Waywest Mechanical repairs, cleans and installs commercial ice machines for restaurants, bars, hotels, care facilities and convenience stores in Nanaimo and across Vancouver Island. Technicians fix machines that stop making ice, produce slowly, leak or make small, cloudy or hollow cubes, by servicing refrigeration components, water valves, pumps, sensors and controls, and removing scale. As a plumbing contractor, Waywest also installs water filters, supply lines and drains.
Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM · quotes within the hour
Ice machine problems we repair
- No ice production — water supply, valves, pumps, sensors and refrigeration
- Slow production — dirty condensers, scale and high room temperatures
- Poor ice quality — cloudy, soft, small or hollow cubes
- Leaking water — drain lines, pumps, water troughs and fittings
- Ice not harvesting — harvest valves, sensors and controls
- Bin full sensor faults — overflowing bins or machines stopping early
- Noisy operation and error codes
- Air-cooled and water-cooled condensers, including remote condensers
Cleaning and sanitizing
Scale and slime build up inside every ice machine over time. Scale insulates the evaporator and slows production; biofilm affects taste, odour and food safety. A proper cleaning includes:
- Removing ice and shutting down the machine
- Descaling the evaporator, water system and distribution tubes
- Sanitizing all food-contact surfaces
- Cleaning the bin, door and drain
- Cleaning the condenser coil or checking water-cooled circuits
- Replacing the water filter cartridge
- Restarting and checking the first harvests
Water supply and drains
Ice machines depend on plumbing as much as refrigeration:
- A dedicated water line with shut-off valve and filter
- Adequate water pressure for the model
- A properly sized drain with an air gap to a floor drain or indirect waste receptor
- Water treatment for hard well water — see water treatment
Because Waywest is a licensed plumbing contractor, installation and relocation include the supply, filter and drain, done to code.
Placement matters
Air-cooled ice machines reject heat into the room. Installed in a hot kitchen corner with little airflow, they produce less ice and fail sooner. Keep the recommended clearances around the machine, or consider a remote condenser for hot locations.
Service area
Waywest repairs and services commercial ice machines in Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Ladysmith, Duncan, the Comox Valley and across our Vancouver Island service area.
What happens when you call
- A person answers
You talk to the Nanaimo office, or our own crew on the 24/7 line — not a call centre.
- You hear the rate first
We explain the service rate, or the emergency rate after hours, before anyone is booked or dispatched.
- A licensed technician arrives
A Waywest technician with a stocked vehicle diagnoses the problem and explains your options.
- You approve the work
Repairs go ahead once you agree. Larger jobs get a written quote you can take time to consider.
Quick facts
- Emergency service
- 24/7 at 250-616-1446 — typically on site within an hour in Nanaimo
- Office hours
- Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM, 250-729-2394
- Service area
- Nanaimo and Vancouver Island, Victoria to Port Hardy
- Licensing
- TSBC licence LGA0004592; licensed, bonded and insured
- Quotes
- Reply within the hour during business hours
- Page updated
Common questions
Why is my commercial ice machine not making ice?
Common causes are a closed or restricted water supply, a clogged water filter, heavy scale on the evaporator plate, a failed water inlet valve or pump, a dirty condenser, a faulty bin or harvest sensor, or a refrigeration problem such as low refrigerant or a failing compressor.
How often should an ice machine be cleaned and sanitized?
Manufacturers commonly recommend cleaning and sanitizing at least every six months, and more often in hard water areas, high-yeast environments such as bakeries and breweries, or kitchens with heavy airborne grease. Ice is a food, so a clean machine matters for food safety.
Why is my ice cloudy, soft or hollow?
Low water flow or pressure, scale buildup, a failing water pump or distribution tube, or incorrect harvest settings can all affect cube quality. Water quality also plays a large part, which a filter system addresses.
Do ice machines need a water filter?
A filter is strongly recommended. It reduces scale, sediment and chlorine taste, which improves ice quality and extends the machine's life. Filter cartridges need replacing on the manufacturer's schedule.
Need this sorted out?
Call the Nanaimo office and talk to someone who can tell you what the work involves and when we can get to it.