Industry Insights: Preparing for Winter
Shorter days, colorful leaves and football on TVs everywhere you turn: the signs are all around that the season’s changing. Soon, many operations will wind down for the winter months.
Before the cold sets in, here are some tips about mulch colorant storage and winterizing your equipment.
PROTECT THE COLORANT
Don’t let your mulch colorant freeze. To avoid that, totes should not be stored outside and exposed when the temperature approaches freezing. If possible, store mulch colorant inside and make sure the temperature is above 40F (4C).
PROTECT THE EQUIPMENT
A color system is likely the most valuable piece of equipment on your site. Failing to winterize it the right way can damage your water line, flow meter, water valve and color pump.
Specifically, these are the risks:
- Freezing damage
- Clogging
- Corrosion
Before the cold sets in, it’s important to protect your equipment for winter and set your operation up for success in spring.
Please consult the manufacturer about specific instructions for your machine. Preparing for winter may not be anyone’s favorite part of the job, but it is critical to getting the most out of your colorant and equipment.