Why Is My Commercial Coffee Machine Leaking?

Common Issues with Commercial Espresso Machines

Espresso machines are complex machines with pressure valves, pumps, switches, water boilers, pressure gauges, flow control valves, heating elements, and more. Because all of these different parts work together to help operators make an excellent shot of espresso when one part of the machine is malfunctioning it can impact the entire process. There are a handful of common issues espresso machines will inevitably have when under heavy use. We commonly replace gaskets, valves, water lines, and other parts. It’s also important to ensure your machine is receiving proper maintenance, not just getting repaired when something breaks. As coffee equipment professionals we aim to make our customers happy by ensuring their equipment is in the best possible shape and continues to brew great coffee. 

Commercial Espresso Machine Group Head Leak

A very common issue with commercial coffee espresso machines is leaking that can occur within the group head. This will present itself as water leaking around the portafilter brew basket and running off the bottom of your portafilter. When this occurs the problem is most likely the group head gaskets. When brewing on an espresso machine the group heads pressurize and push water through the espresso puck, but when the gasket is worn down the seal cannot contain the pressure and the result is leaking water. By replacing the group head gaskets you will restore the seal and the problem should be resolved. Now the machine can successfully maintain the pressure needed in order to properly brew espresso coffee. By keeping an eye on the gaskets in the machine you can replace them on time to avoid this frustrating problem occurring during business hours. 

Espresso Machines Leaking from the Bottom

Espresso machines leaking from the bottom can be caused by several different problems. A common issue to cause what appears to be a leak is actually the internal drip tray being overfilled. This may be something as simple as the sensory not being reset between the drip tray being emptied. Another potential problem is the water tank inside of the machine not being positioned correctly. If this is the case water may appear to be leaking because it is constantly draining from the internal water tank. When a water tank is inserted improperly it will result in the release valve being opened, but the tank being positioned in a way where the seal for the intake line isn’t properly set. This misalignment will cause what appears to be leaking from the bottom of your machines. Lastly, if everything is set and properly placed, it’s likely that an intake line is damaged, or has become disconnected somehow. 

What to Do When Your Steam Wand Leaks

Occasionally the steam wands of an espresso machine will begin leaking, which is most likely an indicator of a maintenance problem. If a steam wand is leaking while the machine is in operation it’s likely that the internal valve isn’t closing correctly. This is almost always caused by scale build up inside of the machine. When scale build up occurs inside the seam valve it cannot open and close properly, which causes water leaks. The way to fix this is to descale the machine. This is a process that should be done somewhat regularly depending on the water filtration system you’re using for your coffee machine. After descaling and flushing water through the machine debris will be pushed out. 

Persistent Machine Problems

In some cases there may be many issues malfunctioning at the same time to cause leaking with your equipment. If this is the case it may be time to replace the espresso machine instead of focusing resources on trying to repair an old one. Like any professional grade equipment there comes a time when maintaining and repairing the machine may for several years may end up costing more than a brand new piece of equipment.

Leaking Spout on Your Coffee Maker

If the dispensing spout on your machine is leaking then it is likely not positioned correctly. This misalignment can impact how coffee moves through the machine, and can result in coffee leaking from the dispensing spout, or other areas with the least resistance for the liquid. The dispensing spout is removable, and sometimes is not properly seated when replaced back into the machine. If this is the case, making sure that the spout is set correctly when placing it back into the machine should fix this problem. 

Troubleshooting, Maintenance, & Replacement Parts

Ohio Specialty Coffee Equipment offers troubleshooting and maintenance services to help our clients keep their coffee programs up and running so they can continue operating smoothly and efficiently. With issues like leaking, equipment malfunctions, or machines not turning on we are able to troubleshoot and locate the exact problem. From there we can get the replacement parts necessary to fix the issues and repair the machines. Ohio Specialty Coffee Equipment frequently handles coffee machine descaling, water line replacements, gasket replacements, valve replacements, internal cleanings, and more. To have OSCE come out for any of our services please reach out to our offices today. We are able to provide emergency repairs, as well as create a maintenance program to ensure your equipment is being cared for on a regular schedule. 

Emergency Coffee Equipment Repairs

With our extensive background in coffee equipment and working directly with coffee machines our repair technicians can troubleshoot any issue from water leaks to machines that aren’t powering on. As business owners ourselves we are very familiar with the importance of delivering to our customers, and understand how seriously malfunctioning equipment can be, especially to a small business that depends on every sold cup of coffee. In an emergency situation a technician can travel to your place of business to troubleshoot your machine issues and diagnose the problem quickly. If they are unable to repair the equipment immediately we will form a repair plan and get replacement parts as quickly as possible. Our emergency repair service provides comfort to our clients knowing they have dedicated help to ensure their equipment can be repaired quickly and get their workflow back to 100%. 

Maintenance & Repairs Throughout Ohio

We provide equipment for businesses across the state of Ohio, and offer all of our services to businesses in the same range. It is important to us that any coffee program has access to professional technicians to ensure equipment is properly cared for and maintained. Whether you’re looking at standard maintenance or require an on-site emergency repair we prioritize our clients and their equipment. 

Top Quality Care: Preventative Maintenance 

Like with most machines and equipment you can guarantee longevity and less downtime by providing preventative maintenance. Regularly maintaining equipment will keep parts from breaking down faster and will reduce equipment downtime. Regularly scheduled maintenance is crucial to help coffee equipment last longer and work more efficiently. 

Inquire with OSCE

Ohio Specialty Coffee Equipment is a professional coffee equipment provider for the state of Ohio. Our team helps clients develop or expand coffee programs in many businesses including cafes, bakeries, office buildings, restaurants, hospitals, corporate campuses, educational facilities, and more. With OSCE we will work with you to best understand your coffee equipment needs and suggest the right equipment to provide a professional coffee experience for your professional setting. Beyond just sourcing and providing equipment we offer maintenance and repair services, and can even help set up the equipment to get your program up and running smoothly. 

Contact OSCE for Commercial Coffee Machine Issues

In the event that your professional coffee equipment isn’t functioning properly, reach out to OSCE to speak with someone about maintenance and repairs. We can schedule a standard visit to your facility, or if the problem is critical we can send out a technician for an emergency repair as quickly as possible. For more information on our services find our phone number and contact form on the contact page on our website.