Whether at home, school, office, or gym, a water dispenser offers an endless supply of sparkling, clean, and pure water. It’s an appliance that has, with time, become a necessity.
A water dispenser encourages drinking more water, a sugar-free diet, keeps you hydrated, saves time and money, and serves many people at a go.
But what happens if the appliance stops working? Is it the end of the world?
Although water dispensers require minimal maintenance, they are prone to occasional defects, just like any other household appliance. The good thing is that there are ways to help get the appliance up and running again,
So, what causes a water dispenser to stop working? Well, there are several causes, but issues with power and water supply are the major sources of dispenser malfunctions.
In this post, we discuss the problems that can make your water cooler stop working and how to solve them. Keep reading.
Reasons Why Your Water Dispenser Is Not Working
- Power
Disconnection in the power supply might be why your water dispenser isn’t working. It’s therefore advisable that you check whether the unit is plugged into the socket at all times.
If the unit is connected to the socket and it still doesn’t work, check if the socket is also working. If power isn’t coming to the fuse, the power supply could be the main problem.
- Overload Switch
An overload switch could also be why your water dispenser isn’t working as it should. Maybe you’ve plugged other appliances like the refrigerator, washing machine, vent hoods, and trash compactor with the unit.
Check if there’s an overload in your wall socket, and reset it.
- Airlock
Airlock results from the pressure forced into the dispenser when a water bottle is placed on it. This airlock prevents water from coming out from the water dispenser.
If your water dispenser isn’t dispensing water, remove the water bottle from the unit and then place it back. As you do this, get a pair of helping hands to hold the taps open until the water comes out.
- Empty Water Bottle
If yours is a bottled water dispenser (top loading or bottom loading), check whether the bottle has water if it isn’t working. Check the reservoir as well to ascertain whether it has enough water or not.
Sometimes, the unit could not be working is just as simple as a lack of water in the bottle. The unit can’t dispense air, right?
- Poor Connection to the Hose
Poor connection to the hose is one of the reasons why your bottom-loading water dispenser might not be working. Check to ensure that the hose between the probe head and the water pump is properly connected.
The hose needs to be fully inserted in both.
- Mains Tap Off
If yours is a point-of-use water dispenser and it stops working, check whether the mains tap is turned on. You also need to check all the couplings and piping to ensure that the appliance is properly connected to the main water supply.
You should also look for signs of leakage around or behind the base of the water dispenser.
How to Maintain Your Water Dispenser to Prevent Problems
Regular servicing is the best way to avoid and prevent problems with a water dispenser. Modern water dispensers are highly reliable if properly maintained.
So, how do you maintain a water dispenser?
- Cleaning
The reservoir of a water dispenser requires regular cleaning. Do this at least once every 6 months to prevent the unit from dispensing particles in the water that could have built up over time.
- Regular replacement of filter cartridges
Regular replacement of filter cartridges is very important if you want the appliance to work as expected. Most water dispensers require the activity to be carried out every 6 months.
However, heavy usage of the unit may demand you to change the filters more frequently.
Most filter cartridges are easy to remove and reinstall. You don’t need to get a professional for the service.
- Replacement of consumable parts
Some dispensers feature consumable parts like UV lights that require regular replacement for optimal performance.
- Regular inspection
As with any water supply system, it’s wise to check your unit connection to prevent leaks and ruptures regularly. The inspection also helps replace any of the fittings if need be.
Conclusion
A water dispenser, just like any other appliance, will stop working at some point. But this doesn’t mean that you throw the unit in the bin.
Most of the issues that make the dispenser stop working can be solved with ease, some even without professional help.
If your water dispenser stops working, inspect it thoroughly to identify the problem. If you just can’t figure the problem out, don’t give up on the unit yet. Seek help from an expert. You might be surprised to find that only a minor repair is required to get the appliance working again.