For any commercial property, be it a hospital, hotel, or restaurant, a well-functioning plumbing system is integral to its seamless functioning. Maintaining a commercial plumbing system is more taxing than maintaining a residential one.
Since commercial plumbing systems are usually subjected to heavy loads, you need to pay closer attention to their maintenance, so that you don’t drown in the hefty costs of repairing them. Listed below are some tips that’ll help you reduce your plumbing costs significantly.
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Conduct Regular Inspections
For any infrastructure, whether it’s plumbing or electricity, identifying a problem as early as possible is important. Regular monitoring and inspection of the plumbing system in your commercial establishment will help you identify any potential problems before it’s too late.
After an inspection, if you find any reason for concern, you can immediately call a plumbing professional to repair it before the damage becomes irreversible. This way, you won’t have to tediously reinstall fixtures, pipes, and in some cases your entire plumbing system.
For example, if your water pipes or drains are clogged with dirt and debris, your water pumps will experience undue pressure to pump the water through the system, hence, damaging them.
The pipes may also burst if the clog is too big or your pipes are rusted and disconnect your entire plumbing system. Therefore, it’s imperative to schedule regular inspections to avoid burning a hole in your company’s account later on.
Use Quality Materials
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The best way to cut down on the plumbing costs of your commercial establishment is to use high-quality materials in the first place. Don’t try to cut corners when it comes to using the best materials for fixtures and pipes, because what you save while installing subpar materials will incur heavy losses in the future.
While installing pristine-quality materials will have a significantly higher initial cost, it will be profitable in the long term. Quality plumbing materials will function like clockwork for years to come.
Since they have assured durability, you won’t need to repair or replace them for several years or even decades. For example, before you install pipes for your commercial plumbing system, you’ll need to find out the water pressure and water quality in the area, from a professional.
Depending on these two aspects, you’ll have to select the right rating for your pipes so that they can withstand the required water loads. Similarly, it would be best to select pipes with an anti-corrosive coating.
If a lot of people work or come into your commercial establishment, then the taps you install will have to be of the best quality. This will ensure that they’re not susceptible to leaks and can withstand frequent use.
Work With A Professional
As mentioned earlier, the plumbing system in a commercial establishment is much more complex when you compare it with a residential one. While it’s an integral part of a business’ functioning, it is unfortunately overlooked quite often.
Not only is it important to install high-quality plumbing fixtures, but it is also important to work with a trustworthy, reliable, and experienced professional, like sewersquad.ca.
Hiring uncertified technicians who will do the work at a lower cost, will likely lead to costly mistakes. Before you hire a professional ensure they’re licensed, experienced, skilled, and insured. They should also be knowledgeable about commercial plumbing systems and how they differ from residential plumbing.
Keep An Eye On Water Pressure
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If the water pressure in your area is prone to fluctuations, then monitor it constantly. Both high and low pressure is unfavorable for commercial plumbing systems – there should be balanced water pressure.
While most people might think that high water pressure is ideal for performing commercial tasks like washing or cleaning quickly, the con outweighs the benefit. High water pressure, when unaccounted for, will exert undue force on the pipes, thus, maximizing the risk of leaks or bursts.
Low water pressure is also not ideal because it will reduce the efficiency of your plumbing system. If you’re experiencing high water pressure, a plumber will be able to adjust the plumbing system. Sudden low water pressure, on the other hand, could possibly indicate that there’s an underlying problem such as a clog or mineral build-up.
Monitor The Drains
Drain lines are often overlooked in commercial plumbing systems, since they’re not in our line of sight, unlike pipes. However, when drains become clogged and back up, it leads to a domino effect where everything else gets backed up as well.
To ensure your drains are functioning smoothly, it’s important to have a proactive maintenance plan. Pre-plan your drain care schedule to significantly lower maintenance and repair costs.
Another important aspect of drain maintenance is filling your traps regularly, to prevent foul odors. Also known as priming, this step will ensure that any debris that could potentially lead to a clog, is cleared away, therefore, ensuring a properly working line.
To prevent drain clogs, due to people flushing toilet paper and other foreign materials down the drain, you could install drain screens. These are super easy to install and don’t cost a fortune. They can catch most of the materials that could have gone down the drain and clogged it.
Opt For Eco-Friendly Options
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There are several eco-friendly commercial plumbing solutions out there that will not only help you conserve water, but will also reduce plumbing costs. For instance, instead of using harsh chemicals to unclog drains which may result in a hefty fine from the EPA, you could go for milder alternatives.
These include baking soda, vinegar, and other environmentally-safe options that will unclog your drain and also protect it from the corrosive effect of harsh chemicals. You can also replace old, outdated bathroom fixtures with new innovations like touchless faucets.
New fixtures will need fewer repairs over time and have fewer replacement parts. Another benefit of these controlled usage fixtures is that they will help you conserve water, which in turn, will reduce your water bills drastically.
Final Words
Maintaining a commercial plumbing system may seem like a Herculean task. However, a well-thought-out maintenance schedule, regular inspection, and high-quality, eco-friendly materials will help you stick to your plumbing budget.
