What is pressure welding?

In everyday shop talk, “pressure welding” means welding on equipment that holds or carries fluid or gas under pressure. That includes boilers, pressure vessels and pressure piping. A failed weld on a pressure system can release stored energy suddenly, so the work is held to a higher standard than ordinary structural welding.

In Alberta, this work is regulated under the provincial Safety Codes Act, and ABSA (the Alberta Boilers Safety Association) administers pressure equipment safety. Welders who work on pressure equipment need the right ABSA certification, and the qualification has to match the job. The exact rules depend on the type of equipment, so it’s always worth confirming the requirements for your specific project.

What is B pressure welding?

“B pressure” refers to the Grade B pressure welder certificate issued in Alberta. According to ABSA’s Grade B information, candidates are generally journeyman or Red Seal welders, or third-year welding apprentices applying through their school.

The certificate works together with a performance qualification card. The card lists what the welder is actually authorized to do, such as the welding process, materials and limits on the work. In other words, holding a B ticket isn’t a blanket approval. What matters is whether the welder’s card covers your specific weld. Learn more on our B pressure welding services page.

Pressure piping: moving fluids and gases safely

Pressure piping is the network of pipe that carries steam, gas, oil, chemicals and other process fluids. In shops it’s often built as pipe spools: sections fabricated in a controlled shop environment and then installed and connected on site. Fabricating spools in the shop generally makes it easier to control weld quality and testing.

ABSA notes that ASME B31.3, the process piping code, is adopted in Alberta for process piping where it applies. Piping construction in the province also typically involves registered welding procedures, pressure testing (commonly hydrostatic testing) and documentation of the finished work.

Different welding processes are used depending on the pipe and the job. If you’d like a plain-language overview, see our guides to TIG (GTAW) welding and stick (SMAW) welding. For the full service, visit our high-pressure process piping fabrication page. Stainless piping has its own requirements, covered on our stainless steel welding page.

Pressure vessel fabrication

A pressure vessel is a closed container that holds gas or liquid at a pressure different from the surrounding air. Air receivers, separators and heat exchanger shells are common examples. Because the contents are under pressure, vessels are built to recognized design codes, most commonly ASME Section VIII, Division 1 or CSA B51.

Alberta also requires pressure vessel designs to be registered, and ABSA’s guidance says the submitted drawings need to show the design conditions and loadings. That step happens before the vessel is built, which is why it pays to bring your fabricator in early. Our pressure vessel fabrication services page covers what we build.

Structural skids and skid packages

A skid is a steel frame that carries equipment so it can be built, moved and installed as one unit. Pump skids, compressor skids and generator skids are common. A skid package goes a step further, combining the frame with equipment, piping and sometimes vessels, so the customer receives a complete assembly.

This is where the topics in this guide meet. The steel frame is structural work. Any pressure piping or vessels mounted on the skid fall under the pressure equipment rules above. Building both together in one shop can simplify coordination. See our oil field skid packages page, and our structural beam, column and truss fabrication page for the structural side.

How it all fits together

Questions to ask before hiring a fabricator

Whoever you choose, these questions help you compare shops fairly:

1. Do the welders’ certifications and qualification cards cover the process and material for my job?
2. Which codes will the work be built to, and who handles registration and documentation?
3. What inspection and testing will be done, and what paperwork will I receive at the end?
4. Can the work be done in the shop, on site, or both?
5. Who coordinates the structural, piping and vessel work if they’re all part of one package?

Requirements vary by project and equipment type, so treat this guide as an overview. For the definitive rules, check with ABSA or ask your fabricator to walk you through them.

Shop work and on-site work

Many pressure jobs mix both. Spools, vessels and skids are commonly built in the shop, while tie-ins, repairs and modifications happen at the facility. If you’re working on an oilfield site, see our rig welding services, and for repairs at your location, our mobile welding repair service.

Contact us with any questions you may have.

Common trailer problems that call for welding

• Cracked frame welds or frame members. Cracks often start at existing welds or at stress points such as corners and crossmembers.
• Bent or damaged frames. Overloading, impacts and jackknifing can twist or bend the frame.
• Damaged hitches and couplers. Wear, rust and impact damage can weaken the parts that connect the trailer to the truck.
• Broken suspension mounts and spring hangers. These take constant load and vibration.
• Damaged decks, ramps and gates. Loading equipment onto a trailer is hard on steel and aluminum decking.
• Cracks in aluminum trailers. Aluminum can crack from fatigue and needs the right welding process and filler.

