Commercial Plumbing Blog | Action Plumbing

6 Common Commercial Plumbing Problems and How to Avoid Them

August 23, 2021 By Action Plumbing

Don’t let common commercial plumbing problems get in the way of your business. Owning your own business is extremely rewarding for many entrepreneurs, especially when your hard work pays off. But along with success also comes the complications of running the day-to-day operations, which is normally a massive responsibility. You need everything to be working as efficiently as possible, but when unexpected commercial plumbing problems strike, they can leave you feeling hopeless and overwhelmed.

The good news is that you can help prevent 7 common commercial plumbing problems if you know what to look for and what to expect.

Toilet Clogs

If you offer public restroom facilities to your customers, this issue is definitely at the top of the list. Unfortunately, not all patrons treat public bathrooms the way they should be treated. Most public restrooms are built to withstand heavier usage compared to residential restrooms, but never-the-less, toilet clogs can still be a problem.

To avoid serious toilet clogs, be sure to have members of your team cleaning your public restrooms regularly. A small clog is easy to fix on your own with a plunger, but if it’s left unattended it can quickly turn into a large clog that requires the help of a commercial plumber like Action Plumbing to snake the drain.

Faucet Leaks

Although a faucet leak may seem like a minor commercial plumbing problem, it can lead to serious problems down the road if it isn’t addressed. Not only do leaks leave standing water which can seriously damage your property, but they can also cost your business thousands of dollars a year in water bills.

If you or a staff member notice even a small leak and you can’t eliminate it, reaching out to a professional service like Action Plumbing can save you a lot of money in the long run by protecting you from structural damage and astronomical water bills.

Broken Fixtures

One of the most common issues with bathrooms is broken toilet handles, as many businesses still have older restroom fixtures that aren’t very reliable. It is very common for a toilet handle to break after a particular number of flushes depending on the manufacturer. Broken fixtures lead to clogs because patrons don’t have the ability to flush as needed. And as you know, small clogs lead to bigger clogs that require professional assistance.

In order to avoid the slippery slope of broken handles and clogs, many business owners choose to invest in hands-free systems which are designed to be more durable and longer-lasting than manual toilet handles.

Drain Clogs

Drain clogs are often an issue in restrooms with heavy foot traffic, and although they may also seem like a minor inconvenience, these drain clogs can result in pipe blockages. Not only can this cause damaging bathroom flooding and pipe damage, it’s also a significant inconvenience for your patrons.

Checking restrooms regularly for any signs of clogged drains (like lingering debris or paper towels) can be one of the easiest ways to keep your sinks clog-free.

Odors

An unpleasant smell is usually a sign of a serious underlying problem, which can likely involve a sewer blockage. If you’ve cleaned your facilities thoroughly and are still experience sewer odors, you should contact a commercial plumbing professional like Action Plumbing to determine where the blockage is and get it fixed as soon as possible.

Temperature Issues

Hot water on demand is important for all commercial businesses, and if you experience a sudden shortage of hot water, your hot water heater is often part of the problem.

Action Plumbing offers hot water heater inspection services to determine the cause of your hot water heater malfunction so you can keep the hot water flowing in your business when you need it.

Do you have any other commercial plumbing problems not listed above? Contact us today to find out what Action Plumbing can do to make sure your plumbing issues are solved quickly and efficiently so you are always open and ready for business!

Tips to Avoid Summer Plumbing Problems

July 14, 2021 By Action Plumbing

Even though we don’t have to worry about frozen pipes in the summer, that doesn’t mean your plumbing is A-OK. In fact, the warm weather brings its own problems, and it’s important you know how to prevent them. From clogged toilets to flooded basements, there’s a lot you can do to keep your plumbing running smoothly.

Here are a few tips to avoid summer plumbing problems from the experts at Action Plumbing:

Be Careful With What is Flushed

A problem-free toilet is a key to keeping things on track. But with customers flushing the wrong items to kids fooling around, clogged toilets are likely to occur this time of year.

Remember to tell your customers not to flush down anything that could plug up the toilet such as feminine hygiene products or large wads of paper. If your toilet does get clogged, make sure there’s enough water in the bowl to plunge it. Close the toilet flapper so the water doesn’t overflow and don’t flush the toilet until the clog begins to loosen up. If you’re still not having success, contact Action Plumbing right away.

