RIPON, Wis. — A store’s vended laundry equipment could have all of the bells and whistles, but if not properly maintained, its benefits will fall silent. For owners looking to exceed customer expectations, reduce utility costs and avoid bigger maintenance issues, adhering to a preventative maintenance program is essential.
With distributor service schools, manufacturer call centers and suggested maintenance schedules and the boundless information found on the World Wide Web, one can set up a preventative maintenance program with ease.
DO TAKE THE TIME TO FOLLOW A PROGRAM
Preventative maintenance may not be at the top of an owner’s list, but it certainly should.
“An owner’s No. 1 priority is to service out-of-order equipment, but it’s the preventative maintenance that often takes a back seat,” shares Mike Besaw, manager-Customer Service, Alliance Laundry Systems. “While many owners may have a program in place, most do not spend the time to conduct this maintenance, especially if the machine is still generating revenue.”
For single-store owners, Besaw says the task of preventative maintenance is manageable, as they can typically do their own service. “Single laundry owners can establish a schedule to maintain a few units at a time instead of trying to do everything at once.”
Multiple-store owners can also follow the program addressing a “batch” of machines at a time, but may need to get outside help due to the sheer number of machines they need to maintain.
“Depending on the number of stores they have, owners may need to have a maintenance technician on staff, or may need to rely on their distributor to help execute the preventative maintenance program,” notes Besaw. “Authorized distributors are trained by, and work closely with, the manufacturer, and should be experts of the equipment they sell and service.”
DON’T FORGET THE SMALL STUFF
Many small concerns can quickly turn into major issues when a store’s equipment isn’t being monitored or maintained. Machines that are not properly maintained can end up costing an owner significant amounts in repairs.
With tumble dryers, it’s essential to clean the dryer lint screens. “By keeping lint screens and vents clear, an owner can be saved the aggravation of customer complaints that the dryers ‘won’t dry’ and providing repeated refunds,” Besaw adds. “If the lint screen is neglected, the tumble dryer will no longer produce heat and eventually shut down.”
To avoid such issues, each machine’s lint screen should be cleaned every day, and if it’s a high-traffic store, twice a day. Besaw suggests that attendants hold off on using the vacuum until the end of the day to avoid disturbing the customers, but during the day they “should open up drawers and pull the layer of lint right off.”
Keeping these areas clean will also save on utilities, as the machine won’t have to work longer for the same result.
For washer-extractors, check the door lock for proper operation at the start of each day. This includes closing the door and starting the machine and also attempting to open the door while the cycle is in progress. At the end of the day, the doors should be left open to allow moisture to evaporate and keep the machine from smelling musty or forming rust.
Owners or attendants should also inspect daily the water inlet valve hose connections on the back of washer-extractors for leaks. Additionally, checking for any clogs in the drain valves or drain system is essential. “Sometimes customers accidentally leave items in their pockets, which then can end up causing damage to the machine,” Besaw notes. “A simple cleaning of these components can save hundreds of gallons of water.”
Check back Wednesday for the conclusion!
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].