When it’s 85 degrees and sunny, a boiler shutdown might be the furthest thing from your mind, but that’s exactly why now is the perfect time to act. August offers a strategic window of opportunity to schedule preventive maintenance (PM) for your boiler and critical building systems before the fall rush kicks in.

In this blog, we’ll explore why proactive maintenance in August helps you avoid common seasonal pitfalls, extend equipment life, and ensure operational continuity when cold weather inevitably arrives. We'll also show how working with a partner like Tate Engineering gives you a powerful advantage.

RELATED: Benefits of Boiler Tuning

The Late-Season Maintenance Trap

Common Pitfalls of Waiting Too Long

Facility managers often put off PM until late September or October, when:

• Service calendars are already full
• Critical replacement parts are backordered
• Temperatures have dropped and systems are already under stress

This reactive approach is a gamble that rarely pays off. Even if you do secure a technician, they’re often rushing between emergencies—leaving little time for in-depth optimization.

Supply Chain Disruptions Are Still a Factor

Even in 2025, supply chain issues persist, especially for specialty parts like burner controls, gaskets, and flame sensors. Don’t risk a boiler sitting offline while you wait for a part that could have been ordered weeks earlier.

Check out Tate’s Industrial Boiler Parts for insight into critical components we stock and source for fast, efficient maintenance.

The Power of a Preseason Preventive Maintenance Checklist

Why PM is More Than a Tune-Up

Preventive maintenance is your first line of defense against inefficiency and breakdowns. Done properly, it can:

• Reduce fuel usage
• Prevent unscheduled downtime
• Prolong equipment life
• Uncover minor issues before they become major failures

Explore our full Preventive Maintenance Services to see what a proactive PM strategy looks like.

Your August Maintenance Checklist

Here are key preseason tasks Tate includes during August PM service:

• Inspect and clean burner components
• Check and calibrate flame safeguard systems
• Test low-water cutoffs and safety valves
• Inspect and replace gaskets or insulation
• Verify system control settings
• Check for corrosion or scale buildup
• Confirm electrical connections
• Test start-up and shut-down sequences
• Review fuel-to-air ratio efficiency

Want a deeper dive into seasonal readiness? Read our blog: A Guide to Boiler Maintenance and Heating Season Prep.

Systems to Prioritize This August

Boilers: The Backbone of Winter Operations

Your boiler is the heart of your building’s heating system. Whether it’s high-pressure steam or hot water, performance during the winter depends on how well it’s maintained now. August is the ideal time to complete full combustion testing, inspect refractory linings, and verify safety shutoffs.

See how we support facilities across the Mid-Atlantic with Boiler Preventative Maintenance.

Burners and Controls

Controls and burner assemblies are complex, high-risk components. Outdated/Obsoleted PLC burner controllers that fail & can no longer be purchased resulting in expensive upgrade control systems should be reviewed & budgeted for before failure. Small calibration issues or aging sensors can dramatically reduce combustion efficiency. Preseason PM ensures proper tuning and response, helping avoid fuel waste and dangerous shutdowns.

Tate offers combustion system upgrades and diagnostic services to help modernize performance. Learn more about our boiler systems.

More Than Just Boilers—Whole System Support

HVAC Systems: Still in Use During Shoulder Season

As temperatures swing during early fall, HVAC systems must be agile. Cleaning coils, inspecting belts, and testing thermostats ensures a smooth transition from cooling to heating, and avoids dual-system strain.

Pumps and Circulators

Often overlooked, pump systems are vital for efficient distribution. Worn bearings, leaky seals, or poor alignment can cause heating imbalances or lead to breakdowns when it’s hardest to fix them.

Tate’s PM services include full pump diagnostics as part of a holistic approach to heating system reliability.

Preventative Maintenance = Operational Resilience

Avoiding Emergencies with Smart Scheduling

No one wants to call for an emergency repair at 3 a.m. in January. But without preseason planning, that scenario becomes more likely. PM in August gives you the time to fix issues on your terms, not under the pressure of a failing system and freezing temps.

For when emergencies do happen, Tate provides 24/7 Emergency Equipment Repair and Backup Services, including access to temporary boilers and rental systems.

Contingency Planning for the Win

What’s your plan if your boiler fails this winter? If you don’t have one, August is a great time to build it. Our Boiler Contingency Plan service outlines emergency workflows, site requirements, and setup strategies to minimize downtime.

Dive deeper with our blog: Contingency Piping—Are You Ready for a Boiler System Failure?

Partner With a Proactive Team

Why Tate is Built for August PM

Tate’s deep experience in mechanical systems allows us to go beyond the basic PM checklist. Our field teams:

• Customize plans based on your facility’s heating load and equipment history
• Provide same-day diagnostics using advanced testing equipment
• Stock critical parts and replacements to reduce delays
• Support pre-season tune-ups with long-term planning

Want proof? Our blog Parts, Maintenance & Emergency Rentals walks you through real-world examples of how we keep operations running year-round.

The Long-Term Value of Seasonal Strategy

Facilities that schedule PM in August aren’t just avoiding the rush—they’re building a smarter maintenance culture. They’re:

• Saving money on energy and repairs
• Reducing environmental impact
• Creating predictability in their maintenance budget
• Supporting employee comfort and safety during winter months

Take Control Before the Cold

August might feel too early to think about boilers, but waiting until it’s “urgent” is one of the biggest mistakes we see. Preventive maintenance doesn’t just prevent problems; it builds confidence, savings, and reliability into your entire operation.

Don't leave your heating system to chance this year.

Book Your Fall PM Service Now with Tate

We’ll make sure your boilers, burners, pumps, and HVAC systems are in peak condition, long before the cold arrives. Let’s build a smarter heating season together.

 Schedule your fall PM appointment today

1-800-800-TATE