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Solving The Top 5 Commercial Plumbing Problems

Solving The Top 5 Commercial Plumbing Problems

Commercial plumbing is a critical component of any business establishment. It is essential to ensure that the plumbing system is in good condition to avoid inconveniences and costly breakdowns. As with any system, commercial plumbing is prone to various problems that can significantly affect business operations. Therefore, it is crucial to have a basic understanding of the top commercial plumbing problems and how to solve them to minimize potential losses and damages. This article will explore the top five commercial plumbing problems and how to prevent and fix them.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains are a common commercial plumbing problem that can affect any business. This problem can be caused by various factors, such as grease, hair, soap scum, and food debris, among others. If not addressed in time, clogged drains can lead to wastewater backups and bad odor, which can significantly disrupt business operations and create an unwelcoming environment for customers and employees. To solve clogged drain problems, businesses can take several steps, such as:

  • Train employees on proper waste disposal practices to prevent clogging
  • Install drain strainers to trap debris
  • Use eco-friendly drain cleaning products to dissolve clogs
a commercial plumber performing a commercial drain cleaning.

If not addressed in time, clogged drains can lead to wastewater backups and bad odor, which can significantly disrupt business operations and create an unwelcoming environment for customers and employees.

Leaky Faucets and Toilets

Leaky faucets and toilets are another common commercial plumbing problem that can waste a significant amount of water and increase utility bills. Leaks can be caused by worn-out seals, damaged pipes, or faulty fixtures. If ignored, leaks can damage walls, floors, and other parts of the building, leading to costly repairs and renovations. To prevent and fix leaky faucets and toilets, businesses can take the following steps:

  • Regularly inspect faucets, toilets, and pipes for leaks
  • Replace worn-out seals and fixtures
  • Install water-efficient faucets and toilets to conserve water and reduce utility bills

Broken Water Heaters

A broken water heater can significantly disrupt business operations, especially in establishments that rely on hot water for their activities, such as restaurants, hotels, and hospitals. Common signs of a broken water heater include no hot water, slow heating, discolored water, and strange noises. The causes of broken water heaters can range from old age to faulty installation or maintenance. To prevent and repair broken water heaters, businesses can take the following measures:

  • Regularly inspect water heaters for signs of damage, wear, and tear
  • Replace old and outdated water heaters with new and energy-efficient models
  • Enroll in a maintenance plan with a professional plumber to perform regular inspections, cleaning, and repairs
  • Contact a professional plumber immediately if you notice any signs of a broken water heater
a commercial water heater repair.

Common signs of a broken water heater include no hot water, slow heating, discolored water, and strange noises.

Backflow Issues

Backflow occurs when contaminants, such as chemicals and bacteria, flow back into the main water supply. This can be caused by a sudden change in water pressure, damaged backflow preventers, or cross-connection between potable and non-potable water sources. Backflow issues can pose a health risk to customers, employees, and the community, leading to lawsuits, fines, and reputation damage. To prevent and fix backflow issues, businesses can take the following steps:

  • Install backflow preventers to ensure they are working correctly
  • Implement cross-connection control measures to prevent contaminated water from entering the main supply
  • Enroll in a backflow prevention program with a certified plumber to perform regular inspections, testing, and repairs
  • Contact a professional plumber immediately if you notice signs of backflow, such as discolored water or unusual odor

Burst Pipes

Burst pipes are a severe commercial plumbing problem that can cause extensive damage to your building, fixtures, and equipment. Burst pipes can be caused by various factors, such as freezing temperatures, high water pressure, corrosion, and poor maintenance. To prevent and fix burst pipe emergencies, businesses can take the following measures:

  • Insulate pipes in cold areas to prevent freezing and bursting
  • Regularly inspect pipes for signs of corrosion, leaks, and damage
  • Replace old and worn-out pipes with new and durable ones
  • Hire a professional plumber to perform routine maintenance and repairs

Summing It Up

Commercial plumbing problems can significantly affect business operations, reputation, and profitability. Therefore, it is essential to take preventive measures to minimize the risk of plumbing problems and have a professional plumber on standby to fix any issues that may arise. By following the tips highlighted in this article, businesses can save money, conserve water, and provide a safe and healthy environment for their customers and employees.

