Whether you're new to the industry as a whole or you're just new to owning a mobile spray foam trailer, it's important that you know how to maintain your equipment correctly. Failing to maintain your equipment and trailer may leave you with malfunctioning equipment and lost money due to the downtime required to repair it. Here are some tips that you can use to ensure that your gear is in the best possible condition at all times.
Things You Should Do Daily
Before you get started each day, there are a few things that you should do to ensure that your equipment is fully functional and ready to go.
Prep your generator: Your generator needs to have sufficient coolant and oil before you can use it. Check the levels each morning and top off whatever's needed.
Prep your compressor: The compressor will experience some condensation buildup overnight, so you should always drain the water reservoir first thing in the morning. While you're at it, drain the filter bowls too. Make sure the oil and fuel levels are topped off as well.
Warm up your generator: Before you start applying any foam, allow your generator at least a few minutes to run and warm up. That way, it can more easily handle the foam load when you spray.
Cycle your transfer pumps: Make sure that the desiccant dryers are in good condition. Check for spent desiccant and replace them when necessary. While you're at it, open the valves on the transfer pumps so that they can cycle any remaining material. Listen as they run for any signs of missing, skipping, or other problems.
Test the safety of your spray gun: Check the function of the safety switch on your spray gun every day. In addition, engage the fluid stop valves and check for any misting from the gun. If anything comes out of the gun nozzle when the stop valves are engaged, that means you need to have the spray gun repaired before you can use it for foam application.
Grease the spray gun: If you have a greaseable spray gun, you need to grease it at the end of every day. Make sure you only apply the recommended amount of grease, though. Don't over-grease it, or you'll end up with operating issues.
Clean the trailer: At the end of every work day, sweep out your spray foam trailer and make sure that there are no spills or other messes.
Things You Should Do Each Week
Once a week, you should spend a little extra time on your maintenance tasks. Here are a few things you should do.
Maintain the proportioner: Check the condition of the lubricant in the proportioner every week. If it's dark brown, milky, or white, you should replace it right away. The lubricant is essential for the pump rods. While you're checking the lubricant, clean the inlet strainers as well.
Clean the spray gun screens: Remove and clean the screens in your spray guns every week. This keeps any accumulation of debris from interfering with your spray and ensures that you're getting the right balanced mixture.
Clean the mix chamber port: You can use a drill bit, a small rod, or other device to clean out the mix chamber port. It's important that you do this carefully so you don't damage the port, but you should clean it weekly to avoid any buildup that could alter your mix ratio.
Dust your equipment: Wipe down all of the equipment in the trailer every week. This eliminates any dust so that you don't have dust particles contaminating the foam spray.
To learn more about spray foam trailers, contact a company like Spray Equipment and Coatings Inc.