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As every company owner knows, downtime in your business equals loss of income. For this reason, many business owners have a variety of checks and balances in place to ensure as little downtime occurs as possible.
One of the many checks business owners should do regularly is the state of their commercial property’s plumbing. The commercial plumbers Melbourne businesses can have on call can easily do regular inspections to identify when plumbing might need an upgrade.
Watch Out for the Upgrade Signals Your Plumbing’s Giving You
When it comes to plumbing, there are usually small signs that indicate the systems need an upgrade or replacement. Often, we choose to ignore these subtle signs because they appear in the form of small leaks or the occasional funny sound that don’t seem like a problem at first.
Ignoring these signs could however end up costing you a great deal of money and potential loss of business while repairs are ongoing. Read on to find out what plumbing signs you shouldn’t ignore.
Bad Smells
Foul smells emanating from your plumbing fixtures can be a sure way to hamper business and shouldn’t be ignored. Since there are several reasons why the plumbing could be producing bad odours it’s important to get to the bottom of it.
A commercial plumber will be able to thoroughly investigate sewer lines to check for leaks or blockages. It could be resulting from damaged pipes that need replacing or upgrading.
Leaking Toilets
While it’s true that commercial plumbing should be able to sustain more usage than residential structures, there’s always the possibility of leaks or blockages. Toilets in rest rooms are used by higher volumes of customers and employees and therefore are at higher risk of blockages.
Unfortunately, people often don’t show the same regard for public or commercial toilets as they would for the ones in their homes. It’s easy for toilets in commercial buildings to become blocked as a result of the items people flush. Ask the person who cleans the restrooms to notify you if they observe any leaks, no matter how small.
Low Water Pressure
Water pressure is important in buildings that are used as restaurants or even car wash facilities. A reduction in water pressure in one of these companies can severely hamper the day-to-day flow of business.
The clearest indication of clogged pipes is a reduction in water pressure. Often these can go unnoticed because the decrease in water pressure happens gradually. If the problem is quite severe, you’ll see a sudden pressure drop. When this happens, it’s a sign of a broken or burst pipe somewhere along the waterline.
This could happen when your plumbing system is old or the components have corroded over time. Your commercial plumber will be able to advise you about upgrading to a more durable plumbing system.
Water Stains on Building Ceilings or Walls
Brown spots or marks on the walls or ceilings of your building are a clear indication of a more serious underlying problem. Water stains usually occur as a result of a leak in your piping system. Ignoring water stains could result in serious structural damages and costly repairs.
When you experience a problem of this magnitude, it’s advisable to ask your commercial plumber for a quotation to replace an old plumbing system as opposed to paying for a repair job which might not be a permanent solution. This is particularly relevant in older buildings where the plumbing components have never been upgraded.
Cooling Systems Not Functioning as Required
Many businesses rely on air conditioning units to provide their customers with a cool and breezy environment. When the air conditioning unit fails to blow out cool air it could be an indication that filters need to be changed.
It could also be a sign that it’s time to upgrade either all or some of the plumbing components. Speak to your commercial plumber for a recommendation about the best size and type of system needed for your building requirements.
Slow Drainage
Slow drainage happens when the drain is blocked somewhere along the waterline. If the blockage is close to the drain surface you might be able to deal with it by using an over-the-counter liquid drain cleaner. However, if the blockage is further down the pipeline, regular products often won’t get the job done. Your commercial plumber will then have to use more invasive means to remove the blockage. Depending on where the blockage or pipe is situated, there’s no guarantee it won’t affect your day-to-day business.
Conclusion
Don’t ignore the signs your plumbing structures are giving you. Speak to your commercial plumber about the possibility of doing upgrades as opposed to continuous repairs. In the long run, upgrading your plumbing components and structures to accommodate your business requirements will be better for your pocket and your customers!