Commercial plumbing components are put under much more stress and demand than a typical residential plumbing system. More demands on the system means the likelihood of more problems arising over time. Here are the five most common commercial plumbing problems:
1. LEAKS
Water leaks are simply caused from the wear and tear of the plumbing works. If water leak problems are addressed early, the extent of the damage and the cost of the cleanup can be limited. Some leaks could escape notice of untrained eyes until you receive the water bill.
Leaking Fixtures and Seals
Leaks can occur wherever two plumbing components meet, which means that they can easily go unnoticed. If you have a toilet leak or a cracked pipe in your commercial plumbing system, you could lose up to or more than 3,000 gallons of lost water each year. Not only will that cost you money, but it will also cause serious damage to your commercial property over time.
Faucet leaks
You may think that because faucets leak often, the issue is a common enough occurrence that it isn’t a problem. However, a leaky faucet can waste thousands of gallons a year. This causes you to spend hundreds of dollars more in higher water bills.
Silent leaks
You cannot detect silent leaks until it is too late without watching your water bill carefully. If you notice unusual spikes, that’s a good indication that there is a leak behind a wall somewhere. Silent leaks are dangerous and could cause health problems in the form of toxic mold if not addressed.
Leaking water pipes
Structural damages in a commercial building cannot be avoided especially if it is ten years or older. Issues such as wall and ceiling cracks, problems in the structure’s foundation, soil displacement, and poor drainage can cause a lot of problems in the plumbing system. If there are leaks in the building’s water pipes, it can potentially cause structural damage when one of them bursts.
Low water pressure
Low water pressure is caused by a variety of problems, including leaks and burst pipes. Don’t ignore or try to diagnose this type of problem on your own. Contact a commercial plumbing company if you find any of your faucets have low water pressure.
2. CLOGS
Drain clogs
Drain clogs are less of an issue in residential homes than commercial buildings. Most people tend to take better care of their own things, so they do not treat commercial restrooms with care. People tend to drop bits of paper towels and other debris into commercial drains. The result is that most of the debris gets stuck in the pipes, clogging up the system and slowing down the release of water.
Toilet clogs
Similar to drains, commercial toilets endure a substantial amount of abuse. Luckily, they are also built to last and endure far more use than residential toilets. However, a clogged toilet is still a common plumbing issue. Plunging a commercial toilet may not be enough to unclog it.
Chronic Clogs
If clogs continue to recur, it could be a sign of a much more extensive problem. Chronic clogs can be a sign of pump failure or major septic problems. Pipe collapses or invasive roots can all cause serious clog problems.
3. SMELLS
Bad Odour and Stains
Bad odour can come from any source, from old pipes to clogged drains and toilets. If there are stains in the restrooms, this could indicate leaks in the pipes that are either damaged or are too old. Do not try to address the problem yourself using commercial drain cleaners, because they are not effective in most cases if you do not know the real cause.
4. WATER TEMPERATURE
Inconsistent Water Temperature
Usually, fluctuations in the temperature are caused by wrong estimates of the size and model of the water heater. Commercial water heaters are very complicated, and it can be tricky to keep them working well for your commercial property. Whether you’re running a manufacturing plant, a restaurant, or medical facility, hot water is essential to your daily operations, so keeping your commercial water heater working well is a very important part of keeping your commercial property in excellent shape.
Commercial water heaters need to be inspected every few months to make sure they are running properly. If you notice issues with your hot water supply, you may need to clean the water heater. There are other issues that can affect your water heater, so setting up regular inspections with a commercial plumbing company is the best way to prevent them.
5. TOILET ISSUES
Running toilets
Running toilets always seem to be “on,” draining water or flushing at random intervals. These signs indicate that there is a serious problem with your toilets. Toilet handles are fragile and will break after so many uses.
Failed internal toilet components
Like handles, toilet parts fail often. When these parts fail, don’t try to replace or repair them yourself. Your commercial plumbing is probably not the place to try out a DIY fix you watched on television. By contacting a professional plumber to inspect and repair your toilets, you will save time and money.
Regularly scheduled maintenance on your commercial plumbing system will save you a lot of frustration, time and money. Contact a professional plumber as soon as you notice any of these issues with your system.