Espresso machine service: scope, frequency, repairs

why a service pays off

Every machine has parts that wear with each coffee: group gaskets, shower screens, valve seals. Replaced in time, they take little work. Left until they fail, they can stop a group or the whole machine, usually at the worst moment, during the morning rush.

The difference between a service and a breakdown is the difference between a plan and a rush. We book a service for a time when the bar is empty. A breakdown means a queue you cannot serve, guests who go next door, and a team explaining that the machine is down instead of making coffee. On top of that, a small fault left for weeks, such as a dripping valve or scale in the boiler, often leads to a more serious repair.

A service does not replace daily cleaning. Backflushing and cleaning portafilters and steam wands is the team's job, described in the guide espresso machine cleaning and backflush. A service starts where the barista's own work ends.

what a service covers: our checklist

Below is the scope we check when servicing an espresso machine with boilers. These are our recommendations from service practice, general for this class of machine. We adapt the exact scope to the model and to what we find on site.

Group gaskets and screens. We check gasket wear and deposits on the shower screens, and replace worn parts. A hard, cracked gasket is the most common cause of leaks around the portafilter.
Group valves and solenoid valves. We check that the valves which open and close the water flow to the group are tight and clean.
Pump and pressure. We measure brew pressure and line pressure, listen to the pump and adjust the settings if needed.
Boilers and heating elements. We check temperature and stability, the heating elements and sensors, and signs of scale.
Safety valves. We check that they work and do not leak. We never skip this in any service.
Steam wands and steam valve. We check the valve, the wand tips and the seals, so the steam is strong and does not escape when the valve is closed.
Water filter and hardness. We measure water hardness and check the cartridge replacement date and filter settings. More in the guide water for espresso machines.
Electronics and dosing. We check the doses on each group, the sensors, messages and electrical connections.
Internal cleaning. We remove deposits and traces of leaks, and check the hoses and drain.
Test after the service. Finally we pull a coffee on every group, check steam, hot water and pressure, and record the results so there is something to compare at the next visit.

The service checklist and 10 warning signs on two A4 pages. Useful when talking to the technician and in your venue's records.

Download the checklist (PDF)

how often to service the machine

There is no single number for every venue. In our experience, one or two services a year are enough for typical traffic, and busy venues need them more often. We set the frequency based on traffic, the number of groups, water hardness and how well the team keeps up daily cleaning.

A venue with a queue from the morning and hard water wears parts faster than a small café with a good filter. That is why at the first service we look at how the gaskets have worn and how much scale there is, and suggest the next date on that basis. With a service plan, we keep track of the dates for you.

The scope depends on the model. The list comes from our service practice and is general for espresso machines with boilers.
Component	What we check	Sign of a problem
Group gaskets and screens	wear, gasket hardness, deposits on the screen	portafilter turns too far, water leaks around the portafilter, uneven flow
Group valves and solenoid valves	tightness, cleanliness, closing action	group drips after brewing, water in the knock box
Pump and pressure	brew and static pressure, pump operation	flow too slow or too fast, noisy pump, jumping pressure gauge
Boilers and heating elements	temperature, scale, heating elements and sensors	coffee too cool or burnt, long heat-up time
Safety valves	operation and tightness	hissing or water from the valve, steam at the back of the machine
Steam wands and steam valve	tightness, tips, valve seals	weak steam, steam escaping with the valve closed
Water filter	cartridge replacement date, water hardness	scale on the screens, white deposits, change in taste
Electronics and dosing	doses, sensors, messages, connections	uneven shots, display errors, tripping circuit breaker
Machine interior	leaks, deposits, hoses, drain	water under the machine, burning smell, moisture inside the casing

10 signs it is time to call for service

Some faults give warning in advance. If you notice any of these signs, call us before a small problem stops your bar:

