How often do you give your rig a good thorough cleaning? You should do a thorough cleaning and inspection a few times a year. Taking the time to clean your rig from top to bottom will help you see any regular wear and tear from use and be able to address those areas before they become a costly problem. Be sure to address any rust areas or leaky zones to help keep your rig spraying for a long time to come.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Weather
Keep Your Material Warm
Having warm material is very important for spray foaming, however, it is easy to think a few degrees won’t make a difference. It is important for the health of your equipment and the quality of your work to wait for those few extra degrees to get you the best quality!
Remember to always warm up material to the manufacturers recommended temperature to get the best spray!
Ventilation at the Job Site
It may seem redundant but, when spray foaming, keep your job site ventilated and do it every single time you spray. Keeping the work area ventilated will prevent unnecessary exposure to fumes and particles that can cause damage to workers. Best practice is to be aware of the airflow and have a source of entry and a way for air to flow out of the work space. Also remember to keep the area ventilated until the re-entry time specified by the foam manufacturer.
For more information on proper ventilation procedures review the EPA Spray Foam Ventilation Guidelines
Spray Foam Equipment Thermal Expansion Hazard
Fluids subjected to heat in confined spaces, including hoses, can create a rapid rise in pressure due to the thermal expansion. Over-pressurization can result in equipment rupture and serious injury.
Watch for Crystals Forming in your Hose
When winterizing and storing hoses over an extended amount of time, be sure to clean the system thoroughly. Often, the flush and remaining isocyanate will separate over time. With the isocyanate clinging to the hose walls, fittings and various locations throughout the equipment doesn’t come out 100% with an initial flush. As a result, when the hose is put back in service, the heating required will cause expansion – dis-bonding the settled isocyanate. To help prevent this, be sure to thoroughly flush the system and follow up with a second flush within 3-4 days. This action will allow time for the remaining isocyanate to settle and be cleared with clean flush.
Prepare for Cold Weather
With the cold weather quickly approaching and roughly 20 good working days between now and Thanksgiving, it’s important to make the most of product yield and production by being prepared. Make sure drums are warm and ready for the job by keeping them heated with products such as the Barrel Blazer heating system. Temps are dropping in evening, so container temps are going to drop. Plan ahead and be effective!
Weather Conditions
As seasons begin to change, it’s easy to overlook the still-frigid-nights with the sunny days. Temperatures fluctuate from day to night, even in the spring and summer, so I recommend keeping your material stored and warm overnight. Don’t let the sun fool you!
