A cooling tower is a complex mechanical system that provides cool air to your building. However, because of the wide variety of equipment and features it contains, it is important that it is cleaned and maintained regularly in order to keep it at peak operational efficiency.
Regular cleaning also ensures that the system remains safe for those who are in the area; cooling towers can be the cause behind outbreaks of illness if not properly maintained.
This is why you should evaluate the specific risk factors and features of your tower to determine what type of maintenance schedule works for your system.
What Is Involved In Cooling Tower Maintenance?
Cooling tower maintenance comes in a variety of forms. From water treatment to surface cleaning and equipment repair and tuning, maintenance on your cooling tower should comprehensively address the needs of the entire system.
Proper treatment of your cooling tower includes managing the water conditions, thoroughly cleaning the surfaces of the tower from time to time, lubricating and realigning the moving elements of the machine, and staying up to date with local regulations and developments in cooling tower safety.
How Often Should You Conduct Maintenance On A Tower?
The question of how often to conduct maintenance on a cooling tower does not have a single answer for all situations.
Your tower may require maintenance more or less frequently than another facility’s tower; a skilled tower maintenance professional can help you to evaluate what sort of schedule is right for you based on the features of your system and any risk factors present.
In general, some tasks are best performed once a month or more, and others can be left for just a few times per year.
At Least Once A Month
When you are considering what is most urgent in your cooling tower, the things that should be done at least once a month in your maintenance plan include water testing and visual inspections to ensure that the most commonly fouled parts are operating as intended.
The water that feeds into your cooling tower should be regularly tested for Legionella, a dangerous bacteria that can cause fatal illness in some humans.
It is important that this element of maintenance is conducted regularly to prevent the proliferation of Legionella and stop colonies before they develop into a large problem.
In addition, a monthly inspection is a good time to examine the sump strainers to ensure that they are not clogged. You may also consider looking at the float ball to check that it is operating correctly.
Once Every Few Months
Legionella is one of the most pressing issues with a cooling tower because of its risk to human health; this is why many of your most common maintenance tasks will involve managing the potential for the bacteria through water treatment and testing.
However, these frequent maintenance responsibilities are not the only ones that you should be focused on. Every few months, you will need to plan for additional attention to certain areas.
Depending on the type of cooling tower that you operate, your motor should be checked every few months to see if it needs lubrication so that it is working at peak efficiency.
A motor that has been left without maintenance for an extended period of time may begin to degrade, and its overall lifespan could be shortened. Also, consider evaluating the fans to make sure that they are aligned properly.
One of the most critical maintenance times is when the cooling tower starts up after idling during the colder months. A more comprehensive system review is due at this time, including flushing the sump and cleaning the surfaces of the tower to clear away any buildup of sludge or bacteria.
Cooling towers that have been idling for some time have not been circulating their water treatment chemicals and bacterial abatement content, which means that the tower should be thoroughly cleaned and maintained to prevent circulating these issues through the system before they are addressed.
Work With The Cooling Tower Maintenance Experts
Whether you are unsure of where to start with establishing a cooling tower maintenance plan or you would like a professional to handle the maintenance for you so that you can focus on other important tasks, be sure to choose a company that you can trust.
The experts at Tower Water set the standard in cooling tower water treatment and would be happy to evaluate your system and offer personalized guidance on the risks and needs of your cooling tower. Reach out to schedule an appointment with a professional.