Warning signs to watch for

Catching a problem early is almost always cheaper and safer. During a walk-around, look for:

• Visible cracks, especially near welds and corners
• Rust streaks or flaking around joints
• Sagging or uneven sitting height
• Uneven tire wear or a trailer that pulls to one side
• Loose, worn or rattling hitch and coupler parts
• Bent rails, ramps or crossmembers

Why trailer repairs are a safety matter

Trailer frames, hitches and suspension parts carry the load and keep the trailer attached to the truck. A weak weld in one of these areas can fail under stress, and that can be dangerous on the highway. If you notice cracks or damage in a load-bearing area, it’s best to stop using the trailer until it’s been inspected.

Steel or aluminum: does it matter?

Yes. Steel and aluminum trailers behave differently and call for different welding techniques and filler materials. Aluminum in particular needs careful preparation and the right process. If you’d like to understand why, read our guide on why aluminum welding is different from steel, or see our aluminum welding services.

Repair on site or in the shop?

Many trailer repairs can be done where the trailer sits, which saves you hauling a damaged trailer anywhere. Our mobile welding repair and portable welding services travel to sites in and around Calgary. Larger structural repairs and modifications may be better done in the shop, where the trailer can be supported properly. A welder can tell you which makes sense once they’ve seen it.

Repairs, upgrades and custom work

Repair isn’t the only option. Trailers can also be modified, for example with added reinforcement, tie-down points, ramps or racks, to suit the work you do. If your trailer hauls equipment, see our heavy equipment welding and repair work, and our rig welding services for oilfield sites.

Contact us with any questions you may have.

What is hard facing?

Hard facing (also written “hard facing”) means welding a wear-resistant layer onto the surface of a part that takes a beating. The layer is harder than the steel underneath it, so instead of the bucket wearing away, the hard-faced surface takes the abuse. The base metal keeps its strength and the part lasts longer.

Where hard facing is used on a bucket

Hard facing goes where wear is worst. On excavator and loader buckets that usually means:

• Cutting edges
• Side cutters and corners
• Teeth and adapters
• The leading edge of the bucket floor
• Other areas that constantly grind against material

What kind of wear does hard facing fight?

Different digging conditions damage steel in different ways:

• Abrasion: sand, gravel and soil grinding the steel away over time.
• Impact: rock and frozen ground hitting the bucket hard enough to chip or crack it.
• A mix of both: common on Alberta job sites, where conditions change from one dig to the next.

The right hard facing product depends on which of these your machine faces most. Choosing the wrong one can mean the layer cracks, chips or wears out sooner than it should, which is why the material and technique matter as much as the weld itself.

Hard facing vs. waffling

People often ask how hard facing differs from waffling. They work together rather than compete. Hard facing puts a wear-resistant layer on edges, teeth and corners. Waffling lays a grid of weld beads across the bucket’s floor and sides so material slides over the beads instead of grinding directly on the steel. Many buckets benefit from both.

When should a bucket be hard faced?

The best time is before the wear becomes serious. Hard facing a new or rebuilt bucket helps protect the steel from day one. On a used bucket, it works best while the base metal is still in good shape. If the bucket is badly worn through, cracked or warped, it may need repair first, or replacement. Not sure which applies to yours? Have it looked at before the damage gets worse.

Hard facing in the shop or on your job site

Downtime costs money, so we come to you when that makes sense. Our mobile welding repair service covers Calgary and surrounding areas, and larger jobs can be handled in the shop. If you want a broader look at what we do for excavators, loaders, dozers and attachments, see our heavy equipment welding and repair page.

Contact us with any questions you may have.

Start with the base metal

The bucket body is what you’re really paying for. Edges, teeth and cutters are designed to be replaced. If the main structure (floor, sidewalls, ribs and mounting points) is still solid, repair is usually on the table. If the structure itself is failing, the equation changes.

Signs a bucket is usually worth repairing

• Worn or rounded cutting edges
• Missing or worn teeth and adapters
• A few cracks in accessible areas
• Worn corners or side cutters
• Wear that hasn’t yet gone through the plate
• Damage caught early

In these cases, repair often restores the bucket at a fraction of the cost of a new one, and protection such as hard facing or waffling can help keep it from wearing out again so quickly.

