Commercial buildings require special care when it comes to plumbing. New businesses often rely on the services of a commercial plumber who has experience with the unique challenges of commercial plumbing. It’s not just about installing pipes in the walls but also about regular maintenance. Failure to maintain commercial plumbing will lead to costly repairs and might even shut down your business if the plumbing is not in good shape. An occasional inspection of your commercial plumbing system is a great way to stay ahead of the curve and avoid expensive repairs later on. Follow these tips to keep your commercial plumbing system in good condition.
The first and most important thing you can do to keep your commercial plumbing system clean is to keep things clean around the plumbing. Many businesses leave cleaning products for employees to use in their work areas. Those products can cause damage and lead to costly repairs if they get into the plumbing. Keep trash and cleaning products in other areas of the building and away from the pipes. Regularly sweep and clear dust and debris from the floor and the walls around the plumbing system. Get in the habit of cleaning and inspecting the pipes once a month. Be especially careful around the drains and water supply pipes. If you find a problem, don’t try to fix it yourself. Call a professional commercial plumber to have the problem resolved.
The oil in your commercial plumbing system, such as the oil used to lubricate the water supply pipes, is called “flow-back” oil. This oil keeps the metal parts from getting stuck together and helps prevent them from corroding. Over time, these parts will wear out and need to be replaced. When you need to change flow-back oil, don’t use a traditional oil change method. This will cause the oil to come in contact with air, which can lead to corrosion and leaks. Instead, use specialized oil change tools that allow you to change oil even in areas that are difficult to reach. These tools are designed with built-in safety features to protect you from spills. When you need to change the oil in your commercial plumbing system, use a specialized oil change tool to protect yourself from messy spills and to make the process easier.
Maintaining your commercial plumbing system will help you avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your plumbing system. Some of the things you can do include cleaning the pipes, checking for leaks and replacing parts that are damaged or worn out. If your water supply system is made of copper, you should have it inspected once a year to make sure it’s not corroding. Keep in mind that if the pipes are made of iron or steel, they can corrode more quickly. If you have a water main break, don’t use it to flush the toilet. Doing so will cause the sewage to back up and flood your building. It’s best to turn off the main water supply.
Leaks are inevitable, but you can minimize their damage with regular inspection and repair. If you notice a small drip, you can try to repair it yourself. If the drip occurs in an inconvenient place, such as near where you eat or sleep, you can cover it up with a bucket or a bucket trap. If you can’t stop the drip, you should call a plumber to repair it.
When working on plumbing repairs, you should always turn off the faucets in the rest of the building. This will keep the water from leaking onto the floor and damaging it. If you finish repairing the faucet and want to shut it off, be sure to turn off the control valve located under the sink. Doing so will prevent the faucet from leaking and causing damage.
Commercial plumbing is different and requires special attention. If you are setting up a new business, you can start by looking for a commercial plumber to come and inspect your building. If you are running an established business, you should keep an eye out for signs of problems and take action as soon as possible. The best way to take care of your commercial plumbing system is to keep it clean, change the oil once in a while and regularly check for leaks and other issues.