Three Common Maintenance Issues – And How to Prevent Them
Just one out-of-order machine can seem rather insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Right?
Not so fast.
In the long-term, downtime means lost revenue and frustrated customers. When easily prevented maintenance issues occur regularly, it can even lead to a dramatic drop in a machine’s longevity and negate a store owner’s original investment in the equipment.
With that said, all self-service laundry owners should make it a point to familiarize themselves with the following three common maintenance issues, as well as their solutions – your customers and your bottom line will thank you.
Clogged Drains
When customers are mindful of checking their pockets and laundry for items such as nails, pens and coins, a clogged drain is an unlikely service issue. However, when this important step before loading a washer is overlooked, unclogging a washer-extractor’s drain is likely to end up on your to-do list.
Customer complaints about soaking wet linens and clothes upon removal from the washer are a common sign of a drain clog. This is due to a washer-extractor’s gravity drain system not working properly. During a normal fill step, the drain valve will mechanically close to retain the water. At the end of this step, the drain will open and water will exit into the main drain in less than 30 seconds. The washer will then proceed to the next step. When drain valves and drain pipes are clogged, water cannot empty properly and, therefore, the washer may not be able to complete the spin step correctly.
Another issue related to debris can originate in the drain valve. If debris accumulates in the area of the seal within the drain valve, the drain will be unable to mechanically close securely. Water will trickle out of the washer into the drain, and in some cases, the leak can be significant enough to affect the cycle.
These issues can be prevented simply by going directly to the source of the problem – the customer. Consider placing posters and banners around the store – in multiple languages, if necessary – that serve as a friendly reminder to inspect pockets and remove any items before loading washers. Additionally, machine drains should be cleaned either monthly or quarterly, depending on use, to make certain there is nothing caught in the drain that can capture lint or prevent water from exiting.
Obstructed Inlet Valves
Similar to clogged drains, obstructed inlet valves – hot and cold water valves – will significantly increase the fill time. Blocked inlet screens will reduce water flow into the machine, ultimately creating longer fill times and thus increased cycle times.
To ensure correct operation during a cycle, inlet screens should be cleaned or replaced either monthly or quarterly, depending on usage and water condition. Unless they are being replaced, inlet screens should never be removed, as the screens provide protection to the inside components of the valve. I recommend to both new and seasoned store owners alike to get to know their machines. When a machine is new and working optimally, take time to learn its average cycle times and write this number down. This makes it easy to compare fill and drain times to the original number down the road, after the machine has seen frequent use. Modern machines even feature state-of-the-art control systems that can track cycle times, slow drain detection and efficiency from any internet-connected device, eliminating the need for manual monitoring. Store owners also can get to know their machines simply by listening. As one becomes familiar with a machine’s typical sounds and cycle transitions, a machine experiencing slow fills or other abnormalities will stand out.
Lint Accumulation
Dryers are a critical revenue stream for a store, so it’s important they are maintained properly and in their best working condition. If not removed routinely, lint easily builds up in the dryer and duct system, reducing airflow. When this occurs, dryers are forced to operate at elevated temperatures, increasing maintenance issues. Lint accumulation also prevents heated air from being drawn through linen and reduces a cycle’s effectiveness.
It may seem like common sense, but lint screens should be cleaned once or twice a day – and even more often on days with higher traffic – to prevent accumulation. Another key to preventing lint buildup occurs at installation. When a dryer is not properly installed, maintenance issues can double, and utility costs increase dramatically. If air is not exchanged properly, lint will accumulate heavily behind dryers, and motors and burners can eventually become clogged.
Upon installation, laundry owners should carefully review installation manuals with their distributor to guarantee all of the requirements have been met. Taking this extra measure before operation begins can add years to a dryer’s operational lifetime, while improving store revenue, increasing safety and maintaining customer satisfaction. Remember, just because a dryer turns on doesn’t necessarily assure that it’s working efficiently or that it was installed correctly.
Low-Maintenance Investment
From the very moment a customer walks into a self-service laundry to the moment he or she leaves, that patron expects laundry equipment to be in working order and to complete their laundry as quickly as possible. If this isn’t the case, customers likely will turn to competitors.
By taking preventative measures that reduce and eliminate maintenance issues, store owners will increase the overall efficiency of their operations while maintaining customer satisfaction. Although these issues may seem simple, if regular measures are not taken to prevent them, one out-of-order machine can quickly turn into many – and, ultimately, lead to costly repairs and missed revenue opportunities.
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