Avoid Tree Roots

There’s a good reason experts recommend that trees or plants with a strong root system be planted a safe distance away from your home’s foundation. Even the slightest leak in your sewer line give roots an opportunity to find the water they so desperately crave, and the room to grow and block up pipes.

If you have very slow drains, or your toilet is backing up into your shower or bathtub, chances are a tree or plant root may be causing a blockage in your sewer line.

Replace Washing Machine Hoses

Inspect your washing machine hoses for leaks, cracks, or bulges. Remember, now that your family is spending more time at home, you likely have more laundry to do, which adds extra stress on both you and your washing machine!

A normal washing machine lasts only about 5 years, so replacing your hoses regularly could be the most important thing you do to prevent a flooded basement. Be on the lookout for leaks behind your machine and always make sure that the connection to your water supply pipes is snug.

Problems With Stormy Weather

With hot, humid days comes powerful storms. Which means a flooded basement could easily be in your future. So it’s time to check your sump pump and make sure there are no issues.

Here are some signs to watch out for on a malfunctioning pump:

You notice a mildewy, must order coming from the pump
The float switch is stuck
When it’s working, it makes a loud, obnoxious noise
It just won’t turn on no matter what you do

Since your sump pump keeps the water out of your basement, you’re going to need it checked ASAP.

If you have any additional tips to avoid summer plumbing problems, we’re here to help! Contact Action Plumbing today for all your residential and commercial plumbing needs.

How to Find the Best Commercial Plumber

June 14, 2021 By Action Plumbing

When your plumbing is malfunctioning, it’s going to affect your business negatively. Choosing the right commercial plumber is essential to keep your business running smoothly. In today’s post, we will discuss a few ways you can select the best plumber for your business.

Choose Plumbers with Commercial Experience

While you can attempt to hire a residential plumber to service your business, it can be a huge mistake to do so. Unless the residential plumber has proven experience servicing commercial businesses, the plumber will likely make beginner mistakes that will set your plumbing back. Commercial entities must adhere to specific building codes to avoid fines and other penalties and hiring a plumber who is unfamiliar to these standards can be extremely risky.

Choose Plumbers That Are Fast and Reliable

In the event of an emergency, you need immediate service to handle whatever problem you’re facing. Time is a crucial asset in business, and if you’re plumbing is down for a significant period, it can spawn an array of different problems. You need a commercial plumbing company that can respond at any time of day and can quickly arrive to the scene so that you can remedy the problem as quickly as possible.

Choose Plumbers That Can Handle Installations and Repairs

Some plumbing companies don’t have the versatility to handle both installation and repairs. For your business, it’s best to work with companies that have a wide range of experience providing different services. When you have a plumbing issue, you want to be sure that your plumber can take care of it, and that you won’t need to call another company to fix the issue.

Choose Plumbers That Are Insured and Bonded

If a plumber makes a vital mistake, you want to be protected. If your plumber is not insured and certified, you are leaving your business vulnerable, and you can lose money if there is a problem. Certified plumbers are more experienced, more reliable, and can be trusted to handle large scale commercial jobs and projects. Imagine starting a new construction project while using an untrustworthy plumbing company to handle the plumbing line installations—it can create a longstanding disaster that can be costly to fix.

Choose the Best Commercial Plumber with a Proven Track Record

Commercial plumbing systems have more lines, pipes, appliances, drains than normal residential systems, and it’s crucial that you hire a plumbing company that can handle it. When looking at potential plumbing companies to hire, don’t just choose the first one that meets your eye; choose companies based on their track record in your community. You can find this by searching for honest online reviews of the business, asking around, and talking to the company to gauge its experience in the industry.

To find out more about Action Plumbing’s expert commercial plumbing services and how we can help you avoid costly issues, contact us today!

How to Properly Clean a Sewer Ejection System for Your Business

May 14, 2021 By Action Plumbing

Your business’ sewage ejector pump gathers all the waste from your plumbing fixtures. Maintaining this pump is essential for the overall health of the plumbing system. But what if something goes wrong?

More often than not, you are going to want to contact a sewer ejector cleaning professional to get the job done right. However, there are a few things you can do to make sure your sewer ejection system remains clean and running properly.

Follow these three simple tips can actually prolong the life of your system.

