Winter brings an air of excitement, holiday cheer, and the accomplishment of another year. But, it also brings cold weather. And if there are two things that don’t go well together, it’s freezing temperatures and your compressed air equipment.
When heading into the chillier season, there are simple steps you should take to ensure that your compressed air equipment will continue to function smoothly and productively.
After all, it’s not just Santa who can’t afford to get behind.
DRAIN YOUR MOISTURE, NOT YOUR POCKETS
The beginning of the Winter season goes hand-in-hand with holiday spending. But spending money on faulty equipment can quickly turn you into a holiday grinch.
To help avoid a dip in your cheer-meter, make sure that your drains are working properly. Routine visual checks on your drains can go a long way in recognizing an issue before it goes far enough to do lasting damage. Primary red flags you should look for are drains that are showing water backup or signs of freezing.
If you don’t have automatic drains on your exposed tanks, be sure to drain them routinely to prevent moisture build-up that can lead to freeze-ups in your production.
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT . . . NO, REALLY
If your compressed air equipment is outdoors or in an otherwise temperature-exposed area, you’ll need to spend a little more time considering the environment. Heat lamps, heat tape, or pumping heat into your equipment’s surrounding area will save you big in the long run.
Trust us, you’ll be thanking yourself for protecting your compressor from temperature-related screeching halts; and that’s a gift that directly impacts your efficiency and your company’s bottom line.
DRYERS HAVE STANDARDS TOO
An often-forgotten step in winter preparation is making sure that your dryer is adjusted properly. Different compressed air dryers have different standards for seasonal changes, but they generally all have some required adjustment for dropping or warming temperatures. Follow recommendations for your specific dryer type to ensure that your whole system is functioning cohesively and effectively.
It goes without saying that staying on top of routine maintenance year-round will help you avoid temperature-related issues.
If you need to catch-up on your maintenance or need assistance with your Winter prep, call a Blake & Pendleton Area Manager and we’ll make sure you’re ready for the season.
For helpful information on other topics, check out our main blog page or reach out via our Contact Us form.
Happy holidays!