If you own or lease space in a commercial building, you must pay attention to the performance of the drains. Slow drains are a red flag that something more serious is going on inside the pipe, and whatever it happens to be, prompt, professional attention is critical.
If you ignore a slow drain or assume it’ll resolve itself, you could be in for some serious consequences. Read on to find out what can happen when you fail to schedule commercial drain cleaning at the first sign of a clog.
Offensive Drain Odors
When the drains in your building accumulate enough gunk, eventually, they’ll begin emitting off-putting odors caused by bacteria growth. Commercial buildings that house prep kitchens, food processing operations, and other businesses that work with food daily are especially prone to developing these odors.
Given the type of solids that often flow down the drains in these types of buildings, the pipes can develop serious clogs quite rapidly if minor drain issues aren’t dealt with promptly. If any offensive-smelling drains are in public-facing areas, those odors can trigger serious questions from customers and guests.
Even if the offending drains are in employee-only access areas, no one wants to work in an environment that smells like rotting garbage. If you’re dealing with slow drains now, it’s best to schedule commercial drain cleaning at your earliest convenience. The sooner you eliminate the buildup that’s causing the problem, the less likely you are to deal with off-putting odors in the workplace.
Leaky Pipes
When there’s a slow drain in your building and you don’t handle the problem, eventually, the buildup that’s causing slow drainage will form into a serious clog. It’s not a question of if; it’s a question of when. And when that blockage forms, incoming water will not be able to get past it.
But that water has to go somewhere, and it only has a couple of options: back up out of the drain opening or push its way out of the pipe. You’ll likely see water backing up out of the drain opening first, but depending on the health of that section of plumbing and the severity of the clog, pressure can build inside the pipe.
If the pressure becomes too great, the water can force its way through a compromised area of the pipe, creating a small water leak. Depending on the circumstances, that leak may remain small (and typically undetected) or it may grow larger. Regardless of the severity of a pipe leak, it’s not an ideal situation for any building. Water causes damage, and damage can lead to loss of business.
The best way to avoid this situation is to schedule a commercial drain cleaning appointment at the first sign of a slow drain. You should be having commercial drain cleaning at one- to two-year intervals anyway as a preventive measure. There’s no time like the present to start.
Structural and Aesthetic Damage to the Building
If any of the pipes in your commercial building develop even a minor blockage-induced leak and you don’t know about it, water can do some serious damage. Depending on the location of the leak and how long it goes undetected, you could face several serious problems like:
● Ceiling and wall damage
● Flooring damage
● Machinery damage
● Foundation damage
That’s why tending to slow drains immediately is so important. While a slow drain might seem fairly inconsequential, it can lead to serious problems if it’s left untreated. Fortunately, if you’re dealing with a slow drain, a professional drain camera inspection can both locate the offending blockage and identify potential problems with the pipe.
Your commercial drain cleaning specialist can alert you to any red flags or small leaks during the inspection, so you can schedule plumbing repairs immediately. Prompt and preventative action is the best way to avoid pipe leaks, serious water damage, and expensive building repairs.
Mold and Mildew Growth
What happens when your building has a long-standing pipe leak and you don’t know about it? Aside from the potential for structural damage, there’s also a serious potential for mold and mildew growth. And when mold and mildew start growing, they’re very tough to stop.
Eventually, the growth can become so severe that you notice a musty, weird odor develops in certain areas of the building. By that point, the mold may be so serious that it affects the health and safety of those who spend time in the building daily.
Pest Infestations
Pests love water, so if there’s water leaking or backing up anywhere in your commercial building, you can bet that insects will eventually find it. And once they do, they’ll multiply. If you’re not keen on dealing with a pest infestation, schedule a camera drain inspection and commercial drain cleaning as soon as you notice slow drains.
Downtime and Loss of Business
Last but certainly not least, slow commercial drains can interfere with the daily operation of your business. Depending on the type of business you own and the severity of the plumbing problem, you may be forced to shut down until the issue is fixed. And of course, anytime you shut down unexpectedly, you’re bound to disappoint your customers and lose some business.
If routine commercial drain cleaning isn’t on your annual agenda yet, it’s time to put it there. If you’re unsure how frequently your drains need cleaning, consult with a professional drain cleaner who can assess the health of your pipes and determine an appropriate schedule.
Serious consequences can result from slacking on drain maintenance, and as they say — an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Drain Blaster Bill’s: Your Twin Cities Source for Comprehensive Commercial Drain Cleaning
Whether your commercial drains are currently clogged or you’re looking to take care of routine, preventive maintenance, get in touch with our team at Drain Blaster Bill’s. We specialize in commercial drain cleaning services, sewer cleaning, drain camera inspections, ag drain cleaning, manhole cleaning, and much more. We also offer same-day service, as well as 24/7 emergency service for your convenience.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, give our Stillwater, MN office a call today at 763-913-8719, send us a message, or request a free estimate, and we’ll get back to you promptly.