Top 5 Commercial Plumbing Issues and How to Prevent Them

Many commercial property owners don’t think about their building’s plumbing system until there is a problem. Even minor plumbing problems can lead to major issues that cost you money. Over time, a single dripping faucet in a public restroom may cause sky-high water bills. Low water pressure or clogged drains send a bad message to your customers and clients. These are the most common commercial plumbing issues we see in Weatherford, TX properties.

1. Leaky Faucets

Your building’s faucets see a lot of use throughout the day. Over time, repeated use and rough handling can cause parts to wear down and break. One of the most common causes of a leaky faucet is a damaged seal. As water runs through the faucet, sediment accumulates inside the interior. This sediment corrodes the seal causing a leak. Some faucets, like cartridge faucets, also have an O-ring in the handle. When this O-ring becomes loose, you’ll notice leaking from the handle. If you notice that the faucet only leaks at certain times of the day, that’s a sign that your water pressure is too high. 

The steady dripping of a faucet is not just annoying, it’s expensive. One small leak can waste as much as three gallons of water per day. Leaking faucets also can cause stains, mildew, and mold. Mold and mildew can affect occupants’ health, and water stains affect your property’s appearance. Over time, leaks can cause major damage. If you have a leaky faucet, it’s important to call a reputable plumber before the problem gets worse. Our experts at Lightfoot Mechanical will come in and diagnose your problem. We’ll replace the necessary parts and ensure your faucet performs the way it should. 

2. Clogged Drains

Like your building’s faucets, your drains see a lot of activity. Commercial drains can withstand more use than your home’s drains. Unfortunately, that means that people working and visiting your building may be tougher on commercial plumbing. When people drop paper towels, toilet paper, and other debris into the sink or toilet, this foreign matter can cause a clog in your system. Drains also may clog when users are careful. Soap scum may build up in your pipes and cause water to drain slowly. Food and grease also may build up in kitchen drains and cause clogs. 

Sometimes, the debris clogging the drain is visible. In a commercial property with complex plumbing, it may be more difficult to locate the pipe with a drain. When you call our team at Lightfoot Mechanical, we start the process by locating the clog. We may extend a camera into your pipes to locate the clog. Once we find the clog, we’ll use an auger to remove the clog and clean out the pipe. 

3. Foul Odors Coming From Drains

If sewer smells are sending your customers running, then you may have a clog in your main sewer line. A clog in the main sewer line can lead to major problems in your commercial building. Instead of waste exiting your building through the sewer line, a clog may cause sewage to back up into your building’s pipes. Raw sewage, bacteria, and germs can make occupants and customers sick. 

To fix a clog in the main sewer line, we’ll start by inserting a camera in your drain to locate the clog. Common causes of main sewer line clogs include tree roots and grease. A broken pipe also may be the source of main sewer line clogs. Once we locate the clog and diagnose the problem, we’ll remove the clog or replace the broken pipe. 

4. Water Pressure Problems

Normal water pressure is important for keeping your building and its occupants clean. When your building’s water pressure is too high, you may hear banging in your pipes. The aerator inside your faucet may spit water, or you may notice leaks from the faucet. Strong water pressure damages your building’s plumbing system. Over time, this excessive water pressure will shorten the life of your water heater and other appliances. 

Water pressure that is too low causes a health and safety risk to your building’s occupants. When we wash our hands, we rely on adequate water supply to remove bacteria and germs. If the water pressure isn’t up to the task, you may have bacteria on your hands that can lead to illness. Your building’s sprinkler system also relies on adequate water pressure to function. When a fire triggers your building’s sprinkler system, water must push through the sprinkler heads’ valves in order to work. If your building’s water pressure is below 7 PSI, the water will not be able to push through the valve. 

A professional plumber can diagnose the cause of your water pressure problems. We’ll check your building’s pressure regulator to ensure it is functioning properly. Our team members also check for clogs or closed valves. We also can evaluate your building’s plumbing and determine if you need to upgrade your system.

5. Running or Broken Toilets

Your building’s toilets may be the hardest working fixtures in your building. If you notice your toilet is running, leaking, and clogging frequently, it’s time to call a pro to diagnose and fix your problem. Many times, toilets break because of frequent use. Parts wear out or become loose. Another common problem occurs when people flush objects other than toilet paper or waste. Paper towels, feminine hygiene products, and baby wipes are common culprits that cause clogged and broken toilets. 

When you call a professional plumber at Lightfoot Mechanical, we’ll diagnose the problem. We can replace parts or install new toilets in your commercial building. If your building has toilets with handles, we can install an automatic flushing system meant for commercial use.

Contact the Plumbing Pros

For over 40 years, commercial property owners in Weatherford have relied on our team at Lightfoot Mechanical for all their plumbing needs. We understand that you can’t wait for a solution to your plumbing problem. That’s why we offer emergency plumbing services. Our team can handle your burst pipe or overflowing toilet. Your plumbing problem can be a health and safety hazard, so you can count on us to respond quickly. Don’t wait for a leak to cause high water bills or damage your business. Our pros offer leak detection services. We’ll locate and repair the leak at the source. For your faucets, fixtures, and toilets, we offer a wide range of services. Our experts at Lightfoot Mechanical can repair your faucets and toilets. When you’re ready to replace your buildings old fixtures, we also sell and install the latest in plumbing systems. From new toilets that save water to top-of-the-line faucets, you can upgrade your commercial property’s bathrooms. 

Don’t wait for these common plumbing problems to affect your business. Contact our team of plumbers at Lightfoot Mechanical in Weatherford.