When your commercial kitchen needs a new drain or two, it’s imperative that you select and install the right type of drain for the volume of liquid waste your kitchen generates. To do that, you’ll likely want expert advice from a drain cleaning specialist or a plumber regarding the best type of drain assembly for your needs. However, it’s important that you, as a business owner or manager, understand what to look for in a drain too.
In this blog, you’ll find tips on selecting various types of commercial kitchen drain assemblies, as well as helpful installation advice from the drain cleaning pros at Drain Blaster Bill’s in Stillwater, Minnesota.
Tips for Selecting a Commercial Drain Assembly for Kitchen Sinks
First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure that any drain assemblies you’re considering for your kitchen meet your local plumbing code. Since the health of the public is at stake anytime kitchen equipment is involved — and yes, kitchen equipment does include your drains — local health codes may also play role in the type of drain your kitchen is allowed to use.
If you’re unfamiliar with local plumbing code requirements or health code requirements for commercial kitchen sink drains, brush up on those guidelines before you start shopping around for drains. Once you know the stipulations you must heed, you’ll need to consider the following factors when choosing a drain:
Grease Interception
Any discharge area, whether it’s direct or indirect, that may produce grease should ideally have a grease interceptor that prevents oily materials from traveling into drains. Since greasy waste can coagulate inside a drain and force it to clog, it’s in your kitchen’s best interest to have measures in place to prevent grease-related blockages from forming. If you don’t have grease interceptors installed, you’ll end up calling for drain cleaning services far more often than is normal.
Safety Mechanisms
When you’re selecting a drain assembly for a commercial kitchen sink, safety mechanisms are essential. Anyone who uses the sink must be able to drain the water from it without reaching into the sink itself as there may be sharp objects such as knives inside. Choose a sink drain that features a twist handle attachment that both opens and closes the drain assembly to protect kitchen staff members’ safety.
Drain Size
Any older commercial kitchen sinks have three-inch drain openings while newer models tend to have 3.5-inch drain openings. When selecting your drain assembly, be sure you’ve measured and recorded the correct measurements, so you choose a drain that’s the appropriate size for your sink.
Tips for Selecting a Commercial Floor Drain Assembly
When selecting a floor drain assembly for your commercial kitchen, the most important factor you’ll need to consider is the capacity of the drain. It’s in your best interest to look for drains that have more capacity than your kitchen requires, just to ensure they’re able to smoothly discharge large quantities of fluid in the event something leaks inside the kitchen.
A floor drain assembly that has more capacity than you need will also be capable of accommodating debris buildup between commercial drain cleaning sessions, which you should be scheduling regularly.
Another important factor to consider is drain safety. Make sure that when you choose a drain, the surface of the drain strainer, as well as any channels or gullies, feature the same level of slip resistance as the surrounding kitchen floor surfaces. Floor drains should also be resistant to thermal shock, so they do not delaminate over time with exposure to hot liquids.
Installing Commercial Kitchen Drains: Tips for Best Performance
If you’re planning to tackle your own kitchen drain installation, be sure you’re very familiar with local health code and plumbing requirements. Ideally, however, you’ll want to hire a qualified and licensed plumber to perform this job. Commercial drain installation does require a specific skill set and the ability to identify potential issues with your kitchen’s plumbing system that may impact the drain’s performance.
Whether you perform your own drain installation or hire a professional for the job, here are some tips you can benefit from keeping in mind:
● Consider installing a cleanout to allow for easy access when your kitchen requires routine professional drain cleaning.
● After the drain installation is complete, be sure to perform a pressure test to check for potential leaks.
● After you install the drain(s), consider keeping a drain snake on hand, just in case you run into a sudden blockage during a rush. If you cannot reasonably bring in a drain cleaning specialist to break up the blockage during operating hours, you can use a drain snake to clear part of the clog. This will allow the drain to function semi-efficiently in a pinch. When you’re able, schedule a commercial water jetting appointment to fully remove the clog and restore optimal drain functionality.
If you want to keep your drains flowing smoothly all the time, check out How Often Is Commercial Drain Cleaning Necessary? for advice on scheduling routine cleaning appointments.
Contact Drain Blaster Bill for Comprehensive Commercial Drain Cleaning in the Twin Cities
Investing in routine commercial drain cleaning services is one of the most reliable ways to keep your commercial plumbing system functioning smoothly and efficiently. And when you need expert drain cleaners you can trust to do the job right, look no further than our team at Drain Blaster Bill’s Sewer & Drain Cleaning in Stillwater, Minnesota. We specialize in cleaning all types of commercial drains, including sewers, and offer same-day and 24/7 emergency service.
To learn more about what we can do for your drains, give us a call today at 763-913-8719 or contact us online with your questions or a service request, and we’ll be in touch.