Cleaning Tips for a Commercial Sewer Ejection System

Use a Trash Can

Flushing things like feminine products or wipes don’t seem like a big deal, but it can actually cause a ton of problems on your plumbing – such as a backup. Once a backup happens, portions of your interior plumbing are often destroyed and need to be replaced. To avoid any temptation it might be best to keep a small waste bin near the toilets so your customers and employees have somewhere to throw their waste.

Improve the Health of Your System

You don’t have to be a professional to take some precautions and maintain your pump. By simply flushing lemon juice down your toilets, you can significantly improve the health of your plumbing system by breaking up any existing clogs and cleaning out your pump. It can also help with eliminating any odors that sit in the grinder between flushes.

Smell the Vents

With sewer ejector pumps there will be a local vent installed that connects to the pit located on the outside of your home. If you feel there might be an issue, start by blocking the vent. This will trap any odors in the pit.

If you find there is an odor, call your plumber right away. Even if you feel something might be off with your plumbing it’s best to have it inspected before it can become a real problem. A professional plumber can resolve most issues before they become a bigger issue. Whether you’re having plumbing issues with your drains, need to fix a pipe that bursts, finding the right commercial plumber is the key to getting the job done right.

When is it Time to Contact a Commercial Plumbing Professional?

When was the last time you had your business’ system looked over? It is something that can easily be forgotten until a disaster happens – like a backup. Having a plumber check on your system annually can prevent an emergency visit that is usually costly. If your plumber finds any issues, they can get down deep in your system and remove anything that you might not have been able to clean out by yourself.

Does your business need sewer ejector cleaning services? Call Action Plumbing. Our team of trusted professionals can handle all of your commercial plumbing needs.

How to Prevent Common Commercial Plumbing Problems

April 15, 2021 By Action Plumbing

As a business owner, you have a full plate, and even a simple plumbing issue can be a thorn in your side. When the plumbing fails, the business can experience downtime. With downtime comes lost revenue caused by unforeseen commercial plumbing problems. And not only is there lost revenue—the business will need to pay hefty repair costs to get the issue fixed.

The best remedy is prevention, and in today’s post, we’re going to highlight the most common plumbing problems and how you can prevent them.

Drainage Leaks

Leaks can be sneaky. Leaks from pipes and other fixtures can often go unnoticed, spawning unwanted mold that can be difficult to remove. Rot and mold are health hazards and can leave your business liable if employees or customers become ill. The best way to prevent long-term water damage is to schedule regular maintenance checkups with a professional plumbing company that knows what to look for. An experienced plumber can offer in-depth pipe leak testing and sewer leak detection services.

Clogged Drains

Clogged drains can be a recurrent problem for businesses—especially restaurants that frequently use kitchen sinks. A clogged drain can lead to damaged pipes, which can be costly to fix and replace. To avoid the clogged drain issue, follow these tips:

Avoid putting certain types of foods down the drain. Foods that are difficult to break down (e.g. eggshells, coffee grounds, etc.) can lead to clogged drains.
Don’t dispose of grease in the sink. If grease is poured into a drain, it is likely to congeal, which can block the pathways in the drainage system. It’s best to put the grease in a container and dispose of it in an actual garbage can.
Clean drain stoppers on a regular basis. Stray hairs, soap residue, and small particles can accumulate and clog the drain. Make a habit of consistently checking to ensure that the drain is clean.

Hot Water Supply Failure

Commercial hot water supply systems are far more complicated than residential systems, and they must adhere to strict licensing guidelines and board regulations. When dealing with heat loss, it’s best to immediately call a commercial plumber to fix the issue. You may need to add insulation, replace a malfunctioning thermostat, or completely replace the water heating unit. A commercial plumber will be able to make recommendations on the best course of action. To prevent future water heater issues, it’s best to schedule regular maintenance checks to ensure that the system is in good health and to proactively make minor repairs.

Clogged Toilets and Other Commercial Plumbing Problems

A clogged toilet can create an uncomfortable work environment for your employees, and it can frustrate customers who visit your business. It’s quite easy for toilets to get clogged, but the best way to take care of the issue quickly is to have your employees check the restrooms on a consistent basis. Again, we recommend that you schedule regular maintenance checkups to ensure that your plumbing fixtures are in good health. A simple checkup can save you from spending a great deal of money in the long term because you will be able to address problems before they worsen.

To find out more about how to prevent common commercial plumbing problems or to schedule our expert preventative maintenance services, give us a contact Action Plumbing today!