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Signs You Have Issues in Your Commercial Plumbing System

Signs You Have Issues in Your Commercial Plumbing System

All commercial buildings in Lenexa, Olathe, and Kansas City should have a designated commercial plumbing company that checks the plumbing system regularly. No plumbing system is perfect, and faults leading to breakdown can occur from general daily use at any time, so it’s a good idea to have a commercial plumbing contractor you can call on as and when you need to.

In commercial buildings, it’s important to note any signs that your plumbing system might have issues, even if they’re small. Commercial plumbing systems deal with more complex faucet and pipe installation and repair, and if even small problems are left untreated, what would have been an easy fix can become a huge bill and burden on your business.

Some of the signs which might indicate issues in a commercial plumbing system include:

A drop in water pressure

A drastic drop in water pressure could be an indication of a leak in the plumbing system or a blockage restricting water flow. If this drop in pressure is affecting an entire building, it’s highly probable that there’s a problem in the plumbing system. In this case, your commercial plumber needs to be contacted as soon as possible.

An increase in water bills

This is an early warning sign of problems in a commercial plumbing system. If your property has not been using more water than usual, but the bill keeps rising, a prompt inspection should be done on the system. High water bills are often due to leakages, and require a professional to find and fix the problem so your water bills reduce.

Water discoloration

Corrosion inside pipes, especially metallic ones, may lead to brown or yellow water. At times, the water may contain rust, which can be harmful to human health. Water discoloration is an indication of decayed pipes, and if that’s the case, they should be replaced as quickly as possible.

Physical damage to pipes and tubing

Dents, dimpling, flaking, and discoloration on pipes indicate that they might be worn out and require replacement. By-products of water corrosion build up inside pipes, reducing their width and therefore the amount of water that can pass through them.

This increases the risk of the pipes breaking and creating a more costly fix. It’s always important to contact commercial plumbers to inspect pipe quality, and we recommend that you do this at least once per year for proper maintenance.

Unpleasant odors

If there’s something that smells a little off, it could be due to a number of things. It might just be bacteria or a clogged toilet, but it could be something more serious like a sewer gas leak. If your drains smell unpleasant, it’s important to call a professional immediately.

Change in the landscape around the property

Leaking pipes may cause unexpected plant growth around your property, or conversely, erosion in the building’s foundation. This is a silent issue that is commonly unnoticed, but if you spot a suspicious green patch of grass, especially if it runs along the sewer line, it could indicate a major underground leak. Alternatively, you might notice degraded areas of land, which is also indicative of a major leak and a professional commercial plumbing contractor should be called immediately.

Wet or flooded floors

Leaking sinks or toilets can cause water to seep into other rooms and lead to workplace accidents. Be on the lookout for wet floors, as it may be caused by a leaking pipe. Such problems should be taken care of quickly to avoid more significant plumbing problems.

Gurgling sounds

Unusual noises coming from your plumbing system shouldn’t be ignored as they may be a sign of failing plumbing pipes and valves. Again, you should call your commercial plumber if you hear anything out of the ordinary.

Clogged drains

If you experience issues with drainage in your sinks and/or toilets, you may have a partial or completely clogged pipe. Accumulating dirt and undissolved particles and debris in pipes can slow down drainage. You might want to consider installing drain screens to help prevent debris from going down the drain.

Running toilets

Jiggling the handle after flushing the toilet to prevent running water is a sign of a problem and if ignored, will increase your water bill as water continuously runs. If the flapper valve on a toilet doesn’t fit properly, it causes the float to become imbalanced or the fill tube to loosen, leading to running water. Minimize water wastage by acting as soon as you notice this problem.

Faulty water heater

The build-up of sediment in your water tank, a pilot light that’s gone out, and a faulty thermostat are all problems that can lead to cold faucet water, even if your water heater is on. It’s important to have your water heater inspected and maintained regularly to avoid this issue.

Dripping faucets

A single faucet can drip away hundreds of gallons of water over a year. Torn, stiff, worn, and dislodged internal washers can cause this dripping, which you’ll notice because your water bills will increase, and also because it’s simply annoying!

Clogged toilets

A mixture of human waste and paper can lead to clogging, and is noticeable when the toilet is flushed but it fills up instead of draining. Blocked toilets can cause bad smells and a sewer snake or drain auger may be necessary to loosen blockages.

Damage caused by water

Pinhole leaks and mold might be too small to notice, but they can cause water damage if left for long periods of time. That’s why it’s important that plumbing systems in commercial buildings are regularly checked, as even the smallest fault will be detected.

If you’re looking for a commercial plumber near Lenexa, Olathe, or Kansas City, contact us today for your customized quote.