Spray Equipment Maintenance – Why Bother?

With many pest managers opting for ‘disposable’ plastic sprayers, we ask, ‘What’s the value in maintaining your spray equipment?’

Spray equipment maintenance sounds like a pretty boring subject, but if you’re a seasoned pest manager you will know the benefits of maintaining your spray equipment and if you want to be a professional pest manager, you need to know the benefits.

The first benefit of maintenance and the one most pest managers will mention, is to simply make sure the sprayer keeps working; the last thing you want is for the sprayer to break down when on the job. There is a significant cost associated with a breakdown if no backup sprayer is on hand, with the need to revisit the client to complete the job and potentially reschedule other work, apart from the costs involved in repairing or replacing the equipment.

The second benefit is that a well maintained piece of equipment will last longer. Whilst the ‘old-fashioned’ stainless steel sprayers should last a lifetime with regular maintenance, many now use the cheaper plastic sprayers, which some pest managers view as disposable. But even with these newer sprayers, with a bit of TLC, a well maintained sprayer that lasts three years (for example) should be a cheaper option than changing the sprayer each year (when it breaks down through lack of maintenance).

Importantly, proper maintenance is required to ensure the spray equipment delivers the right amount of product in the desired spray pattern. Nozzle and filter blockages will impact spray volume and spray pattern, meaning lower than desired insecticide application and/or uneven spray coverage. Both spray issues will deliver sub-optimal performance and increase the potential for the dreaded callback.

Spray equipment maintenance is also important from a safety point of view, in particular with regard to leakages. Leakage not only looks unprofessional whilst spraying, but it is in effect an uncontrolled insecticide application with the associated safety concerns. Explosive leaks, as a result of a blockage causing a pressure build-up, are even more of a safety concern.

The last benefit of regular spray equipment maintenance is more of a mindset or behavioural benefit. Regular maintenance creates a quality mindset, and helps develop pride in one’s work and attention to detail, behaviours which hopefully transfer to other aspects of the job. This is important as a sole operator, but more so with employees, when business owners want to know that technicians are taking care in their work and providing a quality service. Regular maintenance also provides practical training to allow repairs to be carried out on the go, should an equipment fail happen on the job.

So, what type of maintenance is required? Firstly, there is the everyday maintenance. Cleaning the equipment at the end of the day, sometimes between uses, is essential. Ensure the spray tank, hose and filters are

clean and free of debris. If different products are used in the same spray equipment, cross-contamination can cause performance issues. Suitable cleaning products can also be used in the cleaning process. Such products may not be required on a daily basis (unless switching products), but should be used on a regular basis (for example each month) to ensure all residues are removed from the spray tank, hose lines and spray wand.

Secondly, break down the spray equipment on a regular basis and clean it. Not only will this ensure a thorough clean, it will allow wearable parts to be replaced, either according to the recommended replacement plan or should wear and tear be noticed.

Lastly, any pumps themselves also need regular servicing, particularly the pumps used for the main spray tank. Follow the recommendations of the supplier regarding service intervals and requirements – this will ensure the pump delivers optimal performance and will maintain any warranty.

Maintenance should also be a consideration before purchasing any equipment. For the bigger, more expensive bits of kit – namely the pumps for the main spray tank – ask the necessary questions. What maintenance is required? How often is it needed? How much will it cost? Who will carry it out? How long will it take? How easy is it to get replacement parts? Answers to these questions have a cost associated with them and may indeed impact your purchase decision.

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