Be real with us for a second. If you are a business owner, your flooring drains often times go completely unnoticed. They can be found in your public restrooms, garages, laundry facilities, commercial kitchens, and a number of other spots through your commercial facility. They are crucially important to public sanitation, but can often times be something we rarely consider, until there is a problem that is.
Commercial floor drains are used to consume any overflow of water from things like sinks, tubs, showers, toilets, or even rain and then direct it toward a sewer or storm drain. This design will keep your commercial floors clean, free of water, and gives you peace of mind that your facility will not flood.
That being said, floor drains need to be maintained so that they work properly. If your commercial drain is clogged, it could lead to big problems, or release some very undesired smells. Often times in commercial kitchens can be plugged up with food debris that can be the cause of these issues.
Many companies believe they can just sweep these excess debris towards and down the drain. This can be a costly mistake. In order to ensure that your commercial floor drains are unclogged and working properly, we recommend scheduling a maintenance check by a Forrest Anderson technician.
Check out our Forrest Anderson Commercial Drain Maintenance Tips Below
What happens if the drains are clogged?
Dirt, debris, foreign objects, and hard water build-up cause the slowdown of drains.
Leaving a plunger for use in the bathroom and understanding the dos and don’ts of what can be put in the garbage disposal will help keep plumbing running smoothly.
Left alone, stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew that can make your employees and customers sick. Even the most loyal won’t want to be at your business and that costs you in time, money, and resources.
Not only that, but a clog left alone can cause larger problems like a burst pipe or a back-up that leads to costly mitigation and repairs in the hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Is it a clogged sewer line?
If multiple fixtures are clogged, you may have a clog in the sewer line that needs to be looked at by a professional plumber as soon as possible. If running the dishwasher causes water to back up into the sink, you have a clogged line that may or may not be the sewer. Ignoring it could lead to water backing up into your establishment causing damage to the structure (walls, floors, plumbing).
What can you do to maintain healthy drains?
No one wants to talk about the stopped up toilet or standing water in the sink but reporting these issues could save your business from damages.
Encourage employees and tenants to report slow drains and toilets, backed-up sinks, and other signs of a plumbing issue.
Remember that there are many DIY solutions but none of them are a replacement for professional care and service from a qualified plumber, but remember these additional tips for proper drain up-keep.
Maintain the water in the P-Trap to prevent odors
Clean the strainer regularly
Do not sweep dirt & debris to the drain
Pour a 5-gallon bucket of water down the drain to ensure proper water flow
One of Forrest Anderson's professional plumbing experts can see these signs of commercial drain issues, like clogs or leaks, much more accurately than the average business owner. Having one of our experts create a commercial property drain maintenance program can help your property avoid disasters and emergencies.
If you need help with a difficult clog or a professional inspection of your commercial floor draining pipes, give us a call at 623.780.4060 or visit our website here.