Signs replacement may be the better call

• The floor or sidewalls are worn thin or through
• The bucket is bent, twisted or warped
• Cracks keep returning after repair
• Mounting points or pin bores are badly damaged
• Repair would cost close to the price of a replacement

Even then, it’s worth having a welder look at it. What looks like a write-off is sometimes repairable, and what looks fixable is sometimes a waste of money.

Questions to ask before you decide

1. How much of the original steel is left?
2. Is the damage in one area, or all over the bucket?
3. How much would downtime cost you while you wait on a new bucket?
4. What material are you digging, and will repair and protection hold up to it?
5. How many hours of life does the machine itself have left?

Don’t forget downtime

Price isn’t the only cost. If a replacement has to be ordered and shipped, the machine sits idle. A repair on site can get you working sooner. Our mobile welding repair service travels to job sites in and around Calgary, so you may not have to haul the bucket anywhere.

Contact us with any questions you may have.

Repair, fabrication or on-site work?

Nearly every request fits into one of three groups. Knowing which one you are in makes the first conversation much shorter.

• Repairs restore something that already exists: a cracked trailer frame, a worn excavator bucket, a leaking aluminum tank or a broken bracket. The goal is to bring the part back to service, ideally stronger than before.
• Fabrication means building something new from raw material, such as railings, stairs, gates, beams, skids or a custom part made to your drawing or measurements.
• On-site work covers both repairs and installation when the item is too large, too heavy or too busy to bring to a shop. Equipment in the field, steel on a construction site and fixed structures usually fall here.

Common services and where to read more

The table below groups the work we handle by the type of job. Each link goes to a page with more detail on that service.

For the full list in one place, see our welding and fabrication services overview.

Which welding process does your job need?

You do not need to choose a welding process yourself, but it helps to know why a welder might recommend one over another. The main factors are the metal, its thickness, where the work happens and how the finished weld will be loaded.

• MIG (GMAW) is fast and clean on steel, stainless and aluminum, and works best indoors. See what GMAW welding is.
• TIG (GTAW) gives the most control on thin material, stainless and aluminum where appearance matters. Our GTAW TIG welding guide explains why.
• Stick (SMAW) handles wind, dirty steel and thick sections well, which is why it is common for field repairs. Read the SMAW stick welding guide.
• Flux-cored (FCAW) deposits a lot of metal quickly and is popular for structural and heavy equipment work. See our flux core arc welding guide.

Shop or on site?

Bringing a part to the shop is usually the most controlled option. The welder can position the work for the best angle, keep it out of the wind and use the full range of equipment. On-site work makes more sense when moving the item would cost more time or money than the repair itself, for example a loaded trailer, a machine that cannot travel, or steel that is already installed.

A few questions decide it: Can the part be removed safely? Is there power and room to work around it? Will weather affect the weld? Does the equipment need to be back in service the same day? If you are not sure, describe the situation and we can suggest the better option.

What to send when you ask for a quote

A clear request saves a site visit in many cases. These details help us understand the job before anyone picks up a torch:

• Several photos: one of the whole item and close-ups of the damaged or planned area, ideally with a tape measure in the shot
• The material, if you know it (mild steel, stainless, aluminum or cast)
• What the part does and what load or pressure it carries
• Drawings, sketches or rough dimensions for new fabrication
• Where the work is, and whether the item can be brought in
• Your timeline, and whether the equipment is down right now

Questions worth asking any welding shop

1. Have you repaired or built this type of item before?
2. Which process and filler metal do you plan to use, and why?
3. Will the area be cleaned, ground or bevelled before welding?
4. Does the job need any certification, inspection or documentation?
5. Can the work be done in the shop, or does it need to be done on site?

A good welder will be happy to explain the plan in plain language. If a repair is not worth doing, they should tell you that too. Our article on whether to repair or replace a worn excavator bucket is a good example of how that decision is made.

Welding in a Calgary climate

Local conditions affect welding more than people expect. Cold steel pulls heat out of a weld quickly, so thicker parts often need preheating in winter to avoid cracking. Snow, frost and condensation have to be dried off the joint first. Road salt and gravel are hard on trailers and truck equipment, which is why spring is a common time to find cracked cross members and rusted mounts. Planning repairs before the busy construction season can also save waiting time.

Contact us with any questions you may have.

