What this guide covers
Separate routine operation from technical inspection. Record observations with the date, bay and operating conditions. Before winter, check installation protection and floor heating with the service team. Describe symptoms and attach photos to a request — diagnosis will be based on data from the specific site.
Start the walk-through from the driver's perspective
Follow the customer's route from entrance to exit. Check that they can select a programme, pay and use the equipment comfortably. Then inspect maintenance areas. Adapt inspection frequency to traffic, weather and equipment instructions; the checklist below organises the walk-through.
Bays
Floor cleanliness, clear visible drains, deposits and objects obstructing vehicle movement.
Lances and brushes
Visible damage to hoses, guards, holders and bristles; how equipment is stored after use.
Programmes
Function availability, clear descriptions, new messages and reported changes in wash quality.
Payments
Terminal messages, availability of selected payment methods and the condition of customer-operated components.
Supplies
Chemical and consumable levels, labels and stock to replenish according to instructions.
Surroundings
Lighting, bins, vacuum cleaners, access routes and access for operators or service personnel.
Record a fault immediately: bay, component and observed symptom. If equipment is damaged or its use raises concerns, restrict access according to the site's procedure and contact the service team.
A reading needs context
Record water and electricity meter readings with the date and time. Add information on traffic, operational bays, weather and work carried out on site. A reading covering a busy weekend is difficult to compare with a short, quiet period.
Compare the same meter, unit and time boundaries. Record conditions that affected the installation's operation.
EPA WaterSense identifies whole-site and selected-process measurement as tools for detecting changes and assessing improvements. Plan additional measurement where it can answer a specific question, such as water preparation's share of consumption.
What to know
An empty car wash may still use water
Depending on the configuration, water preparation, regeneration or winter protection may be running. Flow outside wash times needs to be compared with normal installation operation. Do not switch off frost protection simply to stop the meter moving.
If consumption rises without explanation, record times, messages and visible signs of leaks. EPA recommends combining installation observation with consumption monitoring. Share the data with the service team; do not randomly change process settings to “adjust” the result.
Preparing for winter covers two areas
In TIXE solutions, ANTI-FREEZE supports wash system protection, while IHS controls floor heating based on readings from sensors in the slab. These are different tasks. Having one solution does not replace a pre-season assessment of the whole site.
The TIXE inspection checklist covers the winter system, freezing point of the heating circuit fluid, water temperature and leaks downstream of the boiler, among other items. Measurements, burner maintenance and installation work are carried out by appropriately trained operators or service personnel. Timing and scope depend on the documentation and equipment condition.
A service request that enables diagnosis to begin
Instead of simply saying “it does not work”, provide five brief pieces of information. You do not need to identify the cause. A precise symptom description helps determine the next steps.
- LocationCar wash address, customer number and bay number.
- EquipmentModel, serial number or a photo of the accessible identification plate.
- SymptomWhat happens and during which programme; the exact message text.
- TimingWhen the problem started, whether it is continuous and what preceded it.
- ContactPhone number for the person on site, photos or a short video of the symptom.
Example description
Bay 2 · final rinse
“Since the morning walk-through, the jet has been noticeably weaker. The other programmes work as before. Panel message: … . A photo and short video are attached. … is on site, phone …”.
Before taking a photo, do not remove covers that require authorised access or operate damaged equipment for demonstration purposes. For an out-of-warranty service request, also provide your service agreement number if you have one.
An inspection leaves useful knowledge for the months ahead
Keep inspection sheets, operating-hour readings, a list of replaced parts and recommendations. A single log helps link a customer report to a change in consumption, a chemical delivery or an earlier repair.
After an inspection, establish what was done, what needs monitoring and what comes next. A recurring symptom may indicate a need for a wider assessment of the system. The site's history also helps define the scope of an upgrade.
Downloadable material
TIXE inspection sheet
This document records completed tasks and observations. The scope of work is tailored to the equipment at each car wash.
Download the inspection sheet · PDF ↓FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How often should a technical inspection be carried out?
Set the timing and scope based on the manuals, warranty conditions, operating hours and condition of the car wash. Routine walk-round checks do not replace a technical inspection.
Does water flow when the bays are empty indicate a fault?
It may result from scheduled system operation. Compare the reading with the configuration, weather and active processes. Report unexplained or new consumption for investigation.
Is the PDF sheet a DIY repair manual?
It is a document for recording inspection tasks and observations. Equipment documentation defines how work should be carried out, the qualifications required and operating procedures.
Sources and materials
The organisational recommendations are based on TIXE service materials; the general principles for measurement and detecting unusual consumption are based on EPA WaterSense. The documentation for each installation specifies detailed tasks, settings and service intervals.
- TIXE: inspection scope and service support
- TIXE: service task sheet · PDF
- EPA WaterSense at Work: Metering and Submetering, 2023 · PDF
- EPA WaterSense at Work: Leak Detection and Repair, 2023 · PDF
Prepared: 13 October 2026. Photos and illustrations from TIXE materials.
Your next step
Have you noticed something that needs checking?
Gather the car wash details, a description of the symptom and photos. We will agree the next steps with the person on site.
Go to the service request See the other guides