Want to Reduce Pest Control Sprayer Downtime?

Editor’s note: Andrew Greess, a pest control equipment expert and president of equipment website Qspray.com, submitted this feature on the importance of filtration for pest control equipment.

A significant portion of the pest control sprayer repairs (power sprayer, compressed air sprayer, backpack sprayer) our shop performs are caused by clogged or missing filters.

Filtration is critical to pest professionals because debris will wreak havoc on equipment, such as damage pumps, clog hoses, guns and tips and starve pumps of water, causing extensive damage. The following article will focus on power sprayers, but much of the information also applies to compressed air sprayers and backpacks.

It's critical that the filter be located for easy technician access. This includes being able to easily reach and check the filter, as well as ensuring the system is plumbed so the filter can be checked even when the tank is full. If the tank is bottom-plumbed and the strainer is below the water level in the tank, be sure to install a shut-off valve so the filter can be checked even when the tank is full.

Checking and cleaning the filter is the single most valuable preventative maintenance task you can perform. It's also the easiest.

Don’t assume your techs know how to do this. Train them.

For new equipment, check the filter daily. If there's consistently no debris, consider reducing the frequency. When you determine the appropriate frequency, make it a company policy. Too often is better than too seldom. Reinforce the importance of checking and cleaning the filter.

Eventually the filter will become too dirty to clean. Replace it. Chemicals will eventually swell the gasket in the line strainer, making it impossible to create an airtight seal and causing the pump to suck air. Replace the gasket.

Equip each vehicle with an extra filter and gasket so the technician can perform this repair in the field. Standardizing filters across all your power sprayers will make this much easier.

Eventually the line strainer body may crack, causing an air leak. Keep a spare filter on hand to reduce downtime.

These steps, if followed, will boost productivity, allow you to provide better service to your customers and reduce repair expenses.

Andrew Greess is a pest control equipment expert and President of equipment website Qspray.com. Contact him at Andrew@Qspray.com.