The 5 Most Common Plumbing Issues in Commercial Buildings

The 5 Most Common Plumbing Issues in Commercial Buildings

Plumbing systems are often the most overworked mechanical systems in any building. Throughout the course of a single day and, sometimes even at night, the plumbing is called upon to handle a constant load of clean water, wastewater, and submerged solids.

Plumbing systems are exposed to a wide variety of stresses. Some of these stresses include the friction and corrosive effect of flowing water, along with the chemical impact of the dissolved contents in the water. Plumbing systems may also be damaged by mishandling.

This is why plumbing issues are easily the most common maintenance issue you will have in your building. In addition to this, the other two challenges with plumbing issues at your business are that they are tricky to detect and costly to fix.

Plumbing issues in commercial buildings

The impact of malfunctioning plumbing systems is greater when it happens in a commercial building. Commercial plumbing systems are more extensive and a lot more complicated than residential systems, explains Campus Connection Management. When they have problems, those problems tend to be harder to solve.

Moreover, because of the number of people who use a commercial facility, issues with the systems will have a more widespread impact. It will not only devastate the operations of the businesses in the building, but it can also hurt the income of your tenants.

This is why it is important to know the common plumbing issues you are likely to encounter in your commercial building. Knowing this will let you determine the right steps to protect the systems, detect problems early and solve them before they get worse.

Here are the 5 most common plumbing issues in commercial buildings:

Clogged drains

Clogged drains are probably the number one issue you will face with your commercial plumbing system. This is partly due to the large volume of waste passing through the drainpipes. Also, commercial plumbing is more exposed to abuse, since it is harder to control the number of people in the facility who uses the plumbing. 

As a result, you are more likely to have issues with people flushing non-flushable objects into the drains. Additionally, the presence of commercial kitchens, restaurants, or similar businesses in a commercial building means there is a huge possibility of fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) finding their way into the drains and clogging them.

All kinds of leakages

Commercial plumbing systems are expansive; they feature miles and miles of pipework that are subject to constant pressure throughout the day. With the level of sustained use that commercial plumbing systems see, it is normal for problems to occur within their networks of pipes. 

One common issue is leaking from pipes, faucets, sinks, or toilets. This can be a persistent problem in commercial facilities and the issue is often connected to misuse of the plumbing by people who work in or visit the building. Another reason why leaks seem to reoccur in commercial buildings is the vastness of the system makes it hard to track problems and fix them on time.

Water temperature issues

The people who use the plumbing systems in a commercial property have the same need for hot water as people using a residential plumbing system. But because of the size of the demand for hot water in commercial facilities, commercial water heaters are many times larger and more complicated than residential systems. 

Commercial water heaters depreciate faster due to the work they must do to meet the huge demands on them. Additionally, commercial water heaters are subject to tougher regulations. They often need to be able to meet the unique hot water requirements of the businesses that occupy the facility.

Damaged piping

The incidence of damaged pipes is higher in commercial plumbing systems because of the sheer size of the pipe network. The probability of problems within a plumbing system increases with the size of the system and the number of people using it. Also, the fact that pipes in a commercial plumbing system are subject to extreme pressures that residential plumbing systems are not exposed to makes them more vulnerable to damage such as a burst pipe emergency.

Furthermore, it is a lot of work to monitor the hundreds of miles of pipes in a commercial property. Therefore, when there are problems with one of the pipe sections in the network, the chances that the issue will escalate are higher.

Sewage odors

This is probably the most damaging plumbing issue you can have on your commercial property. If bad odors are coming from pipes and plumbing fixtures in the property, it will wreak havoc on the businesses on your premises. The problem will affect everyone who visits the facility even if they don’t use any of the plumbing features. 

What causes bad odors from a plumbing system? The likely causes are burst piping, clogged drains that need cleaning, and dry pipes. Sewage odors in your facility must be dealt with quickly if you don’t want to lose your customers and subject your employees to an unpleasant working environment.