Common Plumbing Issues Businesses Experience

Any plumbing problem is inconvenient, but when it happens at your business, it can also be costly. Not only do you need to pay for a repair, you could be losing business or revenue until the issue is resolved. You cannot plan for a plumbing issue, but you can be aware of what problems can occur and how best to handle them. Here are some common plumbing issues that plague businesses and what to do if one happens at your business.

Backed-Up Toilet

Every business has bathrooms, some just for employees and others for both employees and customers. When a toilet backs up and overflows, it can cause a health hazard. In a public restroom, you may need to shut down your business until it is fixed.

Broken Water Pipe

A broken water pipe has more than one issue if you own a business. Not only do you need to get the pipe repaired, you may also need to shut off the water supply to the building. Many businesses, especially restaurants, cannot be open without running water, so this can cause a financial problem until the pipe is fixed.

Boiler Shutdowns

No hot water or heat in the middle of winter is a big issue for a business. Boiler shutdowns are a common reason to call in a commercial plumber for a fast repair.

Drain Clogs

Clogged drains are a problem in any plumbed building, but a bigger issue if you have customers to serve. An overflowing sink or toilet can be caused by indoor drain clogs or a sewer line issue and will need immediate service.

When you have a plumbing crisis at your business, you need a plumber that can handle the scope of a commercial plumbing problem. Keep a reputable commercial plumber on speed-dial that has 24/7 priority service for businesses to get the problem fixed fast to reduce losses in revenue.

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.
106-M Oakgrove Road
Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 435-4441

Preventive Maintenance for Your Commercial Plumbing

If you own a commercial building, you know how expensive emergency plumbing repairs can be. A busted pipe, malfunctioning boiler or backflow problem can quickly cost you thousands of dollars, destroying your overhead budget. A good investment into your commercial property is to begin a preventative maintenance program for your plumbing. This can help reduce plumbing emergencies and downtime for your business, saving you time and your business money. 

Commercial Plumbing Maintenance Plans

Quality commercial plumbing companies offer preventive maintenance plans and programs that help keep your plumbing and equipment running smoothly. Depending on your business and plumbing needs, these plans can include:

  • Regular inspections. Many emergencies can be prevented with annual or semi-annual inspections of your plumbing and equipment. An experienced commercial plumbing service can identify possible issues and resolve them before they cause unexpected downtime for your business.
  • Equipment service and maintenance.  From your boilers to water heaters, you need to maintain your plumbing equipment with regular service and maintenance. This can prevent breakdowns and extend the life of your equipment.
  • Backflow testing. Most commercial buildings are required to have backflow testing and certification. Many commercial plumbing maintenance plans include professional backflow testing and certification for your building and business.

To find a plumbing company to provide preventive maintenance for your commercial building, choose a contractor that specializes in commercial plumbing. Ask about the types of service or maintenance programs they have available for your type of commercial building to ensure that it will meet your needs. Quality commercial plumbing companies can tailor a maintenance plan that will help maintain your equipment, certification requirements and prevent expensive plumbing emergencies.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

Avoid Costly Commercial Plumbing Problems

Being prepared for the unexpected is part of running a successful business. Maintaining your building, including the plumbing inside, is an essential part of preventing many unforeseen issues which can affect your business. A plumbing emergency can be costly, both in service fees and down time for your company. Many expensive plumbing problems can be avoided by starting a commercial plumbing maintenance program.

Preventive Plumbing Maintenance Plans

The best way to prepare for unexpected plumbing problems is to avoid them altogether. With a regular preventive maintenance program, you can routinely have your commercial plumbing serviced and inspected to reduce the chance of major problems down the road. Instead of waiting for the next big plumbing emergency with the potential to shut down your business, like a burst pipe or clogged sewer line, invest in preventing these types of issues in the first place.

Some reputable commercial plumbing companies offer comprehensive maintenance programs that can be tailored to your company’s specific needs. Whether you own a restaurant that needs regular grease trap cleanings or an office building with a boiler system, a maintenance plan can be a wise investment in keeping your plumbing fixtures free from expensive breakdowns. Not only does preventative maintenance generally cost less than repairs, it can prevent loss of revenue if your business must close for those repairs.

Don’t wait for the next plumbing emergency to shut down your commercial building or business. Get started on a plumbing maintenance plan to avoid these types of expensive problems, saving your company time and money.  Talk to a local commercial plumbing company about what maintenance plans they offer, and which one will meet your specific business needs.

Posted on behalf of Metro Septic and Plumbing

Backflow Preventers

Domestic water lines that service commercial and residential buildings allow water to enter into the buildings by relying on water pressure to move the water.  In times of low water pressure it would be possible for water to run away from the building and into the locality’s water pipes.  Backflow preventers, which act as a one-way valve, stop this from happening and are required by the applicable building and plumbing codes to be used in a variety of residential can commercial applications.

The reason that they are required is to prevent the public water supply from being contaminated by the reversal of water into the public water system.  Contaminated water is taken very seriously by all jurisdictions and in addition to heavy fines, many jurisdictions will also shut off the water supply to the building ,if it is discovered that the water supply is being contaminated as a result of a backflow issue.

Backflow preventers are pretty complex mechanical devices and require periodic inspections and testing, which are required by law in most jurisdictions, as well as periodic maintenance. Inspections and backflow testing are done by experienced and trained technicians using sophisticated measuring devices to verify that the backflow preventer is working properly.

In the event that an issue is discovered the technician will make the necessary repairs.  There are a number of backflow preventers on the market today, all of which have many moving parts and components.  As a result periodic maintenance is required to keep them functioning properly, while protecting the public water system that we all rely on!

Posted on Behalf of Citywide Plumbing

Boiler Repairs

Most commercial and industrial buildings utilize boilers for a variety of uses including heating water, space heating and operating industrial machinery.  Although today’s boilers are complex, safe and technically advanced, the underlying technology has been in use since the beginning of the industrial revolution.  In general, boilers heat water to a very high temperature until the water turns to steam.  It is the steam that heats the water, provides space heating and drives the machinery.  In general, boilers are most often found in commercial and industrial buildings, however it is common the see them in high-end residential homes, especially if a radiant heating system is installed.

Although the upfront investment in boiler technology is higher than a standard or tankless water heater, over time commercial and industrial users find that the boiler system is cost effective in the long run, as often these users require a significant amount of hot water.   While in the past boilers have been coal fired, most boilers today are fired using either natural gas or propane.

One of the key factors with any boiler system is to have periodic inspections by a qualified boiler technician to verify that the equipment is working properly and safely.  Since boilers are much more complex than water heaters, specialized training, experience and equipment is required to safely make inspections and repairs as needed.  In dealing with boilers, safety cannot be taken for granted so it is highly recommended that only qualified boiler technicians perform the inspections and make any necessary repairs!

Posted on behalf of Citywide Plumbing