Avoid costly breakdowns, extend equipment life, and keep your lab running efficiently.
When your lab relies on high-performance histology equipment, unexpected downtime can be more than just an inconvenience — it can be a significant financial setback. Whether it’s a malfunctioning microtome or a stainer that’s not performing like it used to, reactive repairs often come with higher costs, rushed shipping fees, and lost productivity. The good news? Preventative maintenance (PM) helps your lab stay ahead of equipment failure and can save thousands over time.
Repair vs. Replacement: A Cost Breakdown
When a microtome or tissue processor breaks down unexpectedly, the financial impact goes far beyond the repair invoice. Emergency service calls can easily cost between $1,200 and $2,000, especially when factoring in rush fees or expedited parts. In contrast, a full equipment replacement can run anywhere from $8,000 to over $15,000, depending on the model and brand. On the other hand, a preventative maintenance visit typically costs between $350 and $650, depending on the equipment type. These visits include a full inspection, part replacements as needed, lubrication, calibration, and performance testing. Over time, the cost of just one major breakdown can exceed the price of several routine PM visits. Simply put, proactive maintenance is a smart investment that protects your budget while preventing expensive surprises.
Common Equipment Failures We Help Prevent
We’ve serviced thousands of histology instruments across all major brands, and we see the same preventable issues again and again:
- Microtomes – Misaligned blade holders, gear wear, specimen clamp malfunctions
- Tissue Processors – Pump failures, clogged valves, leaks caused by seal degradation
- Stainers & Coverslippers – Misfires, sticking slide arms, tubing obstructions
- Cryostats – Temperature inconsistencies, excessive vibration, drive motor issues
These issues usually start small — a minor vibration, a sluggish pump — but left unchecked, they snowball into costly breakdowns and lost productivity. Preventative maintenance catches these warning signs early and corrects them before they cause real damage.
Extend Equipment Life and Protect Your Budget
Preventative maintenance isn’t just a reactive measure — it’s a proactive strategy to safeguard your lab’s productivity. Regular PM service:
- Extends the life of expensive equipment by reducing long-term wear and tear
- Minimizes unplanned downtime, helping you meet turnaround times and quality metrics
- Improves performance, which enhances consistency and diagnostic confidence
- Supports compliance, ensuring instruments function within validated parameters
Think of PM like an oil change for your lab — a low-cost habit that helps avoid big problems.
Ready to Get Ahead of Equipment Issues?
We offer scheduled PM programs tailored to your specific lab equipment and workload. Whether you’re running a single cryostat or an entire suite of microtomes, our experienced technicians provide brand-agnostic service across Leica, Sakura, Thermo, Slee, and more.
