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What commercial washer and dryer warranties usually don’t cover
By the Labahan team · October 18, 2026 · 5 min read
“May warranty naman ’yan.” Many shop owners hear this when they buy their first washers and dryers, and then learn the hard way that the warranty didn’t cover the part that broke. A warranty is a promise about defects in the machine, not a promise that the machine will never need money spent on it. Knowing the usual exclusions before you buy saves you from surprises later.
What a warranty is (and isn’t)
A machine warranty usually covers failures caused by faulty parts or poor workmanship from the factory, for a set period. It does not usually cover things that happen because of how the machine is used, installed, powered or kept. Every brand and every supplier writes its own terms, so the certificate that comes with your machine is the only one that counts.
Two published examples show how this works in practice:
- Electrolux Professional’s laundry warranty terms (UK) say the warranty does not cover installation or defects caused by installation, operator misuse “whether wilful or accidental”, wear and tear, routine maintenance or cleaning, and problems caused by blocked drains. It lists door gaskets among the parts treated as consumables.
- Alliance Laundry Systems’ Speed Queen warranty (US) excludes abuse, misuse, improper installation, damage from foreign objects, worn or cracked washer hoses, acts of God and natural disasters, and damage to electrical parts from a fluctuating power supply or voltage above factory specifications. It also gives shorter, parts-only coverage when the machine is used commercially.
Those are foreign documents, not Philippine ones, and terms change over time. Use them to know what to look for, then read the certificate your supplier gives you.
What is commonly not covered
| Usually excluded | Why it matters in a shop |
|---|---|
| Wear parts: hoses, belts, filters, door seals, gaskets, fuses | They wear out from normal use, so you pay for them even in year one. |
| Misuse and overloading | Stuffing a washer with comforters strains the bearings, drum and motor. |
| Improper installation | Uneven floors, wrong drain height or wiring done by a non-qualified person. |
| Power problems: surges, brownouts, wrong voltage | Control boards and motors are the costly parts that fail. |
| Water and drainage: hard water, clogged drains, dirty inlet screens | Scale and blocked drains cause faults the maker doesn’t pay for. |
| Pests | Rats and cockroaches chewing wires or nesting in control boxes is commonly treated as outside damage. |
| Floods, fire, typhoons | Commonly treated as acts of God or natural disaster. This is insurance, not warranty. |
| Labor and travel | Some commercial warranties cover parts only; you pay the technician’s fee and transport. |
Common exclusions in commercial laundry warranties. Not every warranty has all of them; check yours.
How to protect yourself
1. Read the warranty certificate before you pay
Ask for a copy of the actual warranty terms before the deposit, not after delivery. Look for the period, what parts are included, whether labor is included, and the words “commercial use”. A home-use machine placed in a shop may get much shorter coverage, or none.
2. Use proper installation
Have the machines installed by the supplier’s technician or a qualified electrician and plumber, and keep the installation report. Many warranties need proof that the machine was installed and commissioned correctly. Level the machines, use the right breaker and wire size, and set the drain the way the manual says.
3. Protect against power problems
Ask your electrician about surge protection and voltage protection suited to your machines and your area’s power quality. Turn off machines during long brownouts and wait for power to steady before restarting. If you use a generator, ask the supplier if it is safe for the machines.
4. Keep a preventive maintenance log
Follow the cleaning and maintenance schedule in the manual and write down every service: date, what was done, who did it, and parts replaced. A log helps you show the machine was cared for if a claim is questioned, and it helps you spot a machine that keeps breaking. For daily habits that cut breakdowns, see our capacity guide on lint filters and overloading.
5. Insure what the warranty won’t
Fire, flood and typhoon damage are commonly outside a warranty. Ask an insurance agent about property or business insurance that covers machines and stock, and read what that policy excludes too.
Questions to ask the supplier
- How long is the warranty, and does it start on delivery or installation?
- Is it valid for commercial (shop) use?
- Does it cover parts and labor, or parts only?
- Which parts count as wear parts or consumables?
- Must your technician install it for the warranty to count?
- Do I need to register the machine?
- What maintenance must I do and record?
- What voids the warranty (power, water, overloading)?
- Who do I call, and how fast will a technician come?
- Are spare parts stocked in the Philippines?
- Do I pay for the technician’s transport?
- Will you lend a unit while mine is repaired?
If the answers are only verbal, ask for them in writing. For anything about consumer rights in a dispute with a seller, you can ask DTI for guidance.
How Labahan helps
In Labahan Manager, the machine log lets you record repairs and notes for each washer and dryer, set the next service date, and see a “service due” badge when it’s time, so you have a dated maintenance history ready if a warranty claim is questioned. With Machine care turned on (every plan), you also add each machine’s warranty end date and get a reminder a month before it ends. It doesn’t store your warranty certificates, so keep those in a folder with the receipts.
