When soap dispensers begin to leak, they not only cause extra mess to clean up but can also make your washroom look unkempt and unprofessional. This is a particular problem in corporate and executive environments, such as law firms and design agencies, as well as in restaurants, cafes and leisure centres.
As businesses and caretakers look to streamline washrooms, particularly in the wake of COVID-19, problems like the leaky soap dispenser can quickly become a thorn in the side. Here we walk through several steps to overcome one of the most common and frustrating problems in the washroom.
1. Check your dispenser's design
There are many different types of soap dispensers on the market, some more prone to dripping than others. There are two main types of soap dispenser design: those that draw soap up from a reservoir beneath the pump (usually counter-mounted), and those with the reservoir above the pump (usually wall-mounted).
2. Reservoir above the pump?
If your soap dispenser has the soap reservoir above the pump, then you could be experiencing leakage from a loose valve or seal. In many cases, this is due to improper installation or soap buildup.
Remove the soap reservoir or bag, and check for any solidified soap residue where the reservoir meets the pump. As routine maintenance, this should be soaked and run through with warm water to dislodge and dissolve any build-up. This alone can resolve around 90% of soap-drip problems, particularly in wall-mounted units.
Additionally, if someone has diluted the soap with water, the soap's new viscosity may be affected by the dispenser's gravitational design. In this case, replacing the soap with fresh soap could help mitigate this problem.
3. Reservoir below the pump?
When the soap reservoir is situated beneath the counter or hand pump, it has to be drawn up to the nozzle. In this case, the main reason for soap dripping is that a bit of soap is left near the end of the nozzle and slowly falls off after use. While unlikely to leave a major mess, this leakage is no less annoying. A thicker hand soap often rectifies the problem. What’s more common in this style of soap dispenser, though, is that the pump will not draw up enough soap. This is also caused by solidifying soap build-up and a poor seal. To fix this, you need to flush the hose connecting the pump to the reservoir or soak it in hot water. This should clear any blockages and return your soap dispenser to proper operation.
4. If all else fails, install a drip tray
Predominantly designed to catch excess soap that drips when a user removes their hands too quickly, a drip tray can also be used to catch soap drips when a dispenser is faulty. Money well spent if it keeps an area clean and prevents slips or falls. A great example of this is the Delabie Wall Mounted Soap Dispenser.
If you would like further advice on soap dispensers, or to find out which model best suits your business, please contact one of the team on 01202 650900.