Why Aluminum Fuel Tanks Require Specialized Repair

Aluminum fuel tanks are known for being lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and strong — but over time, they can still develop damage due to vibration, road debris, or fatigue. Unfortunately, not every welder is equipped to repair aluminum correctly.

At Fabrication Pros, we use TIG (GTAW) welding techniques designed specifically for aluminum, ensuring clean, controlled welds that restore tank integrity without contamination. Our team follows strict safety standards and performs pressure testing on every repair to guarantee leak-free performance.

Common issues we repair include:

• Cracked or punctured aluminum tank walls
• Weld seam failures and leaks
• Corrosion or pitting from moisture or road salt
• Damaged mounting brackets or fittings
• Custom modifications and re-welds

Our Aluminum Tank Repair Process

Every fuel tank repair in our Calgary welding shop begins with a thorough inspection. We identify the root cause of damage, clean the affected area, and remove contaminants before welding.

Next, we use high-grade 4043 or 5356 aluminum filler rod, depending on the tank’s composition, to ensure maximum strength and corrosion resistance. After the repair is completed, we pressure test and seal-check the tank to ensure it meets — or exceeds — original safety standards.

We work on:

• Highway truck fuel tanks
• Agricultural and industrial diesel tanks
• Construction equipment fuel cells
• Marine and RV aluminum tanks
• Custom aluminum reservoirs

Mobile Welding Services Available

Can’t bring your equipment to our Calgary shop? No problem. We offer mobile aluminum welding services throughout Calgary, Airdrie, Okotoks, Cochrane, and surrounding Alberta areas. Our rig welders are equipped for on-site fuel tank repairs — perfect for fleet vehicles, heavy equipment, and work trucks that can’t afford downtime.

Why Choose Fabrication Pros?

• Certified Aluminum Welders – Skilled in GTAW/TIG welding for high-precision tank repair.
• Locally Owned and Operated in Calgary – We’re proud to serve Alberta’s industries with dependable service.
• Fast Turnaround Times – Get your tank back in service quickly with minimal disruption.
• Affordable and Honest Pricing – Clear estimates, no hidden costs.
• Safety and Quality Guarantee – Every tank is leak-tested and certified safe before return.

Contact us with any questions you may have.

What Is Waffling on an Excavator Bucket?

Waffling (sometimes called “bucket armouring”) is a reinforcement welding technique used to strengthen the surface of an excavator bucket. It involves welding a grid or crosshatch pattern of steel beads across high-wear areas — usually the bucket’s bottom, sides, and sometimes the back.

This pattern forms a tough, raised grid that looks similar to a waffle — hence the name. The welded beads are strategically applied to absorb and deflect impact, reduce abrasion, and create a buffer between the ground material and the bucket’s base metal.

How Waffling Protects and Extends the Life of Your Bucket

Excavator buckets are constantly exposed to rock, gravel, clay, and abrasive materials that wear down the steel surface over time. Without reinforcement, this can lead to thinning, cracks, and eventual failure.

Here’s how waffling helps:

1. Distributes Impact Forces
   The raised grid pattern disperses stress evenly across the bucket’s surface, minimizing weak spots and cracking.
   
2. Reduces Wear on Base Metal
   The welded steel beads act as sacrificial layers — they take the brunt of the abrasion instead of your bucket shell.
   
3. Improves Bucket Strength and Rigidity
   The waffled pattern adds structural integrity, reducing flex and deformation under heavy loads.
   
4. Lowers Maintenance Costs
   With proper waffling and hard facing, you’ll spend less on bucket replacements and downtime, keeping your equipment in the field longer.
   
5. Customizable for Your Application
   Depending on the material you’re working in — whether it’s rocky foothills west of Calgary or clay-heavy job sites in southern Alberta — waffling patterns can be customized for optimal protection and performance.
   

Why Calgary Contractors Choose Local Welding Experts

In Alberta’s demanding excavation and construction environments, experience matters. At Fabrication Pros, our certified rig welders and heavy equipment specialists understand the challenges of local conditions — from cold-weather operations to abrasive soils and high-hour equipment.

We use premium welding wire, advanced fabrication techniques, and mobile rig welding services to deliver durable results that stand up to the toughest jobs. Whether your equipment needs a bucket rebuild, hard facing, or waffling, we’ll help you extend the life of your assets and keep your crew working efficiently.

Contact us with any questions you may have.