Common commercial plumbing problems and tips to prevent them

Commercial plumbing systems are more complex than standard residential systems. They generally work harder and at a faster rate. For this reason, they commonly experience problems; sometimes daily. As a commercial property owner, it is important to ensure your building is code compliant and maintains a safe and functional plumbing system. This not only protects your investment and prevents devastating disasters and costly repairs, it also protects your guests and employees, and provides a safe and comfortable environment for everyone. Read on to learn about some of the most common plumbing problems in commercial buildings, as well as some helpful preventative maintenance tips.

Common commercial plumbing problems:

Water leaks

There are several areas that can experience leaks. Pipes, faucets, fittings, and more can leak if faulty or improperly installed. The most common are faucet leaks, which usually occur as a result of a corroded rubber gasket or O-ring. Be aware that leaks can occur wherever there is a seam in the pipe. When seals wear, loosen, or break, a leak can occur. In extreme cases, cracks and breaks in the pipes are the cause of water leaks.

Silent leaks

Water leaks are tricky because they can start out very small, with just one drip per minute, but then eventually turn into a big, expensive mess. There is a common plumbing problem known as silent leaks, in which the water leaks are hidden. Over time, quiet leaks get worse because nobody knows about them and they are not repaired. These types of leaks can and often do cause a significant amount of structural damage. Toilets and underground pipes are the most frequent places for silent water leaks.

Clogged toilets and drains

Whether your commercial building is open to the public or just to employees, restrooms get a lot of attention. For this reason, plumbing clogs are a common problem. Unfortunately, not everyone follows the rules of what not to flush when it is not theirs. Drains get clogged too often in bathrooms, but also in employee break rooms, commercial kitchens, gyms, and businesses like barber shops and hair salons. Things like food, paper, leaves, and grease all contribute to clogged drains.

Prevention tips:

Discuss good plumbing practices with staff. For the general public, create posters to display in public restrooms and break rooms that demonstrate good plumbing practices.

Find a professional plumber and use him consistently for all your commercial plumbing needs. Make sure they are state licensed master plumbers with at least 10 years of commercial plumbing experience.

Follow a routine plumbing service and maintenance schedule to ensure efficient and reliable performance and to catch small problems before they become big ones.

As soon as you become aware of a problem, have it resolved immediately. When it comes to plumbing, small problems can turn into big ones overnight. And the bigger the problem, the more expensive and invasive it is to repair.