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8. Monitor wear on drum scrapers. Brooks says most drum scrapers are spring loaded, so make sure they are movable, are not stuck in one position from dirt or rust, and are in contact with the drums. Quiros says drum scrapers are usually positioned 3-5 mm off the drum surface, though some contractors like to position them closer.

"As the scraper wears, the space between the scraper and the drum increases, allowing more asphalt to cake on the drum. So check and move the scrapers closer to the drum," Quiros says.

9. Fill with clean water from a known source. Then check the tank regularly for algae, calcium deposits, or other contaminants. The water goes from the tank to the sprinkler bars and dribbles out over the front and rear drum, serving as a lubricant to prevent asphalt from sticking to the drum. "On jobsites there are various sources of water, and when you don't have control over the water supply you pick up sediment, contaminants, sand etc. and that can get into the water tank and can clog it up," Quiros says. He says clean water is also essential for the sprinkler bars. "Even using clean water you can get calcium deposits on the sprinkler system, just like you get on a shower head at home.

10. Use the machine properly. Gallert says using the roller for it's designed purpose can reduce breakdowns and general wear and tear − in addition to giving you better performance. "People tend to overwork these smaller machines all the time, figuring that they can get the same performance from a smaller roller as a larger one. But overworking a smaller roller will lead to premature failure," Gallert says. She says most unit's specs define best uses or frequency of use recommendations for equipment.