Maintenance Checklist for Winter-Proofing Your Pumps
You may be getting ready to switch off for the festive season, but what about your building pumps?
The combination of seasonal shutdowns, temperature drops, and the need to hit the ground running in January makes this a critical time to check your building pumps are in good working condition. With a bit of winter-proofing maintenance, you can mitigate risk of costly failure and ensure smooth, stress-free operations when your occupants return in the New Year.
But what should be covered in a winter service? Here's our practical guide to essential mechanical and electrical (M&E) checks that will keep your systems winter-ready.
Why Winter-Proofing Maintenance Matters
Building services pumps are the unsung heroes of commercial and industrial properties, handling everything from heating and cooling to drainage and stormwater management. Without proper maintenance, the risks of downtime or failure increase—particularly after periods of inactivity over the festive break.
Joe Smith, Operations Manager at deckpro pumps, says:
“In my 12 years at deckpro, I’ve seen the importance of M&E checks first-hand. We help customers manage the risk of downtime, and our recommended maintenance plans often prevent failures that would have caused considerable inconvenience and cost.”
A proactive approach saves time, money, and stress, ensuring pumps are ready to handle seasonal demands.
Mechanical Checks: Inspect, Test, Care
Mechanical checks are often the first line of defence in pump maintenance, focusing on physical wear and tear, alignment, and performance.
Here's what to prioritise:
Pump inspection: Look for signs of excessive vibration or wear.
Alignment and coupling: Misalignment can reduce efficiency and cause damage.
Fixings and mounts: Check for secure fittings to avoid movement or instability.
Signs of overheating: Look for discoloured or worn components.
Pipework condition: Ensure no leaks, corrosion, or blockages.
Rotating parts: Inspect impellers, shafts, and bearings for wear.
Safety elements: Check strainers, valves, and safety mechanisms.
Ventilation and purging: Confirm that slots and points are clear of obstructions.
Performance checks
Taking these steps ensures your pump’s mechanical components can handle the heavy lifting during peak operational periods.
Electrical Checks: Wiring, Sensors, and Controls
Electrical checks provide insights that aren’t always visible, helping to identify potential failures early and track motor wear over time.
Essential tasks include:
Insulation resistance tests: To detect degradation in motor windings.
Voltage and current checks: Ensure the motor isn’t overloading or running inefficiently.
Control system testing: Verify relays, contactors, and remote controls function correctly.
Earth bonding: Confirm safe grounding to prevent electrical hazards.
Safety systems: Test alarms, overloads, and inverters for proper integration.
Electrical checks not only ensure compliance with safety standards but also support better energy efficiency.
Tailoring Checks to Your Sector
Your maintenance schedule will depend on the application and environment of your pump system. Here are some key considerations for different settings...
For example:
Hospitals and Healthcare: Downtime isn’t an option, so reliability is critical. Ensure you have a robust plan with regular scheduled checks to maintain uninterrupted performance.
Education Facilities: The festive period, when students are away, can be an ideal time to shut down systems, perform performance checks, and test functionality, ensuring everything is ready for a January restart.
Leisure Centres and Hospitality: Depending on the site, usage may increase over Christmas. Schedule maintenance before and after the festive period to manage the heightened demand effectively.
Parks and Attractions: Outdoor systems are vulnerable to freezing temperatures and heavy rainfall, requiring more frequent checks during winter or after severe weather events.
Factories and Industrial Sites: High usage rates and operational demands necessitate consistent, year-round checks to monitor wear and maintain efficiency.
Commercial Offices: Maintenance is often best scheduled during quieter periods, such as weekends or public holidays (such as Christmas closures), to minimise disruption.
Shopping Centres: The festive season often sees a surge in footfall and system usage. Schedule checks before the peak period to ensure systems can handle the increased demand, and consider follow-up maintenance after the busy season.
Working closely with M&E contractors or drainage specialists? Aligning your maintenance schedule with theirs ensures holistic system health. 🏢💡
The deckpro Approach
At deckpro pumps, we’ve seen how well-executed M&E maintenance can mitigate risks and keep systems running smoothly. Joe Smith sums it up:
“We’ve had clients approach us after failed pumps, and our engineers’ reports allowed us to recommend more economical solutions like overhauls or repairs. That’s the difference proactive maintenance can make.”
By following a thorough checklist and tailoring your approach to the unique needs of your site, you can ensure your pump systems are winter-ready, saving time, money, and headaches in the long run.
For tailored advice or to schedule your winter maintenance check, reach out to us —because prevention is always better than cure. Get in touch here.
Related Reading
Enjoyed reading this? You may also like our recent two-part blog series: 'Winter Readiness', where we share our top tips for preparing your systems for colder, wetter weather. Read the first article here and discover our how to keep your stormwater systems prepped for heavier rainfall.
Or check out more of our recent articles below:
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