20 to 30 years.
When scaling the towers, the workers use harnesses and ropes secured to attachment points on the towers to prevent falls.
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Aside from the challenge of working at heights up to 120 feet, weather conditions such as high winds, rain, humidity, dew point, and temperature variations also play a critical role.
“If conditions are not right, the epoxy coating will not cure correctly, which effects the longevity of the paint,” Ahrens said.
Adding to the complexity, the transmission lines remain energized during the work to avoid disruptions in power supply to customers.
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The painting requires the painting crew to wear fire-retardant clothing as a precaution against the electricity.
In summer, heat can also be a problem for painters.
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“Proper hydration, regular breaks, and relatively short work days are crucial to keep crews safe,” Ahrens said.
In a recently shared video, Leedy highlighted the significant improvement post-painting, showing a before and after of a tower.
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