Maintaining Your Gas Station Equipment

An essential part of operating a gas station or convenience store with fueling is making sure all of your equipment stays functional. If your customers pull up and see that dreaded yellow ‘out of order’ bag, they will drive down the road to the next gas station, and they may never come back! That’s bad news for your business. Working with a petroleum services company like PumpTex for gas pump repair in Texas and SouthWest Louisiana helps to keep your gas station pumping, but there are also some daily maintenance tasks that you can take care of yourself to minimize the need for frequent gas pump repair in Texas or Southwest Louisiana.

Fuel Dispenser Maintenance

Your fuel dispensers are at the heart of your fueling operations. Without them, your customers can’t get gas from your tanks into their vehicles, so they must be adequately maintained. In addition to working with PumpTex for regular preventative maintenance and gas pump repairs in Texas, you can put together your own schedule of in-house maintenance tasks to keep things running smoothly. We recommend a simple four-step process at the beginning of every shift:

1. Listen to the Pump: When someone is pumping gas, take a moment to listen to your fuel dispensers. If something sounds unusual, it could be a sign of a potential problem, and you can book a service call for gas pump repair in Texas.
2. Look Over Your Dispensers: It is important to regularly inspect the fuel dispensers visually for noticeable leaks or damage. You will specifically want to pay close attention to the nozzle, hoses, connections, and digital display. Even if it is a minor crack, it is worth scheduling gas pump repair in Texas to resolve it quickly and inexpensively before it escalates to a larger repair.
3. Take Note Of Unusual Smells: We all know that fuel dispensers don’t always smell the best, thanks to the pungent aroma of gasoline, but you should be aware of any unusual smells, such as a burning smell, that you don’t usually notice around the pumps, as this could indicate a problem somewhere in the fueling system.
4. Keep it Clean: Keeping your fuel dispensers clean is also a good idea. Using a soft cloth, you can use ordinary soap like Dawn with warm water to wipe down the dispenser, hose, and nozzle. It is important not to use a spray or power washer. As a rule of thumb, any detergent that is safe for washing your vehicle can be used to wash your fuel dispensers.

Maintaining Your Storage Tanks

When it comes to your fuel storage tanks, sometimes it can be a case of out of sight, out of mind! However, maintaining your storage tanks is an important task, just as important as gas pump repair in Texas. Your tanks must be maintained by a qualified professional like PumpTex to ensure you meet the necessary federal and state requirements, but you can also include a few points as part of your own maintenance routine in between those visits.

• Regular visual inspections should be carried out to spot any leaks, corrosion, or other signs of potential damage.
• For above-ground storage, check the surrounding area for stains on the ground that could be from a leak.
• Pressure testing can be used to detect potential leaks in underground storage tanks.
• Inspect all vents, valves, fittings, and pumps for signs of damage on a regular schedule

Spill Bucket Maintenance

Spill buckets are a crucial part of the fueling system, and it is important to maintain them properly—not just for the smooth operation of your gas station but also for the safety of the local environment. Whenever you have arranged your regular preventative maintenance or are having any type gas pump repair in Texas, you should also ask the technician if they can also perform an inspection of your spill bucket if it has been some time since it was last checked. Licensed petroleum services providers must carry out spill bucket repairs, but there are some checks you can carry out yourself between visits that will help you identify problems in the early stages. Some of the visual checks you can do include:

• Look for any chips, cracks, or holes in the lid that can allow water to enter the spill bucket
• Check for any water or fuel accumulating in the spill bucket
• Check the valves to see if any are broken or malfunctioning
• See if the spill bucket itself has any cracks or holes in the walls
• Look for signs of damage around the fill riser seals

In conclusion, maintaining the equipment at your gas station is crucial for the smooth operation of your business and customer satisfaction. Regular maintenance of fuel dispensers, storage tanks, and spill buckets ensures that your station remains operational and safe. By following daily and periodic maintenance routines, you can minimize the frequency of breakdowns and costly repairs. Partnering with a reliable petroleum services company like PumpTex for professional gas pump repair in Texas and Southwest Louisiana further enhances the longevity and efficiency of your fueling equipment. Consistent upkeep prevents the dreaded ‘out of order’ sign, fosters customer loyalty, and protects the local environment. Taking proactive steps in maintaining your gas station equipment is a wise investment in the success and reputation of your business.

We Keep You Pumping!

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PumpTex, Inc. was founded in 1997 in the back of a garage with the dream of bringing a new level of customer service to the retail petroleum service industry. Over the years, we have grown to become a valuable resource to our customers. Many consider us to be the first responders of the retail petroleum service industry!

www.pumptex.com

888-906-PUMP (7867)

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