Make sure value mountings or head supports are secure. Losses mountings permits head and element to move in and out of the wall sleeve, undoing all the careful internal alignment.
Check the operating head and valve to make sure it is functioning properly, mechanically and that it can rotate without undue binding.
See that mechanical parts are clean and free from rust. Dirt and rust act as an abrasive, causing moving parts to wear.
Remove immediately and any water pockets in the supply piping system. Proper draining of piping is of prime importance. When the blowing medium is steam the supply pipe should have an independent direct connection to the boiler drum, to obtain the direct possible steam at maximum pressure. Steam supply piping should be insulate for safety, and to reduce condensate in the blowing system.
Make sure piping connections to soot blowers are flexible enough so that no leakage which causes abnormal stresses to develop. Proper hangers should be provided for the pipe. Pipe riser should never depend on soot blower head for any support. This always causes binding when the unit is operated.
If condensate traps are used on steam systems, dis-assemble them and clean the screens during outages to make sure that they operate properly. If a drain valve with 4mm hole in the seat be used instead of trap, make sure it is in correct place and in operating condition.
Make sure condensate is drained to atmosphere. If drains are let to blow down tanks, check valves should be used. If drain systems are connected in series to two or more boilers, check valves should be used to prevent steam from backing upon unused equipment.