Helpful Maintenance Plumbing Tips for Commercial Plumbing

Maintaining Commercial Plumbing is Important

At Trinity Plumbing, we believe in the importance of proactively preventing plumbing problems to keep your commercial plumbing functioning smoothly. To aid in this effort, Robert (owner & Master Plumber) would like to share some practical plumbing tips for common issues that you may encounter with your commercial plumbing.

Maintaining commercial plumbing is important for the health and safety of employees and customers, financial stability of the business, and the overall value of the commercial property.

Health and safety: A malfunctioning plumbing system in a commercial space can result in health hazards, such as contamination of drinking water, which can cause serious illnesses.

Preventing downtime and lost revenue: Plumbing issues in commercial spaces can result in costly downtime, which can impact the business’s bottom line.

Legal compliance: Commercial spaces are subject to health and safety regulations, and regular plumbing maintenance helps ensure compliance with these regulations.

Avoiding expensive repairs: Regular maintenance can help prevent major plumbing issues and the need for costly repairs.

Maintaining property value: Properly functioning plumbing is a key factor in the overall condition of a commercial property, which can impact its value.

Avoid Commercial Plumbing Problems

Commercial plumbing systems are an essential aspect of any business or organization, as they are responsible for providing clean water and removing waste. However, if not properly maintained, these systems can cause major disruptions, leading to costly repairs and loss of revenue. To avoid such problems and ensure the smooth functioning of your commercial plumbing, it is important to take a proactive approach and implement regular maintenance and inspections.

Here are a few tips and best practices to help you avoid common commercial plumbing issues and keep your business running smoothly.

Overall Commercial Plumbing Maintenance

Preventive maintenance program: Establish & implement a preventive maintenance program to help you stay on top of your plumbing maintenance tasks and reduce the likelihood of costly repairs. This program should include regular inspections, cleaning, and maintenance of all faucets, drains, toilets, water heaters, pipe, water & sewer lines.
Regular Inspections: Have a professional plumber inspect all plumbing systems regularly to detect and repair any potential problems before they cause major damage.
Plumbing Upgrades: Consider upgrading older plumbing systems to improve efficiency, reduce water waste, and lower utility bills.
Camera Inspections: Sewer and drain lines can get blocked with tree roots, grease, soap, oils, hair, leaves, dirt, minerals and a whole multitude of other materials. These blockages can lead to some serious problems. Prevent sewerage backups and serious clogs by having regular camera inspections. With a camera inside the pipe line, we can identify the location of a plumbing problem or blockage no matter where it’s located.

Sewer Line Maintenance

Schedule regular inspections and cleanings: Have a professional plumber inspect your sewer lines at least once a year to identify any potential issues and prevent problems from developing. Cleaning your sewer lines every 2-3 years can help keep them functioning smoothly.
Install backflow preventers: Backflow preventers help to protect your sewer lines from becoming contaminated with harmful substances. They are especially important if your commercial building is near a body of water or a flood zone.
Address clogs immediately: If you notice a clog in one of your drains, address it immediately to prevent it from spreading to other parts of your plumbing system. Use a plumbing snake or call a professional plumber for sewage jetting to help locate and clear clogs. (Sewer Jetting is a concentration of high pressure water blasts through obstructions until they are flushed out of the system.)
Keep an eye out for signs of damage: Watch for signs of damage such as leaks, slow-draining pipes, and water backup. If you notice any of these issues, call a professional plumber to diagnose and repair the problem.
Proper disposal of waste: Make sure to properly dispose of waste and chemicals, especially if they can cause damage to the pipes or harm the environment.
Consider upgrading your sewer lines: If your sewer lines are old or made of outdated materials, consider upgrading them to ensure they are functioning optimally and prevent potential problems in the future. Consider Trenchless Sewer Repair & Replacement. (Trenchless is a painless way to repair or replace underground damaged pipes and sewer lines. Your plumbing or sewer problem can be repaired or replaced without digging a trench through your landscaping, driveway, parking lot or property.)

Backflow Prevention Devices Maintenance

Regular Inspection: Regular inspections are important to maintain the certification of your backflow prevention device. This is necessary to meet local regulations and to ensure that the water supplied to your building is safe and of high quality.
Professional Maintenance: Hire a licensed plumber to perform routine maintenance and repairs on backflow prevention devices to keep them functioning properly.
Keep Records: Keep detailed records of all inspections, maintenance and repairs to ensure that the device is being properly maintained.
Regular Testing: Have the backflow prevention device tested at least once a year to make sure it is working properly.
Proper Installation: Make sure that the backflow prevention device is installed correctly, following all local codes and regulations.
Replace When Necessary: If the backflow prevention device is old or damaged, replace it as soon as possible to avoid potential leaks and other problems.

Sewage Pumps Maintenance

Don’t let a faulty sewage pump or grinder pump cause damage to your building & commercial property.

