Signs Your Tap Wall System Needs Professional Maintenance
System maintenance is an essential part of keeping beverages flowing from your commercial draft beer tap wall. From leaky faucets to improper gas mixing, even subtle issues can impact beer quality, cause costly repairs, and inevitably reduce customer satisfaction.
For effective regular maintenance that keeps your beer tap system clean and functional, you'll first need to know how to spot signs of inefficiencies or damage. That way, you can call in the professionals at GS Draft to reduce costly downtime or prevent further issues. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn how to identify signs that your tap wall system needs professional maintenance, so you can maintain operational efficiency long-term.
Understanding Tap Wall Draft Beer Systems: Maintenance By Type
Generally speaking, tap walls are self-serve beverage dispensing systems divided between long draw and direct draw setup styles. While both use pressurized gas and specialized tap equipment to maintain product quality and deliver consistent pours, each style has different maintenance requirements and challenges.
Long Draw Systems
With the ability to transport beverages through up to 150+ feet of glycol-cooled tap lines, both temperature control and pressure levels are a heightened concern for long-draw systems. Extended line length also makes it easier for bacteria and beer stone to build up over time, requiring frequent, regular cleaning to prevent contamination. Glycol maintenance is critical as well—if the coolant levels drop or the chiller malfunctions, fluctuating beverage temperatures can lead to excess foam or product loss.
If you notice that your long-draw system is leaking or producing inconsistent beverages, it may be time to consider professional servicing. GS Draft ensures that lines remain clear, temperatures stay consistent, and waste is minimized.
Direct Draw Systems
Offering shorter beer lines than their long-draw counterparts, these systems connect to kegs directly beneath or behind the dispensing unit. While this means lines typically require less maintenance, regular cleaning and troubleshooting are still essential for preventing clogs, pressure imbalances, and temperature fluctuations. Regularly inspect the unit, and call GS Draft if you notice leaks or signs of wear and tear.
Top Signs That Your Tap Wall System Needs Professional Maintenance
Every commercial draft beer system suffers wear and tear over time that prevents optimal performance. To keep high-quality beer and other beverages flowing, here are some tell-tale signs you need professional assistance:
1. Dripping Faucets
From improper gas and water pressure to worn-out fixtures, dripping faucets are a clear sign that something requires repairs. Constant dripping causes sticky, dirty self-serve stations that drive customers away, on top of contributing to a more costly water bill. If you notice one faucet dripping, it could be a sign of worn out handles and other fixtures leading to improper sealing. Conversely, several dripping faucets may be indicative of more comprehensive plumbing system failures. Contact GS Draft to identify why your faucets are dripping today!
2. Tap Line Leakage
More than just wasting product and causing inconsistent pours, tap line leaks can also damage your interior walls and any surrounding equipment. They're caused by a variety of issues, including loose fittings, cracked tubing, and more, making it important to check every inch of the system (even lines behind walls or in ceilings). If you notice damp areas, unexpected product loss, or inconsistent dispensing, it’s time to call GS Draft for a thorough inspection and repair.
3. Inconsistent Beverage Quality
If your tap towers start dispensing beverages with inconsistent flavor, texture, or temperatures, even after proper installation, it's a clear sign that your system requires professional maintenance. Inconsistent beverage quality can be caused by anything from bacteria and yeast buildup in tap lines to a faulty cooler or gas blender. Trust the experts at GS Draft to identify the problem.
4. Improper Pressure Levels
Every draft system requires carefully pressurized tap lines to push beverages from the kegs to the faucets. Proper pressure settings are typically maintained through the right balance of CO2 and Nitrogen gasses, as too much or too little of can lead to excessive foaming, flat pours, or inconsistent dispensing. Pressure issues may stem from faulty regulators, gas leaks, or incorrect PSI settings. If your beverages are pouring too fast, too slow, or with an unusual texture or taste, it’s time for a professional calibration.
5. Temperature Fluctuations
Consistent temperature control keeps your beverages fresh, tasty, and safe to drink. If you notice your system dispensing beer outside the ideal 36-38°F range, you must act quickly to manage customer expectations and ensure safety. GS Draft's nationwide network of expert technicians can help, coming directly to you for minor or major repairs.
6. Unusual Noises
While loud or unusual noises aren't necessarily signs you're due for routine maintenance, they should also never be ignored. Anything from screeching and whistling faucets to loud clanking inside the system can be signs of malfunction. Not sure how to identify the sounds coming from your tap wall system? GS Draft can help!
7. Digital Errors
If your system stops being able to process payments, monitor poor data, or maintain the ideal temperature and pressure without signs of damage, you're likely dealing with digital errors. While our Beer Wizard Menus and other digital integrations improve the customer experience, they also require regular updates and occasional troubleshooting to stay functional. Not sure what's going wrong? Look for unusual activity that may indicate a hardware or software issue. GS Draft can also perform expert troubleshooting.
How To Evaluate The Performance Of Your System
When easy-to-see signs of wear and tear aren't present, but you're still worried about system performance, there are some simple steps you can take to properly analyze the situation. That way, your GS Draft technician will come prepared with the right maintenance tools.
1. Analyze Digital System Readings
The easiest way to identify problems with your tap wall system, GS Draft's digital monitoring, allows you to review the data for inconsistencies in pour tracking, pressure levels, or temperature logs. Unexpected fluctuations may signal underlying hardware or software issues.
2. Measure Keg Yield
Even when it's difficult to identify the source of leaks, inventory tracking can help you spot inefficiencies. Pay attention to your monthly beverage and water supply. If you notice kegs draining faster than normal or an outrageous water bill, you may be struggling with an unidentified leak.
3. Compare Tap Lines & Dispensers
Check if certain taps are dispensing beer inconsistently compared to others. If only one of the taps in your several-tap system are dispensing poor-quality beverages, while the others are still delivering the perfect pour, the problem is likely isolated to that specific line, regulator, or faucet.
Trust GS Draft For Professional Installation And Maintenance
When you choose GS Draft System Solutions, you're not just investing in a new tap wall system. We work with you every step of the way, providing expert installation services and helping you maintain your system with proper maintenance long after. To reduce the chances of costly downtime, every system is designed with your unique space, customer preferences, and sales goals in mind. Here's how we deliver unparalleled value:
Custom Design Solutions: Every tap wall is designed to suit your needs, budget, and space. Custom designs allow for a system that works symbiotically with your building, helping to prevent issues from arising in the future.
Installation Expertise: We install systems nationwide, bringing expertise to your location no matter where you are. Our team is also familiar with custom installations, ensuring precise operating conditions for optimal performance.
Ongoing Maintenance Support: With GS Draft, you never need to worry about maintenance again. We're always here to support you, providing regular maintenance and troubleshooting services that address issues early.
Trust GS Draft's Professional Maintenance Services!
If you've noticed signs of wear and tear or serving inefficiencies, it may be time to reach out to the experts at GS Draft System Solutions. We understand that all the key components of your system need to be in tip-top shape to maintain performance, which is why we're eager to help.
We take pride in our work and are here to address any concerns you have about your system's performance. All of our systems are crafted, properly installed and maintained to help your business run above the industry standard.
Explore our comprehensive installation and maintenance options by calling us at (949) 421-3882. You can also email us at sales@gsdraft.com. We look forward to your message!
