Summer Hose Maintenance Checklist
5 Checks to Make Sure Your Hose is Ready For Summer
Summer heat doesn't just affect your workers — it takes a serious toll on your equipment too. After years of helping operations prepare for the season, we've found that most hose failures are preventable with a simple pre-summer inspection. Here's what to look for before the heat puts your operation at risk.
Soft Spots and Cracking
Caused by exposure to excessive heat or incompatible chemicals, soft spots and cracks in your hose are a failure waiting to happen. A quick visual inspection of the outer layer of the hose can help prevent an accident. While inspecting, look for any bulges, discoloration, or abrasions in the hose. Soft spots and cracking commonly happen in the heat.
Corrosion or Looseness
Inspecting fittings at the end of the hose is just as important as inspecting the hose itself. Hose fittings can get corroded due to moisture or incompatible materials. Make sure the fitting is completely secured to the hose as well, as they can slip after being used for long periods of time.
Debris
Solid and liquid debris can affect the flow of your product and contaminate it. Be sure to flush out any debris caused by the environment your hose is in. Most hoses can be flushed out with water, but talk to a hose specialist or refer to the hose manufacturers specifications to determine the best way to clear out debris.
Verify Application Requirements
This should be done before purchasing any new hose assembly, but making sure the hose still falls within your applications requirements is important when the seasons change. Depending on the application conditions, the media being conveyed can heat up or cool down when the outside temperature changes. Make sure your hose can handle the new temperatures.
Hose Storage and Use
UV and sunlight can cause damage to the outer layer of your hose. Try to store hoses in shade when not in use to extend their lifespan. Make sure operators aren't dragging the hose on the ground. This is good practice all the time, but hot concrete will cause faster wear.
Have questions about your specific setup? Our team has been helping operations stay safe through summer for decades. Reach out anytime at (800) 221-9234 or email us at webmaster@hartindustries.net to get matched with a hose expert.
