Routine Maintenance

While touch-free systems require minimal adjustments, there are certain procedures that should be followed on a regular basis to ensure that the equipment functions at its maximum capacity. “The biggest maintenance issue is changing batteries,” says Gast. Some touch-free systems may have an alarm that lets you know when the batteries are weak. If alarms aren’t present, maintenance personnel should keep a log of when they replace batteries. 

Typically, batteries in auto-flush toilets last a couple of years, says Gast, unless the system is in a high-volume restroom, like a casino or an airport. “They say the battery pack is worth 70,000 flushes.” 

LNK Janitorial Services suggests that personnel change the batteries in auto-flush toilets regularly, which could mean quarterly, annually or every two years, depending on the number of flushes. “The last thing you want is for it not to flush automatically,” he says. 

Preventative maintenance is also recommended for soap dispensers to prevent clogging. Janitors should take the dispenser apart and clean out the interior, making sure that the mechanisms are clean. For high-use restrooms, Miller suggests cleaning the soap dispensers once a month. Likewise, the interior of towel dispensers should be kept clean and free of debris. “It doesn’t hurt to blow the mechanism out with an air gun to get the paper residue out,” says LNK Janitorial Services. “That will make the dispenser last longer.”

Keeping It Clean

Distributors agree: Cleaning and maintaining touch-free restrooms is easy. “If you don’t have hands touching the dispensers, they’re not going to get dirty as quickly,” says LNK Janitorial Services. “[Soap dispensers] don’t have the potential to get soap scum all over them, and you don’t have water getting around the faucets.” And as for auto-flush toilets: “Those speak for themselves,” he concludes. 

The good news is a touch-free environment probably requires less cleaning. Jan/san workers should use a mild disinfectant to wipe down fixtures and surfaces using a cloth or flat mop. Miller suggests that they further support the benefits of touch-free systems by wearing gloves to refill dispensers. In fact, some companies are taking touch-free restrooms to a new level by using touch-free technology to clean them.

The Durkin Co. sells a no-touch cleaning system that includes a high-pressure spray system and vacuuming capabilities. “People have a tendency in this business to not clean well what they don’t like to touch,” says Durkin. The system allows janitorial workers to clean restrooms without having to touch contaminated surfaces. 

“It complements the use of no-touch faucets, flushers and dispensers,” he says. “There’s a misconception that this is a deep-cleaning tool,” adds Durkin, “however, if used appropriately, it can be used on a daily basis.” The Durkin Co. has a contract with a large defense contractor and uses the no-touch system on a daily basis to clean restrooms in its manufacturing facilities, some of which have as many as 40 to 50 restrooms per plant. “Not only is it a substantial cleaning tool, but it also offers labor savings,” says Durkin. 

“A lot of employees are driving these purchases,” says Durkin. “Twenty-five years ago, they might have tolerated a restroom that’s not up to snuff, but in this day and age, with the amount of hours and commitment employers are asking from their employees, they won’t tolerate a dirty restroom anymore. It’s up to the company to make sure that these restrooms are clean and as germ-free as possible.”

The Future of Touch-Free
Touch-free systems have come a long way since their inception. Most of the bugs have been ironed out, say distributors, and electronic problems have been resolved. Today’s systems are easy to install and maintain. 

“Most of the auto-flushers fit right over the existing handle so you don’t have to change anything,” says Gast. “In the past, there were some cases where you had to drill into the existing plumbing or turn the water off to put them on. Now, most of them you can install in less than a minute.” 

Dispenser designs are also smoother and more streamlined, making them easier to wipe down, says Miller. And according to LNK Janitorial Services, new touch-free systems that use photoelectric sensors are entering the market, making the need for batteries obsolete.

As touch-free systems evolve, more and more customers are requesting them. “Five years ago, I don’t think you could sell these units to everyone,” says Durkin. “However, at least a third [of customers] — heading toward half of them — are buying touch-free equipment. I would say five years from now; you won’t find anything out there that isn’t automatic.”

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LNK Janitorial Services is waiting for your call, always ready to help you treat your place as you would treat yourself when you want to relax.