Many buildings assume their glycol system is in good shape, until the first real cold spell arrives.
Every winter, our team sees the same problem: heating and cooling systems that haven’t had their glycol checked or maintained in years. On the surface, everything seems fine, but behind the scenes, the fluid may already be breaking down.
By the time the issue becomes obvious, it often shows up as frozen coils, leaks, or complete system shutdowns, right when dependable performance is needed most.
Why Glycol Maintenance Is Often Overlooked
Glycol is one of those “out of sight, out of mind” components of a building’s mechanical system. As long as the heating and cooling systems appear to be working, it’s easy to assume everything is fine.
But glycol doesn’t last forever. Over time, it can degrade, become diluted, or lose its protective properties, silently causing corrosion, fouling and energy inefficiency.
The system might look fine on the surface, but inside, the chemistry is shifting in ways that can shorten equipment life and drive up operating costs.
What Happens When Glycol Fails
When glycol is left unchecked, even for a few years, the consequences can be expensive.
Here are some of the most common issues we see in the field:
- Frozen or burst pipes: When the glycol mix gets too weak, it can’t protect against freezing, leading to cracked lines and major repairs once temperatures drop.
- Pump seal failures: Over time, corrosion or grit in the fluid can eat away at seals, causing leaks and pressure loss.
- Coil leaks: When inhibitors break down, the metal inside coils starts to corrode, creating small leaks that get worse fast.
- Reduced system efficiency: Old or dirty glycol doesn’t transfer heat the way it should, forcing equipment to work harder and use more energy.
- Unexpected downtime: These problems tend to show up right in the middle of winter, when heating demand is highest and downtime hurts the most.
Why Regular Glycol Testing Matters
Testing your glycol each year isn’t just about making sure it won’t freeze, it’s about keeping your system healthy and running efficiently. When glycol starts to break down, it can quietly damage pipes, pumps, and heat exchangers long before any visible problems appear.
A quick test gives you valuable insight into how your system is performing and helps you catch issues before they turn into expensive repairs. At a minimum, you’ll want to check:
- Concentration (%): To verify that the system has enough freeze protection for your conditions.
- pH and inhibitor levels: To ensure the fluid still protects against internal corrosion.
- Clarity and contamination: To spot any debris, sludge, or biological growth that can signal fouling or system imbalance.
Whether done on-site or in a lab, a glycol test is a simple, low-cost way to confirm your fluid is doing its job or to know when it’s time to adjust, top up, or replace it. If you’re unsure how much glycol your system requires, check out our glycol calculator to estimate your system volume in gallons.
How WMC Water Helps Protect Your System
WMC Water Management provides a comprehensive glycol management program designed to keep systems protected, efficient, and compliant all year long.
Our services include:
- On-site and laboratory glycol testing and analysis
- Glycol supply, top-up, and system conversion services
- System cleaning and flushing prior to new fills
- Safe removal and disposal of spent glycol
- Automatic glycol feed technology and filtration
Whether your system protects a commercial, industrial, or institutional facility, our team ensures your glycol program is optimized for long-term performance.
Preventive Maintenance: The Smart Investment
Preventive maintenance is not a cost, it’s an investment in efficiency and peace of mind. By proactively testing and maintaining your glycol, you safeguard your building’s critical systems and avoid costly surprises when temperatures drop.
If you haven’t had your glycol tested recently, now is the time. Contact WMC Water Management to schedule a glycol analysis or learn more about our customized preventive maintenance programs.
