Freeze ups

Now that we are in the freeze of winter, let’s talk regulator freeze ups. One of the primary causes of regulator freeze ups is a blocked vent. Many people think the vent is only for relief, but that isn’t accurate. In order to operate correctly, a regulator needs to be able to breathe. Think of the vent as the regulator’s nose. It uses atmospheric pressure in its normal operation, which is what actually allows the diaphragm to flex.

One of the biggest culprits of a blocked vent is freezing rain, snow, and ice accumulation. Of course, all three of these events occur when you are at your busiest. Some of these calls could be prevented with proper installation. It is imperative that the regulator is either protected from the elements or always installed with the vent pointing downward.

For your first stage or two-stage integral regulator, you will typically have a protective hood or tank dome to protect