Top Commercial Plumbing Problems

3/3/2021 (Permalink)

Businesses and other commercial facilities experience leaks and clogs just like the rest of the world does. Though the pipes may be larger and the number of gallons flowing through the system greater, commercial facilities do experience water losses which in many cases can be much more extensive and costly. It can also sometimes be more difficult for business owners to diagnose problems with their plumbing as there are many more faucets, drains, pipes and other plumbing features compared to the average household. If you own a business or manage a commercial facility, here are the most common plumbing problems to keep an eye on:

1) Running Toilets

Everyone has came across a toilet that seems to always be running or even draining and filling at random intervals. Even when not visible to the eye, sometimes the quiet sound of water trickling can be heard coming from behind the toilet or inside the tank. One toilet doing this at your home is bad enough, but imagine a large business with 50 of them! If even a handful are running around the clock, you could be looking at increased water bills and a greater likelihood that something may fail with the toilet or plumbing in the future. Make sure to check the toilet components and call a commercial plumbing service if unsure. 

2) Silent Leaks

The scourge of large commercial facilities, silent leaks can be very hard to isolate or even notice in the first place. These are usually small to mid-sized leaks tucked somewhere below your building or inside you walls, and can go on for months before physical signs are seen. Make sure to keep a close eye on your water bill; unusual spikes or a gradual increase over time with no clear cause could be a sign that you have a leak somewhere in the system. Check those hard-to-see places yourself or call a plumber for a consultation!

3)Water Temperature Issues 

No one likes to have scalding-hot water blasted  onto their hands. Not many people like drinking warm water from a fountain, either. Water temperature problems can not only be an inconvenience to your workers or customers, but could even be dangerous in the case of water being too hot or far too cold. If you're experiencing fluctuating temperatures or insufficient heating, you may try flushing and cleaning your water heater to see if the issue resolves, and if not, plan to call a plumber to diagnose the problem. Scheduling routine maintenance is also a great idea. 

 4) Unpleasant Smells

Plumbing-related smells could be a large number of things. You may encounter a "musty" odor that could be indicative of mold or mildew (and most likely a leak), a similar smell related to standing stagnate water, or even a sewer smell coming from the bathroom or even other parts of the building. The sewer smell would rank as most concerning as it may be a sign there is a clog somewhere in the main line which could lead to a backup. If you're walking though your building and notice any new or strange odor, make sure to pay attention and call a plumber for an inspection. 

5) Low or High Water Pressure

Another problem that seems more prevalent than it needs to be, water pressure issues can affect a number of things and leave you more likely to experience a water loss. Also, if your business relies on water heavily for day-to-day operations, a drop in water pressure could even lead to a halt of production until the problem is addressed. Keep an eye on any changes and don't wait until the issue has become worse.

As always, if your business or commercial facility has experienced a water loss, please do not wait to call SERVPRO of Bend today for a consultation. From the smallest home to largest business, we are here to assist anytime, day or night, with any size disaster.