Top 6 Plumbing Challenges Faced by Commercial Buildings—and How to Prevent Them
If you run a business in Australia, your plumbing system is vital to your day to day operations. The heavy strain the system is put under can make problems more common, resulting in expensive fixes and costs associated with lost business.
With this in mind, ensuring you do routine maintenance on your commercial plumbing system is key. Even when you do this, however, some problems are still bound to occur.
In this article, we will cover the six most common plumbing challenges faced by commercial enterprises and tell you how to prevent them.
Common Commercial Plumbing Issues
- Recurring Drain Blockages
Blocked pipes or drains are a common problem for businesses of all types. This is especially so for the hospitality industry where the use of kitchen sinks and dishwashers are common. Blockages in these systems can cause tell-tale slow draining or, even worse, sewage backups.
Many businesses may be tempted to either leave this problem or try fixing the issue themselves to avoid the cost of a plumber. However, this will likely only lead to larger costs down the line, as the blockage will damage the plumbing system and cause more serious issues.
To avoid future blockages, the advice is simple: educate your staff and customers. For example, in your kitchens, inform your employees of the best way to dispose of food waste. They should know not to dump food, grease and other dirt in the sink.
Likewise, for toilets, providing signage with helpful advice on what not to flush can save you stress and money in the long-term. By providing an accompanying bin, this will then encourage both staff and customers to dispose of waste correctly. These measures should help you avoid blocked toilets and keep your system working at optimal levels.
If your sinks, pipes or toilets do become clogged, however, get a professional plumber involved before the issue develops into a larger one.
- Fixture Leaks
No matter how much maintenance you do on your plumbing system, parts eventually wear out. Broken seals, O-rings and washers may cause leaks. Checking your sinks and toilets regularly for leaks will help you determine if there are problems. If you do identify a leak, get a commercial plumber involved to avoid the costs associated with wasting water.
- Low Water Pressure
Low water pressure is a common problem and a major sign that something is wrong. This problem most commonly arises from leaks or burst pipes. This can cause a lot of disruption to your business, such as preventing the effective cleaning of dishes and utensils.
If you are experiencing low water pressure, don't ignore it as leaks may be causing unseen damage to your workflow and raising your water bill. Call for your local commercial plumber instead. They will have the expertise and specialist tools to identify the source of the leak and get the water pressure back to normal again.
- Damaged Shut Off Valves
When it comes to plumbing maintenance and safety, having working shut off valves is vital for your business. These ensure that water can be effectively cut off should a plumbing emergency occur, such as leaks or burst pipes. Most businesses do not use shut off valves on a regular basis. This is why they should be checked frequently as part of standard plumbing maintenance. If any are found to not be fully operational, it's important for a commercial plumber to replace them before problems take hold and disrupt your operations.
- Sewer Odours
Sewage pipes are specially designed to prevent smells from escaping. This is done through the use of traps and U-shaped pipes that travel from the drain all the way through the sewage system. This ultimately prevents your kitchens and bathrooms, or commercial building in general, from smelling like a sewer.
Without proper maintenance, pipes may begin to dry out, causing unpleasant smells that get worse as time passes. It's a good idea to run the water from all taps frequently to prevent pipes from drying out, and to remove any odour that may be lodged.
- Water Temperature Problems
While this may seem like a minor issue, fluctuating water temperature is a symptom of a wider problem. Often this is down to an inappropriately sized or ineffective water heater. Ultimately, the only fix for this is the installation of a suitable water heater that matches your consumption levels. You should never try to do this yourself or hire an unskilled person to do the job. A commercial plumber will be able to advise on the right commercial water heater for your business and install it correctly, saving you stress and money in the long term.
When To Call In A Commercial Plumber
Do you need a commercial plumber ? Find out the top reasons you may need expert support:
- Leaks or Burst Pipes
Burst or leaking pipes can quickly lead to significant damage as the water floods your property, ruining flooring, warping wood and causing mould to set in.
- Sewage Overflow
Sometimes blockages in external drains and sewer lines can cause raw sewage to backflow into your premises.
- Drain Blockages
Regardless of the source, blockages can cause havoc to your plumbing systems. These prevent water from flowing leading to a build up of water, slow drainage and sewage backflows.
- No Hot Water
Breaks in your hot water systems can seriously disrupt your business, preventing sanitation and cleaning from taking place.
- Gas Leaks
If you suspect any of your appliances or gas lines have a leak, take immediate action.
Need A Commercial Plumber?
Mainline Plumbing and Civil has a team of highly-trained and fully equipped plumbers with the specialist knowledge required to handle any commercial plumbing job. We offer the customised service commercial clients need for their complex plumbing requirements. We boast top-notch friendly and professional service for projects of all sizes. We offer a range of installation, repair and maintenance services for corporate clients and investment property owners.
If you reside in Dubbo or the Orana region, call 0423 627 149 or get in touch online to request a quote.
