Another sealcoating season is coming to a close, and for many contractors, that means it’s almost time to put the equipment away and enjoy a little downtime.

If your business is anything like Wis-Coat, before you start planning that trip somewhere warm, there’s some work left to do.

I’m talking about winterizing your equipment.

Running Wis-Coat in Wisconsin has taught me a few things about cold weather. One of those lessons is that freezing temperatures don’t necessarily wait until winter to show up. Sometimes all it takes is one unexpected night below freezing in October to create a pretty expensive problem… that you normally won’t find out until it is “Go Time” in spring.

Believe me, discovering a cracked pump, broken valve, or split plumbing connection isn’t how anyone wants to start their offseason.

Getting Everything Cleaned Out

The first thing I focus on, is removing as much leftover sealer as possible.

It’s easy to underestimate how much material can remain inside a tank, pump, or hose after you’ve finished spraying for the year. That material can settle and create buildup, especially in places you can’t easily see.

At Wis-Coat, we rinse our systems with water repeatedly until what comes through is relatively clear. It’s not always a quick process, but it’s worth the effort.

You also want to pay attention to the smaller components. Spray wands, filters, strainers, and the plumbing between valves can all hold material or water. These are exactly the kinds of places that can cause headaches when you’re trying to get back to work.

Follow the cleaning procedures recommended for your particular equipment and sealer. Not every system requires the same approach.

One Night Below Freezing Is All It Takes

Here’s something I think every contractor in a colder climate should understand: water expands when it freezes, and your plumbing doesn’t appreciate that.

Pumps, hoses, fittings, and valves are all vulnerable when water gets trapped inside them.

Draining the system is important, but don’t assume you’ve gotten every drop out. There are low spots, connections, and components that can hold water even after everything appears empty.

We typically use RV antifreeze at Wis-Coat to protect certain parts of our systems. It’s inexpensive and readily available at most automotive stores. Just make sure whatever winterizing product you’re using is approved for your equipment, because compatibility matters.

Don’t overlook the equipment that isn’t directly involved in spraying sealer.

Water tanks, broom boxes, pressure washers, and even some compactors can have water sitting in places you might not think about.

I’ve forgotten about some of those myself over the years.

The Rest of Your Equipment Needs Attention Too

Your sealcoating operation involves a lot more than just moving material from a tank to the pavement.

You’ve got engines, compressors, hydraulics, batteries, belts, bearings, and plenty of other moving parts that deserve some attention before everything sits idle for several months.

Check your maintenance schedules, grease what needs greasing, inspect fluid levels, and make sure your engines and fuel systems are prepared for storage according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Batteries are another big one.

If we leave batteries sitting in our sealcoat trucks all winter without properly maintaining them, there’s a good chance we’ll be dealing with dead batteries in the spring. Sometimes they won’t even take a charge anymore.

That’s an unnecessary expense that can usually be avoided with a little preparation.

Winter Is Also a Good Time to Take Inventory

I don’t know about you, but by the end of our season, I’m usually running pretty hard trying to get those final jobs completed before the weather shuts us down.

Sometimes it feels like I’m landing an airplane that’s on fire, just hoping to get it onto the runway and into the hanger for the year.

That means equipment might finish the year with temporary repairs, worn components, or a list of things I’ve been meaning to address.

The offseason is the perfect opportunity to deal with those issues.

Walk around your equipment, look at what needs replaced, and make a list. Think about what slowed you down this season and what could make your operation more efficient next year.

It’s also the time of year when industry conferences and equipment expos start filling the calendar. If you’ve been considering upgrading or adding equipment, those events can be excellent opportunities to explore what’s available.

Finish This Season With the Next One in Mind

We spend a lot of time as contractors trying to maximize production during the busy months. We want to complete more jobs, operate efficiently, and make the most of the opportunities in front of us.

Protecting the equipment that makes all of that possible is just as important.

Spending a little extra time at the end of the season can save you a substantial amount of money and frustration when spring arrives.

When that first stretch of good weather finally shows up, you want to be out making money, not standing in the shop trying to figure out why something isn’t working.

The way you prepare today has a lot to do with how successful your next season starts.

As always, I welcome your questions, experiences, and even disagreements. Reach out to me at marvinjoles@gmail.comor find me on social media at @inthemixmj.

You can also listen to the In The Mix with Marvin Joles podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, watch on YouTube, or visit www.inthemixmj.com.

Asphalt is Opportunity.

— Marvin