How do I check a commercial laundry’s water, gas and boiler setup?

Utilities can decide whether a laundry is comfortable to run. Begin by asking for the boiler’s age, service history and any recent repairs or replacements. A boiler that has been patched often may be close to the end of its life, and replacing one is a large job. Ask who services it and how quickly they respond in an emergency.

Next, look at water and gas. How is water softened or treated, and what happens to it afterwards? Are there signs of leaks, scale or corroded pipes? Ask for utility bills across the full range of seasons and compare them with the volume of work done. Rising use without rising work can point to a leak or an inefficient machine.

Then ask about the building. Do the services have the capacity to handle more machines if you wish to expand? Who owns the piping and the equipment, the landlord or the tenant? Ask your lawyer to read the lease for anything about the plant’s installations. Bring in a qualified technician for the boiler and gas work; do not rely on appearance alone. Ask for any past inspection reports and read them closely.

Key takeaways

• Get a qualified technician to inspect the boiler and gas lines.
• Compare utility bills across seasons with the volume washed.
• Check who owns the installations and whether the building can support growth.
• Ask what the boiler costs to run in a busy season, and what a failure would do to turnaround.