Looking up at tall commercial buildings on a rainy day in the city

4 Common Causes of Commercial Drain Blockages: What to Know

When commercial drains get blocked, it will bring along with it a flurry of problems that you don’t want to get caught up in. Other than mere problems, you will likely face costly repairs or replacements that can put a hole in your finances. This is why you need to catch commercial drain blockages early before things get worse.

There are different causes why commercial drains get blocked. In this article, we’ll talk about four common causes of commercial blocked drains:

1. Build-Up Of Debris, Grease, and Fat

Bacon frying in a pan
Fatty foods such as bacon leave behind a build-up of grease in your frying pan. Do not put this down your drain as it can cause serious plumbing issues.

These three elements are the most apparent causes of blocked commercial drains. The build-up of grease, fat, and debris will surely obstruct water flow between the drains and pipes. Also, despite the considerable time the council has spent to eliminate the problem of grease and fat in drainages, there remains to be an excessive amount of them in the pipes. Remember that fat and grease coats walls with a sticky coating, which clings to other debris. Over time, it accumulates and forms an impenetrable mass that causes a blockage.

2. Heavy Rainfall

Heavy rainfall can also cause blockages because a huge amount of drains are not designed to handle the excessive amounts of debris. These blocked drains can cause localized flooding that can damage properties, especially if it’s left for a prolonged period of time. If your commercial area recently experienced a heavy downpour, work with the experts at Top Tier Mechanical for a commercial plumbing inspection to ensure no underlying pipe problems.

3. Water Flow Issues

For water to get from one place to another, there should be sufficient gravity involved. In this case, pipes must be properly installed, and they should have adequate falls to guarantee continuous water flow. You can spot the early warning signs of bad water flow through slow draining water, gurgling sounds from flushed toilets, and nasty smells that come from drains and sinks.

4. Broken Pipes

Broken pipes will not allow water to flow freely. In some cases, they may even cause the pipe to collapse and block the drain entirely. The common reasons for blocked pipes are age or incorrect installation, and tree roots can also damage them.

Rest assured, even if you experience blocked commercial drains, it’s not the end of the world. Rather, there are simple remedies you can do to resolve the issues. For one, drain snaking is the simplest way to clear a blocked drain, which is where a drain snake or auger is used to remove blockages. However, if this doesn’t work, drain jetting may be the next best method to use.

Drain jetting uses highly pressurized water that can source the inside of commercial drains quickly and more efficiently. One of the best things about this method is that it only causes minimal disruption, which is why it is a preferred method in the hospitality industry.

Aside from these remedies, it’s essential to invest in professional drain cleaning and maintenance every three years. By doing so, you get to prevent drain blockages that may cause a lot of headaches and money in the future.

Conclusion

You don’t have to resolve your commercial drain issues all on your own. The best way to deal with this problem is to follow the tips mentioned above, and let a professional handle it if such remedies are ineffective. That way, you guarantee that you will get the best service that will remove blockages from your commercial pipes!

If you’re looking for industrial plumbing services in Chilliwack, Top Tier Mechanical has got your back. We specialize in commercial, industrial, and medical plumbing solutions, and we also offer competitive packages within the industry. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!

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