Are you a property or facility manager? If so, dealing with the plumbing will be a big part of your job, but you already knew that. Technically, the plumbing is made up all of the building’s pipes and fixtures, such as the faucets that distribute water throughout the building and remove the wastewater.
The sewers and water mains are not considered the actual plumbing. Instead, it’s the parts that are a part of the building that is the “plumbing.” Generally, the plumbing pipes in a commercial building will be made out of copper, brass, or stainless steel, but plastic is becoming increasingly common.
Inside of a commercial building there are three inter-connected systems, which include the water supply lines, the wastewater drain lines, and finally the vents. The wastewater lines rely on the vents and vice versa; this is known as the “DMV system.” The vents are critical because they release the toxic gasses that develop inside the drains.
When you’re managing a commercial building, you can’t always control how people treat the plumbing. For instance, people who work in the building or even visitors may flush the “wrong things” down the toilet, which eventually leads to a major blockage. When a clog develops, you have to take immediate action to repair it.
Warning Signs to Watch Out for
You want to keep an eye on all of the sink drains and toilets in the building. As soon as you notice a sink that’s draining slowly or a slow-draining shower or bathtub, you have a plumbing problem. In addition, if the toilets are constantly clogging or if one toilet, in particular, is susceptible to clogs, then that too is a sign of a clog.
Main Line Clogs vs. Pipe Issues
A slow-draining sink or shower drain could mean that the clog is in the pipes beneath the sink or shower drain. Or, there could be a much more serious problem. At this point, it’s important to determine the exact cause of the problem. If you ignore the issue for too long, it could lead to more damage and expense.
If your drains are draining too slowly, it could be a sign you have a mainline problem. Same goes for an overflowing toilet that won’t respond to enthusiastic plunging. If you can’t seem to fix the toilet, it could be a mainline issue.
The best way to get down to the root of the problem is to have a Kansas City plumber from A-1 Sewer & Septic Service Inc. take a close look at it. If necessary, we can perform a camera inspection to find out if there is a physical blockage, or if tree roots are to blame. In any case, we’ll ensure the job is done right and you can get your facility back up and running again!
For affordable plumbing across Shawnee & Johnson counties, contact us today!
