Managing Through a Laundromat Shutdown (Part 1)

Paul Russo April 22, 2025

SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. — Sooner or later, your laundromat will experience an unexpected operational stoppage. It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when and how often.

Whether it’s a power outage, a weather event, or some other reason, certain circumstances can shut down a mat. I experienced all kinds of shutdowns during my career, and they can be quite stressful and expensive.

In this column, I’ll present ways to prepare for and prevent — or at least mitigate — most of these stoppages. There are quite a few ways your business can come to a screeching halt, many of which can come unexpectedly.

SAFETY FIRST!

Some shutdowns, such as a gas leak, can be hazardous, so always keep customers and employees safe by evacuating your mat until you can verify it’s safe.

Once evacuated, you’ll need to lock the doors to stop people from strolling in. Also, post signs outside announcing the closure.

Fires and Flooding — Whether your store is attended or not, keeping dryers lint-free is your first line of defense against fires.

Install smoke detectors. They’re inexpensive, and easy to install. Get models that can be wired into your mat’s alarm system. And don’t forget up-to-date fire extinguishers.

In New York City, by law, laundromats must install sprinklers over the dryers. It’s a good idea because dryers are the main cause of mat fires (followed by spontaneous combustion). It’s not hard to do this since mats already have large water-supply pipes.

Sprinklers can help contain a fire so it doesn’t get out of control and take down your entire mat. Hopefully, your smoke detectors will alert you or your staff to a fire before it triggers a sprinkler head.

Even a small dryer fire will require that you wipe down the entire store with a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts water to get rid of the smell of smoke.

Having a flood alarm is a cheap no-brainer.

If your mat has a basement like mine did, assume that it may get flooded out from time to time. It’s common sense not to store anything down there that you don’t want ruined. Obviously, you’ll want to have your drains snaked on a regular basis to prevent backups, which can also shut down your mat.

Utility Shutdowns — If anyone smells gas, you must evacuate the store, open the doors and shut off the power until someone of authority can find the source and address it.

If someone smells gas in your mat and reports it, you could be shut down for days. It’ll require hiring a licensed plumber to find and correct every joint in your gas pipes, so keep a good plumber “on tap.”

Inspectors — Have you ever had an inspector walk in and shut you down on the spot? It happened to me.

Make sure your mat is in compliance with all the building codes and zoning requirements. Inspectors will eventually find out if it’s not.

In some locales, an inspector can also shut down your drop-off business for not having the required scale, as well as other consumer protection issues, so check all that out as well.

Natural Disasters — A flash flood or hurricane can be a life-altering event. If authorities ask you to evacuate, please do.

You may try to stick it out, but remember that lives are more important than things; things are replaceable. If you choose to board the place up, make sure your customers and staff leave the premises in time. Shut off your gas, electric and water service before leaving.

The best way to prepare for such an event is to make sure your insurance will cover related damages. If not, you may be able to get insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

For other types of disaster insurance, such as coverage for earthquakes, hurricanes, etc., you’ll need to look into commercial policies from private insurers. None of these policies are cheap, so you have to decide the risk/cost ratio.

And review your business interruption coverage. Keep in mind that most insurance policies will have a waiting period, usually 72 hours.

Crime — Use common sense here. Make sure your place has a reliable alarm system with central station monitoring. You’ll also want a good surveillance system with plenty of cameras. The more, the better.

Protect your phone and cable lines so they can’t be cut, or go wireless. Roll-down gates are another security option. You want to make your place intimidating to perps.

Street Construction — If your mat gets shut down due to construction, there’s not much you can do, but business interruption insurance may help you survive financially.