How often should you check and clean strainers?

• A. Daily, or when switching formulations
• B. Weekly
• C. Monthly
• D. Only when clogged

Answer: (A)

Regularly inspecting and cleaning strainers is essential to keep the spray system performing consistently. Strainers capture debris and particulates before they can reach the nozzle or pump, protecting flow, pressure, and the uniformity of the spray. If strainers aren’t checked and cleaned often, debris can build up quickly, causing restricted flow, erratic pressure, or altered droplet sizes, which can lead to uneven coverage or drift.

Choosing daily checks, or cleaning whenever you switch formulations, addresses both routine use and formulation changes. Each day you prepare the system, you can remove any new debris and residues that have collected, keeping the filter effective. When you switch products, different solids or residues may enter the system; cleaning between formulations prevents cross-contamination and ensures the strainer is ready for the next product’s particulates.

Waiting until a clog is obvious or doing it only on a weekly or monthly basis risks performance problems and unnecessary downtime. By staying on top of strainer maintenance daily, you maintain spray quality and reduce the chance of disruption during application.