Most plumbing issues don’t happen suddenly. Instead, the problem builds up over time. Suddenly, your commercial building is without water, and you are paying a technician to come out and resolve the issue.
While not all plumbing problems are preventable, you can avoid some simply by performing routine maintenance.
Here’s a brief overview of some preventative maintenance steps we recommend to our commercial clients.
Water Leaks
Appliances and faucets can start leaking, gradually becoming worse over time.
Did you know on average, one drip from a faucet every two seconds can add up to 3,000 gallons of water wasted annually? It also means higher-than-average water bills that can take up a significant portion of your operating budget.
You also want to check appliances like water heaters. If your commercial building has in-house washing machines, don’t forget to check these appliances for leaks. Look underneath and around the appliance for wet spots and puddles. Placing a drip tray underneath the leak will help protect your flooring until repairs can be made.
Commercial Plumbing Systems
Your commercial plumbing system goes through a lot. It is almost always used when the building is open to employees and visitors. For some buildings, this can mean using 24/7, which can be disastrous when the plumbing fails.
Not only is it an inconvenience, but plumbing problems can also cause extensive damage.
There are a lot of parts in a commercial plumbing system, and keeping track of everything isn’t always easy. We suggest creating a maintenance schedule and checklist to ensure nothing is overlooked. It’s also a good idea to assign specific employees to the maintenance tasks. It’s an easy and effective way to prevent any confusion over who is responsible for which task.
Some items to include on your list include checking for leaks, evaluating the water pressure, and inspecting the water heater. It’s also a good idea to look for signs of rust and corrosion on any of the plumbing system’s components.
Inspect Your Sewer Drains
No one enjoys inspecting sewer drains. It’s not a pleasant task. However, it can help prevent expensive and extensive repairs.
CS Mechanical recommends creating a sewer drain inspection schedule. Strive to inspect the drains at least once every six months. Remove any loose debris that may clog the drain, and check for tree roots and other types of blockages.
Some clogs you can remove without calling for a plumber. You may want to invest in an auger to keep at your commercial building. The handy tool can easily remove most blockages, but sometimes you need help from a professional.
Instead of waiting until the clog disrupts your water supply or damages the plumbing, schedule an appointment with us. It’s less expensive than paying for repairs.
Another preventive plumbing maintenance tip is to watch what is flushed down the drain. Avoid putting items like plastics and grease. These can cause your drain to back up. It also applies to your toilets. Only flush human waste and toilet paper down the drain.
Pipe Insulation
Even the Texas Gulf Coast can experience freezing temperatures in the winter. At CS Mechanical, we recommend our clients insulate water pipes underground and in the attic.
When water freezes inside the pipe, breaks are common, and the repairs can be expensive. Insulating your water pipes before freezing weather arrives is a cost-effective way of preventing major plumbing problems.
Expansion Tank
Most commercial buildings have expansion tanks. These tanks relieve some of the pressure in your hot water system. The pressurized tank accepts heated water and returns the pressure to the hot water system as the liquid cools.
While an expansion tank can help prolong the life of your water heater, it also requires some preventive maintenance to continue functioning optimally. Thankfully, the maintenance steps are simple and do not require much time or effort from your employees.
An easy way to keep up with the tank’s maintenance is to schedule the inspections to coincide with your sewer drain inspections. At least once every six months, drain and flush the tank. This helps to remove any debris and buildups that could impact the tank’s efficiency.
Checking Temperature Valves
Did you know some states legally require commercial building owners and managers to check their water temperature valves once a year? Even if it’s not a legal requirement, it’s still a good idea to routinely check your building’s water temperature.
To check the water temperature, you want to perform the test separately on the hot and cold valves. It involves checking the water temperature to ensure it matches the settings. The primary reason you want to check the temperature values is to prevent potential burns from scalding water.
Plumbing Emergencies
Even with regular maintenance, commercial plumbing systems can still develop problems. If this happens to your building, schedule an appointment with CS Mechanical.