ForConstructionPros.com

The key, says King, is to make sure the entire system, including the tank, pump, filter basket, all discharge lines, and surge tank, is completely clean of sealant, debris, and water. He says an anti-freeze solution (windshield washer fluid or RV antifreeze − both of which are environmentally friendly) will help protect valves and other critical components from being damaged by cold weather.

Steve Dixon, co-owner of Nealco distributor Dixon Sealer & Supply, Scranton, PA, recommends leaving an anti-freeze solution of 1:1 ratio in the machine all winter long. “After the machine is completely clean, contractors should suck antifreeze into the plumbing and pump until the pump goes to neutral,” Dixon says. “It will take approximately five gallons. Turn the motor off and the pump and plumbing is now ready to go through the winter.”

Set a date

“People don’t appreciate the destructive power of water and sealant freezing,” says Craig Erickson, founder and vice president of Equipt. “Thoroughly cleaning equipment at season’s end should take top priority. My advice to contractors is to set a date for their last sealcoating job, and stick with it. Maybe it’s when they have only 10 to 20 gallons of sealant left in their tank. They can run that out, and then winterize their equipment. Otherwise, it can be very tempting to continue taking late-season jobs and one day end up with a full or partially full tank of sealant. Then, spending time cleaning up his machine becomes even less attractive, not to mention having a couple of hundred dollars of sealant in the machine and nothing to seal.”

Like King, Erickson advises contractors to flush out the entire system and then leave the ball valves open to allow all the water to escape. King notes, too, that contractors with a water fogging system need to ensure that it, too, is free of water.

Timely tips

King also advises contractors to store equipment indoors and to remove the battery to a warm, dry place. Putting it on a trickle charger for the winter will help maintain cells. Adding a fuel additive to keep fuel fresh, inspecting bearings to make sure they’re not leaking, and following manufacturer recommendations for oil changes should be part of a solid winterizing strategy.