It helps to know the common reasons for commercial laundry machine down time. This gives you the best opportunity to troubleshoot problems fast and prevent them altogether with preventative maintenance. While this applies to any washing machine or dryer, including small residential models, we’ll explain what contributes to the greatest number of problems for commercial machines.
The Most Common Commercial Laundry Machine Disturbances
- Overflow of Running Water
- One of the worst calamities ensues when the water won’t stop because of some machine malfunction. This is normally the result of the overflow switch not working properly. That switch might cease to function for a couple of reasons: it’s broken or disconnected. You may be able to address the latter (by consulting the user manual), but broken parts will require you to order a replacement.
- No Water Filling in the Washer
- What happens when you can’t get any water in your machine? This happens when the washer’s inlet hose has a leak, kink, or blockage. Check to see if you can un-kink it, but if there’s a puncture, then it’s time to buy a new one.
- No Washer Spin Cycle
- Your washing machine’s spin cycle may stop altogether if you load it with too many clothes. This is a very typical problem among residential users, but even larger commercial washers can succumb to overload. An alternative problem could be that the lid switch tripped, resulting from either a damaged sensor or disconnection.
A Couple of Other Common Problems
You’ll also have to worry about washers not draining, and dryers not drying.
If your washer isn’t draining well, you probably have a nasty clog or the water pump stopped running. A clog can happen after too much debris accumulates or if a small item gets trapped. Then again, if you suspect your water pump has broken, then let us know, and we’ll track down replacement parts for you.
What about dryer trouble?
Dryers may stop heating properly if they have a compromised heating element. For mechanically inclined users, you could resolve this by opening the dryer and testing the heating element, and then replace it if necessary. When in doubt, you’re welcome to call one of our RJ Kool service techs to assist with this.
Effective Ways to Preserve Commercial Laundry Equipment
You don’t want to purchase new washers and dryers all the time, so it’s essential to be diligent about maintaining them. We’d like to show you a few ways to extend your laundry equipment’s lifespan for several years beyond the warranty coverage.
- Keep Them Clean
- Those horrible clogs are avoidable, especially if you take the time to clean washers every so often. There are plenty of easy ways to do this by running a hot cycle with white vinegar, followed by wiping the interior and exterior free of mildew accumulation.
- Avoid Common Machine Abuses
- Do you run a busy laundry facility where it’s impossible to control everything your customers inflict on the machines? It may be difficult to prevent all machine abuses, but you can at least post signage indicating proper usage. You should also discourage the use of excessive laundry detergent.
- Keep Your Facility Clean, Too
- It’s easier to maintain cleaner machines if the rest of the area is sanitary. Don’t forget to keep all your machines on level surfaces as well.
- Contact RJ Kool for Troubleshooting
- If you think your laundry equipment has something wrong, then don’t hesitate to call RJ Kool for an inspection, repairs, or troubleshooting service.
RJ Kool Can Help You Address Common Commercial Laundry Machine Problems
We’re the Midwest’s most reliable commercial laundry equipment supplier, repair, and consulting company. You can find us in major urban hubs like Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, and Omaha. We regularly provide fast and effective support service for hospitals, colleges, gyms, car wash companies, and more.
Contact us today to get to the bottom of all your commercial laundry machine malfunctions once and for all.
