Water Cooler Care and Trouble Shooting

Cooler care guide

Keeping your water fresh and chilled.

Most bottle-fed water cooler problems can be narrowed down by checking the bottle, power supply, taps and drip tray before a service visit is needed.

Troubleshoot my cooler Clean my cooler

Clean my water cooler Follow the complete cleaning method every three to six months.

Troubleshooting guide

What is your cooler doing?

Choose the closest symptom. Start with the simple checks in order and stop immediately if you see damaged electrical parts, smell burning, hear sparking or find water around the power connection.

Start with the bottle

My water cooler is leaking

Most likely cause

A small fracture or pinhole in the 15L bottle can upset the pressure inside a top-load cooler and make water appear to leak from the cooler itself.

Unplug the cooler at the wall before touching the bottle or cleaning up water.
Keep water away from the power point, plug and electrical components.
Carefully remove the bottle, or drain the remaining water through the taps into a clean bucket.
Mark the bottle as damaged so your Summer Springs driver can identify and replace it.
Dry the cooler and surrounding floor thoroughly. Leave the cooler to air dry for a full day before installing a new unopened bottle.
Once everything is completely dry, install the replacement bottle and reconnect the power.

Do not reconnect power while the area is wet. If the leak continues with a different bottle, stop using the cooler and contact Summer Springs.

A simple care routine

Small habits prevent most hygiene and performance problems.

The cooler does not need constant attention. It does need clean hands, a tidy drip tray, sensible placement and a complete clean every three to six months.

Regularly

Wipe the taps

Use a clean antibacterial wipe or soft cloth around the tap outlets and touch points. Keep cups, hands and drink bottles away from the tap opening.

As needed

Empty the drip tray

Remove water before it overflows and wash the tray. Do not pour coffee, tea, milk or food waste into it.

Every bottle change

Check the bottle

Wash your hands, inspect the bottle for damage and keep the bottle opening and cooler spike clean while changing it.

Every 3 to 6 months

Complete a full clean

Clean the exterior, removable parts, reservoir, taps and drip tray using the method below.

Step-by-step cleaning

How to clean a standard bottle-fed water cooler.

Clean the cooler and its removable parts every three to six months, or sooner if the cooler has been stored, left unused or exposed to dust and strong odours.

Before you start

Unplug the cooler from the power source.
Wash your hands and wear disposable gloves.
Use mild dishwashing detergent and a soft cloth.
Prepare 2 litres of water mixed with 150 mL of household vinegar.
Have a clean bucket ready for draining.

Do not use bleach or harsh chlorine-based cleaners. Do not dismantle electrical parts or immerse the cooler body in water.

Remove the empty bottle and drain any remaining water from the reservoir through the taps into a clean bucket.
Clean the outside of the cooler with mild, non-abrasive household detergent, then wipe it dry with a soft cloth.
Remove the spike top, internal baffle or insert, taps and drip tray where these parts are designed to be removable. Turn removable taps anticlockwise unless your model instructions say otherwise.
Wash the removable parts with warm water and dishwashing detergent. Rinse them thoroughly and place them on a clean surface.
Refit the taps by turning them clockwise and make sure they are secure without overtightening.
Pour the prepared mixture of 2 litres of water and 150 mL of household vinegar into the reservoir. Leave it for 15 minutes.
Drain the cleaning solution through both taps, then flush the reservoir and taps thoroughly with clean hot water until no vinegar smell remains.
Refit the clean baffle, spike top and drip tray, install a new unopened bottle and check that water flows from the taps.
Once the reservoir is full and the cooler is dry, reconnect the power. Allow about 15 minutes for the temperature to begin adjusting.

Placement and storage

Give the cooler a clean, stable place to work.

Place the cooler on a firm, level surface with room for air to circulate.
Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heaters, machinery and hot walls.
Avoid plants, insect-prone corners, smoke, chemicals and strong food or cleaning odours.
Keep the cooler and floor around it clean and dry.
If the bottle is removed for storage or closure, cover the spike to keep out dust and insects.
Store unopened and empty bottles upright in a clean, dry area away from heat and odours.

Changing a 15L bottle

Keep the bottle close and avoid twisting while you lift.

A full 15L bottle weighs around 15 kilograms. Clear the path first and ask for help if lifting the bottle safely is beyond your comfortable capacity.

Stand close to the bottle with your feet about shoulder-width apart.
Bend at the hips and knees rather than rounding your back.
Use both hands and keep the bottle close to your body.
Move your feet instead of twisting your torso.
Use a team lift when needed.
Consider a bottom-load cooler where overhead lifting is unsuitable.

Compare top-load and bottom-load coolers

Holidays and closures

Before the workplace closes, switch the cooler off too.

Before a holiday, seasonal closure or long period of non-use, switch the cooler off at the unit and the wall. For a longer closure, remove the bottle, drain and clean the cooler, allow it to dry and cover the spike before storage.

When reopening, inspect and clean the cooler before installing a fresh bottle. Do not reconnect power until the cooler is dry and the reservoir has refilled.

When to stop troubleshooting

Some problems need the Summer Springs team.

Stop using the cooler and contact us if it continues leaking after the bottle is changed, does not heat or cool after the reset, has damaged electrical parts, produces an electrical smell, repeatedly trips the power, or remains unsuitable for use after cleaning.

For hired equipment, let us know your account name or account number and what you have already checked. We'll arrange a replacement hire cooler to swap.

Call 1300 654 001 Contact Summer Springs

Summer Springs Essential Cooler Care Guide

Keep a copy near the cooler or share it with your workplace team. The guide covers manual handling, everyday care, common cooler problems and the full cleaning process.

Open cooler care guide Browse all downloads

Contact Us

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Summer Springs
15 Douglas Mawson Rd
Dubbo, NSW 2830
1300 654 001

ABN 27 099 732 859

Water Coolers

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