When it comes to overhead costs, dry-cleaning businesses must budget for things like detergent, chemicals, utilities, storage racks, hangers, tags, and other necessities. However, dry cleaners should also be accounting for their machines – both when it comes to routine maintenance and repairs and, eventually, the costs associated with replacing washers, dryers, presses, and other industrial laundry equipment.
But how do you know when it’s time to replace your dry-cleaning equipment? It’s worth thinking of old dry-cleaning appliances in the same way you’d think about an aging automobile. There comes a point in time when it’s no longer worth it to continue to sink money into the repair and maintenance of aging machines, especially when you could enjoy greater efficiency and reliability with a new model. Beyond wasting money, if you’re not careful, your equipment could break down unexpectedly, potentially halting business operations until a fix or a replacement can be secured. If that occurs, you may be left with several days of lost business.
Luckily, there are a variety of obvious signs that indicate when a complete replacement is necessary. Let’s take a closer look at these symptoms so you can properly assess your machinery and plan accordingly.
Common Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Equipment
- Excessive Rusting – Rust isn’t just unsightly; it slowly eats away at metal, eventually weakening it beyond repair. Therefore, you should check for rust every time you inspect your dry-cleaning equipment. A little bit of rust is normal, but an excessive amount is likely to pose a significant problem in the near future.
- Leakage – Are your machines leaking water? Sometimes, this issue can be resolved by replacing or tightening up the hoses. Other times, leaks can be an indication that washing machines have rusted through the bottom. This problem will generally start small and increase in severity over time.
- Strange Sounds – If you hear strange sounds coming from any of the equipment in your dry-cleaning facility, take note. Any odd noises could be especially concerning if they’re present near the beginning of a wash cycle, as it could indicate an issue with the machine starting.
- Substantial Maintenance Costs – Are you allocating more and more money each year toward repairing your dry-cleaning equipment? If so, it could be time to do away with your current machines and acquire new, more efficient models. Just like an aging car, at some point, it isn’t worth it to continue to spend money fixing outdated and issue-prone equipment.
Ready to Upgrade Your Dry-Cleaning Equipment? Rema Dri-Vac Can Help
Regardless of what kind of laundry and dry-cleaning equipment you use, there comes a time when you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of repairing existing machines and buying newer models. And no matter what you decide to do, Rema Dri-Vac is here for you. We’ve been providing dry-cleaning and fabricare businesses with high-quality equipment and repairs since 1947.
For more information about our products and services, contact us today!