5 Common Commercial Plumbing Problems and How to Prevent Them

We’ve all faced plumbing issues in our homes, from clogged toilets to leaky pipes. However, plumbing problems in commercial properties have higher stakes and can snowball into a serious issue in a short period of time. Why? Because it impacts not only you, but all your employees and clients, and can quickly become an expensive issue to resolve. Everyday operations and efficiency may slow down, resulting in a loss of income and a major headache.

The key to avoiding complicated plumbing issues is routine maintenance. Constantly getting your property checked out for issues greatly reduces the risk of a major problem occurring and impacting the wellbeing of your clients and employees. As a business owner, it is important to refer to professional plumbers in Concord who can identify and solve any issues efficiently, instead of DIY short-term hacks, which can cause bigger problems over time.

To set up monthly maintenance services, check out our plumbing services here, and if your issue has suddenly grown out of control (it happens!), you can always reach our emergency services team for an instant solution.

We always say prevention is key, so here are the most common plumbing problems to watch out for, and how to effectively prevent them:

1. Clogged drains

One of the most common issues faced in commercial properties is clogged drains. Whether it is in an apartment toilet tub or a restaurant kitchen drain, this minor issue can often become very big if not resolved immediately. Make sure your employees and clients refrain from throwing solid items like vegetables, bandages, or kitty litter down the drain, as well as greasy or starchy items. If there is still a minor buildup, you could unclog your drain with a plunger, but if the issue persists, reach out for professional help immediately.

Clogged drains can cause multiple other drains to back up, leading to flooding or water shortage, which is why it is important to handle the issue at the onset. Regular cleanliness and maintenance go a long way, as well as better usage habits. Drain screens are a great preventative measure, especially for apartment tenants, as they prevent damaging items from going down the drain.

2. Fixture leaks

When seals or washers get worn or overused, fixtures such as faucets or showerheads can get leaky. This can lead to water wastage and damage your fixtures in the long run. While waiting for your professional plumber to arrive, you could turn off your hot and cold water valves to minimize further water damage, or shut off the main water line.

Our Customer Value Protection Plan (CVPP) helps you with automatic inspections and routine system cleaning and maintenance. Professional help may diagnose the main problem at hand, whether it is pressure buildup or a bracket replacement. This is both better for the environment and for your beautiful fixtures!

3. Water temperature problems

Another common problem is when water doesn’t heat up, indicating issues with your water heater. Commercial water heaters face a lot of strain due to the increased usage, and require standard maintenance or adjustment. This can result in fluctuating temperatures, water not heating up adequately or staying hot long enough, as well as a complete stoppage in hot water output.

Trying to fix the problem yourself gets tricky, as it can lead to electrical outages or short circuits, as well as burns from sudden high pressure water outflows. If you notice that your water heater is not working normally, reach out to a professional. The issue may just be the water heater, but is often connected to other electrical lines as well.

4. Dirty faucet water

Water is easily contaminated, especially in older properties and structures. Sometimes, issues that weren’t attended to in time lead to pipe corrosion, or sewage lines begin to break down after years of wear and tear or neglect.

It is also possible that dirty water may not be a result of contamination, but is impacted by the source of water instead. Constantly check the colour, opacity, and scent of your water to quickly identify a problem, or reach out to local authorities on water quality levels and information on where the water is coming from.

Contaminated water can be dangerous and lead to serious health issues for your employees and clients. Stop water usage immediately when you notice any issues, and let the authorities and professionals know.

5. Line breaks

This is a problem that is hidden out of sight, so is often unreported until it causes a larger issue. Main water or sewer lines can break, but without a physical indicator that something is wrong, it often gets ignored. Line breaks can later lead to sewage backups, water pressure changes, quick bursts of water, or even flooding. The only prevention for line breaks is routine maintenance checks. As it is a more difficult plumbing issue, it is better to refer to professional commercial plumbers who can diagnose and resolve the problem immediately.

There you have it: the 5 problems most commercial properties face and how to solve them. Clogged drains, leaks, temperature, dirty water, and line breaks are common issues that we’ve helped solve in our 50 years of plumbing expertise. We’ve seen how much these problems can impact operations, costs, and energy, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us right away when you see any of these issues occurring.

For more information on plumbing maintenance and emergency plumbing services, call Brothers Plumbing at 800-742-1108 across the GTA region, or contact us here.