As the saying goes, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." That definitely applies to your air compressor equipment, especially if you rely on compressed air for a wide variety of air tools and other processes. Knowing how to properly care for your equipment can add years to its lifespan, making it more economical to operate and more likely to perform at its best.

Here are a few crucial tips to consider when caring for your air compressor:

Make Draining Your Receiver Tank a Priority

Moisture is a constant presence in the air you breathe and the air that moves through your air compressor. The receiver tank plays a role in removing water from the compressed air, thereby creating drier air for your tools and other air-powered equipment. This also means you'll have to drain water out of the tank on a regular basis.

Prior to draining the water from your receiver tank, make sure to bleed off air pressure from the tank. Doing so will help reduce the likelihood of serious injury while reducing or even eliminating potential malfunctions. Drainage is especially important during the winter, when freezing temperatures can cause ice to form.

Keep an Eye on Your Hoses

Cracked, brittle or corroded hoses can spell trouble for your air compressor, resulting in leaks and increased wear and tear on your air compressor. You should carefully inspect your hoses on a regular basis and make sure they're not cracked or damaged. If you do see these signs, you should have those hoses replaced as soon as possible.

Check the Compressor Oil Daily

If your air compressor relies on oil, then you should have the oil inspected on a daily basis. Check for any signs of dirt and grime as well as any metal or plastic fragments in the oil. If oil levels are a bit low, make sure there aren't any leaks present and then top the compressor off with a little oil before resuming operation. The compressor oil should be changed according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

In addition to changing the compressor oil as needed, it's also good idea to replace the element that separates the oil from the air. The separator element should be inspected for signs of damage and changed every 1,000 hours of compressor operation, unless the manufacturer says otherwise.

Check the Built-In Safety Shutdown System

Many air compressors feature a safety shutdown system that stops the compressor whenever the oil pressure falls below acceptable levels or if the compressor itself starts to overheat. It's important to make sure this system is operational at all times, so it's a good idea to check and test the safety shutdown system periodically.

Keep Your Heat Exchanger Debris-Free

It's not unusual for dirt and debris to buildup on top of the heat exchangers. However, excessive debris buildup prevents the heat exchanger from releasing heat into the surrounding air, making it harder for the device to regulate air compressor temperatures.

Regular cleanings with mild detergent and a soft-bristle brush can help keep the heat exchanger in good shape. You can also use industrial no-rinse foaming spray to clean the heat exchanger without making any contact with the component itself.

Check and Clean the Air Intake System

Intake air should always have a clear path to your air compressor's engine. Otherwise, restricted airflow could force your air compressor to work harder than it should to achieve a gradually-degrading level of performance.

Make sure the intake vent is kept free of any dust or dirt. In addition, make sure the air filters are changed according to your manufacturer's service schedule.

Don't Forget About the Fuel Tank

To prevent varnish and other residue from old fuel from impacting your air compressor's performance, you should have the fuel tank drained and thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. Always add fresh fuel to the fuel tank when you're done, as using the same old fuel could reintroduce any existing performance problems you might have had earlier. For more information, consider webpages geared toward air compressors.