It is a good idea to clean your swamp cooler pad every year. This is usually done when your swamp cooler turns on for the first time in the year. It is easy to clean your swamp cooler pads and make a huge difference. You should wash your pads if your swamp cooler isn’t working as well.
Why Swamp Cooler Pads Cleaning Is Important?
There are many reasons why cleaning your swamp cooler pads can be so important. This water contains dissolved rocks, limestone, and sometimes iron. Although hard water is not harmful to your health, it can cause problems with your home’s plumbing, fixtures, appliances, and, of course, your swamp cooler. Hard water minerals build up over time and cause damage to your swamp cooler pads. This can cause your cooler to lose efficiency and create a fishy smell. The pads can be cleaned annually to reduce mineral buildup and increase their efficiency.
Instructions On Cleaning Your Swamp Cooler Pads
Here are the steps to cleaning your swamp cooler pads. You can also watch the video. You can clean your pads yourself. You don’t have to do it yourself. If you have someone come out to start up your swamp cooler, this service is often included. However, it is important to confirm that this service is included in the contract.
Step By Step Instructions
1. Enjoy A Day Of Good Weather
This should be done on a sunny day. If it is windy or stormy, don’t attempt to get this done. Make sure your ladder is secured and placed on a firm, level ground. For more information on ladder safety, visit the American Ladder Institute.
2. Disconnect The Power Supply To Your Swamp Cooler
Then, make sure that you have disconnected power from the unit. To access the power outlet, remove the panel from the swamp cooler. Unplug both the motor and pump cords. The receptacles will be found on the inside of the unit.
3. Take Out The Cooling Pads
Next, remove the evaporative cooling pads. The pads are located in the cooler’s front with a mesh covering. To remove the front cover, you will need to remove the panel. After you have removed the front mesh covering, you will need to remove the top panel.
Once the pads have been exposed, take out the section of the distribution tube that was laying on top. It is not connected to anything so pick it up and place it to the side. You should make sure that you keep your items safe, especially if they are on a sloped roof.
4. The Pads Condition
After the pads have been removed, make sure you inspect their condition. Are they in disarray? Are they very heavy? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, they likely have hard water buildup and should be replaced.
After inspecting the pads, transport them safely from the roof to the ground so that you can wash them.
5. Clean The Cooling Pads
After you have removed the pads from the roof, shake them manually to loosen them (much as a rug). This is an easy way to remove any foreign matter from your pads.
Look at each side of the pad before washing.
The next step is to backwash the pads. Use your hose to tilt the pad downwards. The sides of each pad will have slanted grooves that will reveal the paths within. This allows you to force debris through the pad.
6. Swamp Cooler: Place Pads Back
Place the pads back into their original positions and place the distribution tube back on top.
Place the top metal panel back into place, then insert the mesh panel in front of the panel and screw them back together.
7. All That You Have To Do Is Plug It Back In
Both the swamp cooler motor, as well as the pump, should be plugged back in. Screw the cover metal panel back into place.