Water under the machine or moisture in the cabinet under the counter.
Dripping from the group after brewing, or water leaking around the portafilter during a shot.
A drop in pressure on the gauge, or pressure that varies during the day.
A change in taste or temperature with the same beans and grind.
Flow that is too slow or too fast and cannot be corrected with the grind.
Weak steam, or steam escaping when the valve is closed.
Pump noise that was not there before.
Display errors or messages that return after a restart.
A tripping circuit breaker when switching on or during operation.
Scale on the screens and white deposits that keep coming back despite cleaning.

what your team can check, and when to stop and call

Before you call, check a few things that often solve the problem or help the technician diagnose it over the phone:

backflush with detergent and then clean water on a group that drips or has uneven flow;
filter baskets in the portafilter and the shower screen: are they clogged with grounds or scale;
group gasket: is it cracked, and does the portafilter turn further than usual;
grind and dose, if the only problem is the flow;
water valve and filter: is the water supply open, and is the filter cartridge still in date.

Stop and call straight away if water or steam leaks from places where it normally does not, if you smell burning, if the circuit breaker trips, or if the safety valve hisses or releases water. Do not remove the casing and do not try to repair parts under pressure. In a breakdown we first help over the phone and, if needed, send a technician.

Something worrying going on with your machine? Book a service before the fault stops your bar.

Book a service Service and leasing

the machine after a seasonal break

Venues by the sea, in the mountains and seasonal hotels often switch the machine off for several months. It is a good time for a service, but also a risk: water left in the machine, deposits and dried-out gaskets can cause surprises at the first start-up. General steps are below. The details depend on the model, so we are happy to help before and after the break.

before the break

clean thoroughly: backflush with detergent on every group, plus portafilters, baskets, steam wands and drip tray;
book a service before closing, or plan one before reopening, so parts can be replaced without a rush;
switch the machine off and close the water supply, and if the venue is unheated, ask us about protecting the machine from frost;
note the water filter's condition and the cartridge replacement date.

after the break

check for traces of water under the machine and in the cabinet;
open the water supply, replace the filter cartridge if it is past its date, and flush the filter according to its instructions;
switch the machine on and wait until it reaches temperature, watching the pressure gauge and looking for leaks;
flush every group, steam wand and hot water outlet, and treat the first coffees as a test, not for guests;
if something leaks, the pressure is different from usual or an error appears, switch the machine off and call us.

la marzocco espresso machine service

La Marzocco machines are designed with service in mind. On the GB5 S and GB5 X, the easy rebuild steam valve is serviced from the front of the machine without dismantling it, so steam servicing takes less time. Parts for La Marzocco machines are available for at least 10 years after a model is discontinued, so a well-serviced machine can keep working for a long time.

If you are wondering whether another repair makes sense, read the guide when to replace your espresso machine. You will find all models and technical data on the Machines page, and the scope of our support on the Service and leasing page.

frequently asked questions

How often should a café espresso machine be serviced?

In our experience once or twice a year at typical volume, more often at high volume. We set the schedule based on volume, number of groups and water hardness.

What does an espresso machine service cover?

Group gaskets and shower screens, valves, the pump and pressure, boilers and heating elements, safety valves, steam wands and the steam valve, the water filter, electronics and dosing, internal cleaning and a test after the service.

Does a service replace daily cleaning?

No. Backflushing and washing portafilters, baskets and steam wands are the team's daily job. A service covers what a barista cannot do alone.

The group is dripping. What should I do?

Backflush with detergent and check the group gasket. If the group still drips after brewing has finished, call us. Most often the gaskets need replacing or the valve needs cleaning.

How do you restart an espresso machine after a seasonal break?

Check for signs of water, open the water supply, replace the filter cartridge if it is past its date, switch the machine on and watch the pressure gauge. Flush the groups and the steam wand. The details depend on the model, and we can help by phone.

How long are parts available for La Marzocco machines?

At least 10 years after a model is discontinued, so a well-serviced machine can keep working for a long time.

read also

La Marzocco Polska. We help cafés, restaurants and hotels choose a La Marzocco espresso machine for their traffic and menu, set it up and keep it in good shape.

espresso machine service: what it covers, how often, and when to call a technician