Common commercial plumbing problems can pop up at any time, and be costly. What’s the best way to stop a plumbing problem from occurring in your commercial facility? Be proactive and prevent it from happening in the first place.
Due to the complexity of buildings designed for businesses, plumbing issues can cause a real headache. Below are some common commercial plumbing problems our experts have seen in the field along with advice on how to keep them from happening.
Commercial Plumbing Problem #1: Clogged Drains
We typically notice that kitchens – especially in restaurants – are notorious for having stopped-up drains. After eating lunch or preparing food, some employees may scrape stuff off of their plates or utensils into the sink. This is a big no-no. Leftover grease, pieces of pasta or rice, potatoes, coffee grounds, or small vegetables can get caught in the drain, expand, and stop water from flowing properly.
Here’s some advice from our experts – when in doubt, scrape leftover food into a trash receptacle or designated container for waste. This takes the guessing out of the equation and will help save on plumbing repair bills.
Commercial Plumbing Problem #2: Hot Water Supply Issues
If you notice that your water is not heating up as it should, chances are that your water heater is having an issue. Like their residential counterparts, water heaters sometimes need to be repaired or replaced depending on the severity of the issue. It’s best to have a certified professional come out, diagnose the problem, and walk through the potential solutions.
You can extend your water heater’s life by having it serviced at least once a year. A good technician will make sure all of the components are working properly and provide preemptive maintenance to the system when necessary.
Commercial Plumbing Problem #3: Leaks
The toughest thing with leaks is that they are often unnoticed until they become a big problem. Over time, water will cause unwanted mold and rot to wood and other fixtures. Because the general public could be exposed to these health hazards, leaks are also a business liability.
Similar to our recommendation for maintenance on your water heater, we urge employers to set up an annual service agreement for an inspection. By running pipe and sewer leak detection services, a plumbing professional can help find potential issues before this common commercial plumbing problem becomes a major problem.
Commercial Plumbing Problem #4: Clogged Toilets
When thinking about a customer or employee’s experience with your business, clogged toilets can add a lot of frustration – especially if it is a recurring problem. Clogs occur whenever things are flushed that shouldn’t be. Items such as baby wipes, feminine products, or paper towels can all cause issues.
Education is the key to reducing clogged toilets. If only employees are using the bathrooms, please let them know what can and cannot be flushed. Whenever customers seem to be the culprit, we recommend putting up signs that encourage people to throw things away in a trash receptacle instead of putting them in the toilet.
When You Have a Plumbing Problem, You Know Who to Call
Business is tough enough as it is, so don’t stress out when a plumbing issue arises. Contact your friends at SLM Facility Solutions so we can help to diagnose and solve the pain you’re dealing with. Along with plumbing, we offer commercial waste disposal, HVAC solutions, and more. Get a free facilities assessment today!
