Helpful Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Air Compressor Functioning Properly

Keeping your air compressor in good working condition doesn't have to take a lot of effort. It only requires a commitment to preventive maintenance on your part. Here are just some of the maintenance steps you want to follow to keep your compressor working properly.

Clean The Vents

Make it a practice to clean the compressor's intake vents on a regular basis. Dirty or clogged intake vents limit the amount of air that the unit can take in. When the air intake level is limited, this forces the compressor to work harder, which ultimately increases its wear and tear. The owner's manual will typically include a schedule by which you should clean the vents. However, should you work in a high-dust environment, you want to clean more often.  

Drain Moisture

When the compressor operates, moisture is extracted from the compressed air and collected within the receiver tank. Make sure you are removing the drain valve at the base of the tank to remove this moisture. Excessive moisture can spill into other parts of the compressor and cause a malfunction. The environment in which you operate the compressor will determine how much moisture accumulation you have. A humid environment will require you to drain the receiver tank more often than in a dry climate.  

Change Air Filters

Changing the compressor's air filter is important for the same reason as keeping the intake vent clean – to prevent wear and tear. After the air passes through the intake vent, it then passes through the air filter, where any dirt, dust or other debris is extracted. Debris can quickly clog the filter with regular use, causing the unit to work harder. When inspecting your air filter, pay attention to how easy it is to see through the fins. If you can't see through the filter easily, it might be time to replace it. 

Inspect Hose

It's a good idea to inspect the hose that lead in and out of your compressor often.  Typically, a quick glance at a hose will easily reveal any issues. The reason that this is so important is that a leak, crack, corrosion or any other damage to any of the hose can prevent the compressor from operating correctly as the hose are like the veins of the unit. If you see any signs of damage, make sure you are replacing the hose right away.

The more effort you put into maintaining your air compressor, the longer it will last you and the less likely it is to fail on you when you need it most. However, if you don't feel comfortable servicing your own air compressor, contact a business such as Compressor-Pump & Service, Inc.

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