Chai for Us, Care for Them - Monsoon Maintenance: Human-Machine Edition

As the skies open up and we settle in with a hot cup of ginger chai and a side of pakoras, life seems cozy.

- Sangeeta Iyer

But spare a thought for the real workhorses — your machines. While we enjoy the drizzle from behind glass windows, they're out there getting soaked, slipping on moisture, and quietly plotting their next shutdown if ignored.

Machines don't complain. They fail silently, often at the very moment you need them the most.

So before the weather takes the wheel, here's your monsoon survival guide — for your equipment, not your umbrella.

1. Moisture Is the Sneaky Villain - Lock the Doors!

Humidity doesn't knock — it just lets itself in and makes itself comfortable. Your lubricants don't appreciate the intrusion.

• Swap open breathers for desiccant ones (because even machines hate musty air).

• Tighten those bolts, seals, and inspection covers like you'd seal a leaky window.

• For idle equipment, rainproof covers are more effective than wishful thinking.

2. Water in Oil? That's a Recipe for Slippery Trouble

Lubricants and water go together like pizza and pineapple — some people try it, but it's not recommended.

• Check for emulsification — if your oil looks like a milkshake, it's not breakfast.

• Use oils with good water separation properties.

• Apply water-resistant grease where splashes are likely to occur.

Smells funny? Looks cloudy? Don't ignore it — your lubricant's trying to tell you it's drowning.

3. Rust Is That One Guest Who Overstays His Welcome