Spring Cleaning Checklist for Compressed Air

As we come out of the winter months and the weather starts to change here in the Midwest, there are some key preventative maintenance tasks you need to perform to keep your compressed air system running smoothly. Increasing temperatures, humidity levels, precipitation, and contaminants in the air are all elements Spring brings that can have a major impact on your compressor’s efficiency.

Here are some Spring maintenance things to keep in mind as we enter the warmer months. Consider these compressed air system maintenance tasks when prepping your system and equipment for Spring and Summer to keep things running smoothly.

General Environmental Cleaning

Ensuring that the area surrounding your air compressor is clean is the first step to maintaining a clean compressor and clean air. Completing tasks like dusting the compressor and surrounding surfaces, sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping the floor around the compressor, wiping down equipment and surrounding walls, decluttering the area, and decontaminating the environment of any other dust or debris will set your compressor up for success come the warmer months.

Monitor Temperatures, Humidity Levels, & Ventilation

Because Spring brings about increased temperatures and humidity compared to the Winter months, it is crucial to monitor how these changes are affecting your air compressor. Air compressors already generate a lot of heat on their own, without the influence of environmental temperature, so it is important to properly vent this extra heat away from where the air compressor is operating- whether that be outside or to be reused in other areas of the facility. Monitor your compressor for any large temperature fluctuations that may cause overheating that can lead to shutoffs. Utilizing various fanning or air conditioning methods can assist in preventing this.

The increased humidity means that the air surrounding the compressor is also holding more water vapor. We know that as air is compressed and cooled, this water vapor condenses and turns back into liquid. If this excess liquid gets into your system, it can cause a plethora of problems affecting both your air compressor and your product. Ensuring all condensate traps, drains, and dryers are functioning reliably and properly will help mitigate this risk.

Check, Clean, and Change Filters

In the Spring, we observe increased contaminants like pollen and dust in the air. Filters are put in place to trap these contaminants from following the intake air throughout the compression process within the air compressor. That means that these filters may become increasingly dirtier at a quicker pace than usual. It is imperative that both before Spring and throughout the entire season, you are constantly checking your filters and cleaning them when necessary. In general, you should be checking your filters twice as often in Spring as you would the rest of the year. In some cases, it is necessary to replace the entire filter. Zorn Compressor & Equipment keeps an extensive stock of parts, like filters, for quick delivery to our customers who need them.

Maintain Proper Oil Levels & Monitor Oil Filters

In general, you should be taking oil samples quarterly to identify any issues that may have gone unnoticed with your oil. If you do notice an issue while sampling your oil, it is important to empty and clean the oil reservoir, before filling it back up with the proper oil.
Continuously monitoring your oil levels will also ensure that your air compressor is well lubricated and running smoothly. You will want to top off your oil level before it reaches too low a level, and you will need to change the oil about every 1,000 hours of use.

Clean Piping, Hoses, and Connections

Pieces like piping, hoses, and connectors are pieces that are frequently overlooked when it comes to maintenance and cleaning. Inspecting your piping system for leaks or corrosion, and repairing these issues before warm weather hits, will set you up for success going into Spring. Zorn Compressor & Equipment has a dedicated Technical Solutions Team that can conduct full leak detections for your facility that may even provide energy and rebate incentives in completing the repairs.
Hoses and connectors are also prone to erosion that can degrade the quality and functioning of the part, ultimately sacrificing the operation of your entire air compressor. Make sure you inspect these pieces and replace any overly corroded parts as you enter the warmer months.

Observe Belts & Moving Parts

Any moving part within your air compressor can receive extra wear and tear due to the amount these parts are working and the friction they may be causing. Inspecting belts, gears, and other internal elements for excessive wear and tear and proper lubrication can help you identify any potential problem areas before they even happen. It is important to either have these parts repaired or replaced in a timely manner if any issues are identified.

Clean Intake Vents & Valves

Any areas of your air compressor where air is traveling from the environment into the compressor will need to be cleaned as environmental air, especially in Spring, carries contaminants. Dirty or clogged intake vents and valves will reduce efficiency of your machine and may even get so bad as to stop operations all together. Cleaning these areas for Spring and monitoring them throughout the season will ensure your air compressor is operating efficiently.

Drain Compressor Tank

The water vapor that condensed into liquid must go somewhere, and many times it may settle into the bottom of your compressor tank or into a dedicated moisture trap. It is important to frequently empty these tanks and clean out any drain valves to avoid excessive liquid build-up.

Create A Preventative Maintenance Schedule

As always, having a yearly preventative maintenance schedule is crucial to the heath of your air compressor! Being proactive with maintenance instead of reactive with emergency issues will enhance your compressors longevity and protect your facility’s operations from unwanted interruptions. Zorn Compressor & Equipment has great maintenance agreements and options for all our customers. Call us today to get on our schedule for preventative maintenance on all your compressed air equipment.

ZORN'S PROMISE

Zorn is the Midwest leader of custom, engineered compressed air and vacuum solutions. We provide the best customer experience by understanding your applications and needs and offering an unparalleled commitment to customer satisfaction.

Our comprehensive product and service solutions keep you running 24/7.

Reliable equipment
Trusted brands
Seamless, easy installation
Post-sales support
Local, 24/7 service

Our compressed air experts look forward to meeting you to discuss your equipment and support needs. Please contact us directly at (262) 695-7000 with any questions or to schedule service for your system moving forward.

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