What Are The Most Common Commercial Plumbing Repairs?
Commercial plumbing issues may feel like a major headache for your business, especially if you don’t know who to call. At Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric we have been in the industry for many years, and have experienced many of the common commercial plumbing issues, as well as the not so common issues – but we’ll leave that for another time.
Commercial plumbing requires expertise that differs from residential plumbing, the obvious being the size of the plumbing system. As obvious as this is, a commercial building’s plumbing cannot be treated the same as a residential home and although plumbing systems, toilets, and sinks experience relatively the same issues, they should be approached differently. We have a team of experienced plumbers offering plumbing services to suit your business.
Clogged Drains
Public restrooms in a commercial building are visited by an array of different people and it’s difficult to control what’s being dropped in the toilet. Clumps of paper towels and other contents can get trapped in the drains of a commercial building and escalate at a rapid pace. Small clogs will lead to bigger clogs that can affect the entire plumbing system. Clogs in a commercial building can be difficult to locate and need to be inspected by a professional plumber.
Toilet Issues
If your commercial building sees regular customers or guests as well as having multiple employees, it is expected that you’ll experience some common toilet issues.
Leakages
Dripping water from a faucet should not be ignored. Leaking faucets can cause a business to spend exorbitant amounts on water bills, not to mention wasting large amounts of water on an on-going basis. It is easy to notice a faucet leaking, but other leakages should be tracked and checked too.
Leaking pipes carrying huge amounts of water throughout a commercial building has the potential to not only waste water, but also damage the integrity of a building. If you notice a wet spot or a water puddle it could be a sign of leakages happening behind the structure of the building, like affecting the dry-wall. If not addressed, this can cause mold and structural damage to the building.
Running Toilets
A toilet that is constantly running wastes water and can wrack up a hefty bill for a commercial building. Running toilets can occur for a few reasons:
- The float ball may be malfunctioning and preventing the inlet valve from closing. The float ball rises as the tank fills up and closes the valve to stop the water from filling up. The water will continue to run if there is any misalignment or damage to the float ball.
- The flapper or the flush valve must seal completely once the toilet is flushed so that water does not leak. If the flapper is old and worn, it won’t seal correctly.
- The seal between the bowl and the tank is called the gasket. If the gasket is worn, water will continue to run from the bowl to the tank.
If the refill tube malfunctions, you will hear periods of running water. The top of the refill tube should always be above the water level.
Clogged Toilets
Because commercial toilets are used by a variety of people, they can sometimes get a lot of abuse. Clogged toilets can be a result of foreign objects getting flushed down the drain, constant usage as well as unnoticed issues that build up over time. A clogged toilet will need to be cleared by a professional commercial plumber.
Damaged Pipes
A commercial building has more plumbing pipes than a usual residential home. These pipes carry a lot of water throughout a building and through general wear-and-tear, can become worn. Pipes carrying the amount of water required for a commercial building can experience bursting, splitting, or cracking. It is essential to take care of any signs that may be noticed as soon as they are discovered. Damaged piping can become an extensive project for a commercial building due to the complexity and extent of the plumbing system.
Bad Odors
Sewage smells in a commercial building can be caused by a few things:
- Dry pipes will cause constant clogging and the development of bad smells.
- Any obstruction in the septic line or the sewer will cause a bad smell in the building. This can cause damage to the flooring should a serious backwash occur, and even damage the contents in the building. It is the first sign that there is a blockage and therefore a sewer build up somewhere in the piping.
- Bad smells could be a result of the gases caused by trapped debris in the plumbing vents. The breakdown of this debris releases gases that cannot escape and then seep out into the building. This is unhygienic and will affect the health and safety of your building code, so get this checked out as soon as you start to notice any strange smells coming through.
Commercial Plumbing In South Florida
Some commercial plumbing issues that may also need to be addressed include low water pressure, water temperature problems, and broken toilet components. If you’re experiencing any of these plumbing issues in your building, you probably require our commercial plumbing services; get in contact with Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric. We serve the greater South Florida area and are available for emergency services when your plumbing catches you off-guard. You can contact us at 1-800-475-1504.