Regular Inspection: Regularly inspect your sewage pumps to identify potential problems early on and avoid costly repairs. Check for leaks, cracks, or damage to the pump and its components.
Emergency Preparation: It’s important to have a backup plan in place in case of a sewage pump failure. Have an emergency backup generator, or a secondary pump, in case the primary pump fails.
Proper Usage: Ensure that only appropriate waste is disposed of through your sewage pumps. Avoid putting grease, oil, or any other non-degradable waste into the system.
Keep It Clean: Regularly clean the sewage pump and its surrounding area to avoid clogs and blockages. This includes removing any debris, leaves, or other materials that may have accumulated.
Proper Maintenance: Regular maintenance of your sewage pump is important to ensure that it continues to operate effectively and efficiently. This includes checking for proper levels of oil, tightening any loose parts, and cleaning or replacing the filters as needed.
Professional Assistance: If you encounter any issues or problems with your sewage pump, seek professional assistance. A licensed plumber will be able to diagnose and fix the problem quickly and effectively.

Drains Maintenance

Clean: Regularly inspect and clean the drains to remove any buildup of debris, hair, soap scum, and grease.
Main Drain: Regularly clean the main drain and all other drains in the building to avoid blockages and ensure proper flow.
Strainers: Install strainers or screens in the sink drains to prevent large debris from clogging the pipes.
Grease: Avoid pouring grease or oil down the drains, as this can cause buildup in the pipes over time.
Inspect: Have a regular video plumbing inspection to detect any potential clogs or leaks early.
Clog-free: Regularly flush the drains with a solution of baking soda, vinegar, and hot water to keep them clear and prevent clogs.
Don’t Ignore Issues: If you notice slow-draining sinks or toilets, address the issue as soon as possible to prevent bigger problems in the future.

Faucet Maintenance

Regularly check for leaks: Inspect all faucets and pipes for leaks on a regular basis. Fix any leaks immediately to prevent water damage and save water.
Install water filtration systems: Installing water filtration systems can help prevent mineral buildup and clogs in the faucets and pipes, improving the overall performance of the plumbing system.
Regular cleaning: Regular cleaning of the faucets and pipes helps prevent mineral buildup, which can cause clogs and reduce water flow. Clean faucets with a soft cloth and use a cleaning solution specifically designed for faucets to remove any buildup.
Replace washers: Over time, washers in faucets can become worn and brittle, leading to leaks. Replace washers regularly to ensure proper function of the faucet.
Regular maintenance: Hire a professional plumber to perform regular maintenance on all faucets and pipes to identify and fix any potential problems before they become serious.

Toilet Maintenance

Inspect: Regularly inspect toilets for leaks or clogs and fix them promptly to prevent larger issues.
Type of Toilet: Consider installing low-flow toilets to reduce water usage and save on utility bills.
Signage & Disposal: Encourage proper disposal of waste and discourage flushing of non-degradable items, such as baby wipes, sanitary napkins, or paper towels. Hang signage & provide trashcans in stalls.
Schedule: Schedule routine maintenance and cleaning of the toilets to keep them functioning properly and to extend their lifespan. Check toilets for leaks, repair or replace worn parts, and ensure proper flushing.
Inspect: Inspect and clean the traps and drain lines to prevent slow-draining toilets and clogs.
Ventilation: Install proper ventilation to prevent sewer gas from entering the building.
Training: Train employees on proper usage of toilets and report any issues promptly.

Water Heater Maintenance

Safety: Check temperature settings regularly to make sure they are at safe levels and not causing damage to pipes or risking scalding.
Pressure: Monitor the pressure relief valve to make sure it is functioning properly and discharging excess pressure when needed.
Inspect: Inspect the anode rod and replace it as needed to prevent corrosion and prolong the life of the water heater.
Flush: Flush water heater tanks annually to remove built-up sediment and improve the efficiency of the water heater.
Maintenance: Schedule regular maintenance by a licensed plumber to catch and fix small issues with your water heaters before they turn into major problems.

Water Filtration Maintenance

Regularly check and replace filters: Check and replace the filters in your water filtration system as often as recommended by the manufacturer. Failing to do so can result in a reduced efficiency of the system and can also allow contaminants to pass through the filters into your water supply.
Clean the system regularly: Clean the exterior of your water filtration system regularly to prevent the build-up of debris and to maintain its efficiency.
Monitor water pressure: Regularly monitor the water pressure in your system to ensure it remains within the recommended range. High water pressure can damage the system and reduce its efficiency.
Hire a professional for annual check-ups: Hire a professional plumber to conduct an annual check-up of your water filtration system to ensure it is functioning correctly and to make any necessary repairs or replacements.
Replace outdated systems: If your water filtration system is outdated, consider replacing it with a newer, more efficient system to ensure the best quality water for your business.

By following these commercial plumbing maintenance tips, you can avoid costly repairs and keep your plumbing system functioning smoothly. Remember, it’s always better to be proactive and address small issues before they become big problems. If you have any plumbing problems, it’s important to hire a professional plumber to ensure the safety and proper functioning of commercial plumbing systems. To schedule service and regular preventative maintenance, contact Trinity Plumbing.