6 Common Plumbing Problems in Commercial Buildings and How to Prevent Them

Pipe and clogs have long gone hand in hand, and this can be a serious problem in many commercial buildings. However, it is not the only issue faced by building owners.

Several issues are actually more common than most people realize, and when ignored or go undetected, they can become very costly to repair. In this article, we will address six everyday plumbing problems in commercial buildings and how to avoid them.

1. The common clog

Clogs can form for a number of different reasons, and in residential properties, they can be relatively straightforward to deal with.

When it comes to commercial buildings, the clogs may be the same, but there are a lot more clogs that can happen simultaneously and present in more costly ways.

Organic matter such as food waste in the kitchen and bathrooms, incorrectly disposed of items in toilets, and grease and oils poured into drains via sinks can all bind together to form that dreaded clog.

Ensuring that your staff and customers are aware of the proper disposal methods by using posters and email communication can decrease the probability, but this will not fully eliminate the clog.

Employing a plumbing service that can regularly perform drain cleaning will help to flush away the clogs before they have much of a chance to fully form and block the pipes helps to go the extra mile in preventative maintenance.

Indeed, drain cleaning in Toronto is something that should be done often, especially in larger buildings where there are a lot more people present on a daily basis.

2. Leaky pipes

The ominous dripping sound that haunts your workspace should not be ignored. This is the sound of leaky pipes, increased water bills, and a countdown to a burst pipe that can lead to flooding.

Many leaky pipes unfortunately go unnoticed until it is too late. Often, they are seen via large dark stains becoming visible in ceiling tiles and walls. If you find puddles on the floor or experience a sudden shower with the water crashing through the ceiling, these are also signs of a leaking or broken pipe.

Leaky pipes can happen for many reasons, and it is good advice to have someone come in and check all the accessible pipes often. Damaged pipes due to erosion, poor installation, or cheap material choice can lead to leaks.

Any pipes that have not been properly insulated and are exposed to the dramatic weather changes that can happen in Canadian winters may also lead to the pipes expanding and shrinking, and therefore bursting.

Regular maintenance, again, can go a long way to prevent leaks. When issues are detected early, your plumber can work with you to repair the problem before it becomes an even bigger one.

3. Constant cold water

The water heater hidden away in the basement of a building is often overlooked as part of the plumbing system. However, it is a vital piece that provides hot water to all areas of the building.

If this part of the system fails, then the entire building will go without hot water, and you may even find flooding in the basement.

A visual inspection done by the onsite maintenance personnel is just not enough when it comes to a water heater. They need to be drained and cleared of the debris that has collected and settled on the bottom. The lines need to be bled, and the pressure gauges checked.

Your professional plumber can take care of this maintenance task and ensure that your heater works without failure for as long as the expected life of the heater, if not longer.

4. Toilet issues

Do you find that the toilets in your building are taking forever to fill after being flushed? Is there water on the floor and around the base? Perhaps you can hear gurgling sounds coming from the toilet as it refills? Well, none of this is normal and should be checked.

It may be that the flapper valve in the cistern needs replacing, which is easy enough for the building maintenance personnel to fix. However, other issues will require a specialist in the field.

5. Foul odours

Toilets and bathrooms should not smell bad. Even kitchen sinks and common areas should have a scent of freshness.

If you have a lingering smell that’s foul, sulfurous, and rotten, then you may have a sewer line issue. Sewer lines can experience backing-up problems that mean they flow back inside the building.

This issue is typically caused by large tree roots from outside penetrating into the underground pipelines that lead to and from the property.

A yearly scoping of the underground lines will help you to track the progress of tree roots and allow you to remove them before they cause back-ups and a real breakdown.

6. Poorly maintained appliances and drains

Anything that has water flowing into it is considered part of the plumbing system. If one piece of the network fails, then it can pull down the rest of the system faster than a blink of an eye.

Taps, toilets, drains, and dishwashers are all connected via the plumbing and can have serious consequences if they fail, leading to costly repairs and replacements. Preventative maintenance is key, and all appliances should be inspected regularly for any signs of wear and tear.

Contact Brothers Plumbing for Professional Drain Cleaning in Toronto

For over 50 years, Brothers Plumbing has been proudly servicing the businesses and residences of Toronto and the GTA. Our comprehensive plumbing services include everything from preventative maintenance to emergency call-outs.

You can visit us online and book your free consultation, and then your first preventative maintenance inspection. Get your pipes cleaned and flushed, thus reducing the risk of clogs and line breaks.

For expert drain cleaning in Toronto, you can call us at 647-247-2230 and speak to a professional who is ready to serve your commercial business plumbing needs today!