Commercial buildings must run smoothly because even the slightest disruption impacts business and commercial operations. Employees should be able to work in a safe and hygienic environment. An important, but often overlooked, aspect of an efficient commercial building is its plumbing system. Imagine the chaos if a toilet in the office backs up? Or you have important clients coming to your office, and a broken sewer line is making your whole floor stink?
If the plumbing system of an office building malfunctions or fails to work efficiently, it’s not just an inconvenience. It damages your business and reputation.
So before plumbing problems get out of hand and mushroom into a full-scale emergency that throws your business operations out of whack, you need to hire experienced commercial plumbers for regular commercial plumbing maintenance. An efficient plumbing system in your commercial space is a business safeguard that protects your property, reputation, and operations.
When Plumbing Issues Escalate?
“I will get to it later”. That’s a favorite phrase of most building managers. Facility managers, especially those taking care of large commercial buildings, have a lot on their hands. They prioritize glaring issues and forget about smaller repairs until they escalate into an emergency. A dripping faucet may not seem as urgent as a faulty HVAC in the conference room.
If only plumbing problems would go away on their own. That leaking tap could have a cracked pipe behind it, and within weeks, the small leak would have turned into a burst pipe spraying water all over the office restroom. This could mean closing the restroom for a few days, inconveniencing everyone on that floor.
And it’s not just the inconvenience. The price of neglected commercial plumbing maintenance in commercial buildings goes well beyond that.
Wastage and High Utility Bills
We cannot emphasize this fact enough. Even a small leak can waste more than 3000 gallons of water in just one year. And we’re talking about a single home. For commercial spaces, the wastage magnifies, as does the cost involved. All that wasted water runs up your water bill drastically. So what should you do? Just run a quick search for “commercial plumbers near me” and hire an experienced plumber for regular inspections that will ensure you detect plumbing issues before they escalate.
Damage to Property
The thing with plumbing problems is that it’s easy for water to find its way through walls or soak through ceilings. And these damp spots or patches may not be visible easily, especially if they are hidden behind false ceilings or office storage. Persistent moisture or hidden leaks can damage drywall and cause structural damage, form mold and damage health, and cause electrical hazards.
Disrupted Operations
While small plumbing issues can be fixed quickly, something like a burst pipe, an overflowing toilet, or a flooded washroom can disrupt operations and interrupt business for several hours, or even days. Such disturbances also affect employee productivity.
Health and Hygiene Compliance
Imagine you’re enjoying a nice meal in a great restaurant, and commotion breaks out over a backed-up toilet. You hear people grumbling about sewage spilling onto the restroom’s floor. Wouldn’t you cringe at the thought of going there again? Plumbing problems in the service business, especially, can lead to non-compliance and health code violations.
Insurance Problems
If your commercial building has suffered structural damage due to faulty plumbing that you neglected to get fixed, chances are that your insurance claim will be denied. Insurance firms are sticklers for preventive maintenance, and will ask you for evidence that you’ve hired professional commercial plumbers to regularly inspect your plumbing and keep it compliant.
Clear Signs of Commercial Plumbing Maintenance Neglect
If you know what signs to watch out for, it becomes easier to prevent plumbing problems. Here’s a list of some of the most common red flags that indicate your commercial property could be heading towards a plumbing disaster:
- Sluggish water in drains
- Unpleasant odors near restrooms
- Wet patches on walls and/or ceilings
- Changing water pressure in faucets
- Unexplained spike in water bill
- Frequently backed-up drains or toilets
If any of this sounds familiar, you could be in troubled waters soon. Pun intended. You need to call a commercial plumbing service for an inspection.
What Should Be the Frequency of Commercial Plumbing Maintenance Inspections?
The size of the building, the kind of business, and the level of usage or human traffic directly impact the frequency of inspections needed. Here’s what we recommend:
- Monthly walkthroughs by facility managers in high-usage zones
- Quarterly drain cleaning to prevent or reduce buildup and stop possible clogging
- Water heater maintenance twice a year
- A full inspection once a year
Why You Need a Reliable Plumbing Company
Hiring a plumbing company is the best way to ensure your commercial building has an efficient plumbing system that is smooth and compliant. But not all plumbing companies are experienced or equipped enough to handle the scale and complexity of commercial systems. Always hire a trusted commercial plumber who understands commercial-grade infrastructure to ensure that your plumbing system gets the care it deserves.
Albion Plumbing has a whole team of experienced and skilled plumbers who inspect your commercial property regularly and help with surprise disasters. We help extend the life of your plumbing system and fixtures, reduce compliance headaches, and improve water efficiency. Give us a call today!