Commercial plumbing is an important part of any business operation, but it’s also a potential source of leaks and other problems. A faulty commercial plumbing system can cause major issues for your company, including higher utility bills, water damage and leaks that can spread harmful bacteria or mold. Unfortunately, even the most careful homeowner can experience leaks and other plumbing malfunctions in an office building or other commercial space from time to time. Fortunately, the good news is that preventing commercial plumbing issues is fairly straightforward when you know what to look for.
First and foremost, you must know your commercial plumbing system in order to prevent problems before they occur. The best way to do that is to take a tour of your building, noting the locations of all the plumbing fixtures and components. If you don’t know where the water heater and other major plumbing fixtures are located, take a moment to sketch this out before you start your tour. You can also review the plumbing diagrams included in your building permits. If you don’t have permits for your building, you may want to request them in advance.
Next, you should begin regularly checking your commercial plumbing for leaks. The best way to do this is to set up a regular schedule that checks every faucet, valve, pipe and fitting for leaks. If you suspect that a particular pipe or fitting may have a slow leak, use a soapy solution to check for drips. If you find a drip, mark the location and call a plumber right away to repair the damage.
If you live in an area that experiences freezing weather, you may want to take steps to protect your commercial plumbing from damage. First, make sure the water in the pipes is above freezing to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Once the water inside the pipes has been frozen, you may not be able to thaw it out without costly plumbing repairs. To prevent pipes from freezing, wrap them with insulation or wrap them with heating tape. You can also install a heat tape system in your plumbing system that will maintain the water at a safe temperature.
If you have a sewer system, you’ll also want to take steps to prevent a sewer back up. One of the most common causes of sewer backups is tree roots growing into the sewer pipes. You can prevent this problem by installing a root barrier around the sewer pipes. If you have a septic system, you may want to consider a septic pump to prevent clogged sewer lines.
Commercial plumbing is an important part of any business operation, but it’s also a potential source of leaks and other problems. A faulty commercial plumbing system can cause major issues for your company, including higher utility bills, water damage and leaks that can spread harmful bacteria or mold. Fortunately, the good news is that preventing commercial plumbing issues is fairly straightforward when you know what to look for.