5 of the Most Common Commercial Drainage Problems
Commercial drainage can be rife with all sorts of undetected damages and faults that can lead to the disruption of your business and financial loss. Here are the most common drainage disruptions that a business can experience.
Clogged toilets
It comes as no surprise that the toilet on your business’s property can be a hotspot for hidden damages or faults. Domestic toilets are often the biggest source of drainage issues due to frequent use and foreign objects such as baby wipes, nappies, sanitary towels and facial tissues being wrongly flushed away, so it makes sense that a highly used commercial toilet should be a cause for concern. A strong indicator that your toilet is blocked is the rising of water to the rim of the toilet when it is flushed.
For more information on how a drainage problem on your property can affect the finances of your business, and the importance of keeping on top of your drainage maintenance, take a look at our previous article; Why a Commercial Drain Survey Could Save Your Business Money.
Shower traps and bath plugs
If your business is in the hospitality, leisure or care industries, your bathroom is at risk. The high usage of your shower and bathing facilities means that the pipes are prone to clogging. Whether it’s from toothpaste, soap, general grime, or more likely, hair, your facilities can become clogged particularly quickly. As soon as you notice signs of this, such as slow draining showers and baths, you should act to rectify the issue before there is a more serious problem.
Kitchen sinks
If you’re in the catering industry, or your kitchen’s facilities see a high level of use, your sink can quickly become blocked. Food waste, soap, oil and fat can make its way down your drain much more frequently than it would in a domestic kitchen and can seriously clog the pipes. To prevent this, try to reduce the amount of waste your staff dispose of down the drain, and if you do notice a strange smell emitting from your sink or notice your sink is draining slower than usual, contact a professional.
Odour trap
This is a slightly more obscure one, and all businesses are at risk of this drain becoming blocked or damaged. Usually found in the utility room, cellar, garage or driveway of business premises, but may also occasionally be located in old bathrooms and patios, these odour traps are part of drains that are used to prevent flooding. The trap prevents the odours from stagnant water from rising into the property, but if this drain was to become blocked by debris, leaves, root ingress or the like, the water can back-up and overflow into your property.
Water pressure
Low water pressure can be caused by a burst pipe or a leak. Blockages and deposits in the pipes can also affect the water pressure in the system. Which is why cleaning your pipes regularly is recommended. To properly diagnose and fix the problem, you need to contact expert drainage engineers.
How do I keep on top of my company’s drainage issues?
To avoid any of the drainage issues we’ve mentioned here in this article and ensure that your drains are functioning properly at all times, invest in a commercial CCTV drain survey. A very thin, flexible rod will be inserted through the length of your drains to look for signs of damage or developing blockages, allowing you to deal with potential faults before they turn into problems.
To find out whether the drainage on your business’s premises is hindered in any way, get in touch with Express Drainage Surveys to book your comprehensive CCTV survey. With our service, no corner of your property’s drainage will be left unchecked, guaranteeing a complete and accurate report of your sewers’ and drains’ conditions.
The sectors we’re experienced in working with are:
- Travel companies
- Property management firms
- Supermarkets
- Catering
- Insurers and brokers
- Leisure facilities
- Hotels
- Schools
- & more