Running a successful restaurant in the Bay Area is not just about a great menu and good food. You also need to ensure a hygienic dining experience with a clean property that meets all compliance regulations. This means that your plumbing (we’re talking pipes, drains, and water lines that keep your kitchen running) must always be in excellent condition. Plumbing problems can seriously impact your business and your reputation, as well as health code violations that could lead to closure.
Here are the top five most common plumbing problems that can disrupt restaurants in the Bay Area, the impact, and how to either prevent or fix the issues. If you have not been focusing on plumbing maintenance for restaurants yet, you should.
Grease Trap Overflows
The Bay Area has a lot of good food to offer, but it typically also means a lot of grease and fat. Grease traps in the kitchen are meant to remove fats, oils, and grease from your plumbing system. But if these traps are not cleaned regularly, they will clog and overflow.
Impact:
- Foul odors in the kitchen or dining area
- Back-ups in drains
- Health code violations
Solution:
Schedule a regular cleaning, preferably with a commercial plumbing service. They can also conduct a monthly inspection of your grease traps. For continued maintenance, you must avoid dumping grease down the drain and use dedicated grease bins instead.
Pro Tip: Still experiencing backups despite regular cleaning? You may need to get a larger grease trap. Ask a professional plumber for the best fit.
Clogged or Slow Drains
Clogged drains or blocked pipes are a constant threat in busy restaurants. Food matter, grease, all kinds of foreign matter, and even cleaning supplies can accumulate quickly.
Impact:
- Trouble with washing produce or dishes
- Unsanitary water pooling
- Bad smells that ruin customer experience
Solution:
Make sure that deep drain cleaning is a part of your regular plumbing maintenance. But also avoid chemical drain cleaners, as most of them corrode your plumbing over time. A better idea is to employ professional snaking or hydrojetting from a commercial plumbing services provider.
Pro Tip: Use drain screens to catch solids and train your staff to dispose of waste the right way.
Leaky Faucets and Fixtures
Do not ignore a leaking tap or faucet, no matter how small it may be. In a restaurant, especially where water is used in large amounts, even a small drip could waste gallons of water daily. This is bad for the environment and could be costly, too. Leaky taps could also lead to slippery surfaces and mold build-up.
Impact:
- Skyrocketing water bills
- Safety hazards
- Failed health inspections
Solution:
Inspect your plumbing fixtures every week. Make sure to replace washers, gaskets, or even the entire fixture if needed. If your restaurant is busy, you might want to upgrade to commercial-grade fixtures.
Pro Tip: Ask your local commercial plumbing services company for help.
Water Heater Problems
Picture a Friday evening during dinner service, and there is no hot water. For restaurants, hot water is not a want; it is necessary for food safety and proper sanitation. Water heaters that are under strain and keep breaking down are one of the biggest plumbing issues that restaurants face.
Impact:
- Poor hygiene
- Downtime or forced closures
- Negative online reviews and distrust from customers
Solution:
Get your water heater routinely checked and flushed to remove sediment buildup. If you have an undersized or an old unit, a commercial plumber can recommend an energy-efficient option to replace your existing unit.
Pro Tip: If you are really going to be economical, think about tankless water heaters that will allow consistent, on-demand, hot water for a busy kitchen.
Obstructed Drainage
Drainage line problems can be the worst nightmare for any restaurant to deal with. Because of aging infrastructure and heavy usage, the Bay Area is susceptible to drainage line backups more than you’d think. If you are experiencing slow drainage, bubbling toilets, or restroom odors, then you may have a drainage line in distress.
Impact:
- Health code violations and possible closure
- Severe damage to the flooring or walls
- Loss of business during repairs
Solution:
Preventative camera inspections and maintenance are key. Tree roots, grease and waste accumulation, and stubborn foreign objects are common problems that could be causing your drainage line backups. Commercial plumbing services can quickly diagnose and clear out your lines, often utilizing trenchless technology to minimize your downtime.
Pro Tip: Add sewer line inspections to your plumbing maintenance checklist for restaurants each year, especially if your restaurant is in an older building.
Why You Need Professional Commercial Plumbing Services
The fact is, restaurant plumbing problems can quickly compound. What may start as a mildly slow drain can end with a health inspector knocking at your door. A DIY fix or quick patch is only a temporary fix and won’t help you stay compliant or make your business sustainable in the long term.
Commercial plumbing services professionals know what it’s like to handle the pace and pressure of a restaurant. They will work around your hours, give timely diagnostics, and provide code-compliant solutions that will have you cooking without interruption. From emergency repairs to long-term plumbing maintenance for restaurants, having a plumber you can trust is a good investment in your restaurant’s successful operation.
Call a Professional Commercial Plumber Near You
Being a restaurant owner is a lot of work. You don’t need plumbing problems adding to your stress. If you know what plumbing problems can occur, you can proactively stop a disaster and keep things running smoothly.
There are many restaurants in the Bay Area. One leaky sink or a clogged drain should not ruin your credibility as a safe place to eat and send your customers to the competition. Hire a commercial plumbing services company that knows the nuances of restaurant plumbing. This way, you can prevent upset guests or health code violations.
Your guests, your staff, and your bottom line will thank you.