7 Common Commercial Plumbing Issues

It’s no secret that commercial plumbing infrastructure is far more complex (not to mention more expansive) than residential plumbing. Commercial plumbing fixtures also often get used more roughly and see a higher volume of use than their residential counterparts.

Because of this, there are a number of common commercial plumbing issues that could crop up from time to time. These are some of the most common, along with their warning signs - this is why you need to keep a Delany retailer like Quality Plumbing Supply on speed dial!

Silent Leaks
A silent leak is a leak that occurs somewhere behind the works. They cannot be easily detected in the same manner as leaking fixtures because they can happen behind walls and elsewhere within the building, making it hard to detect the signs.

However, variations in water pressure can be a symptom. If left unchecked, silent leaks can damage a building’s structure, ruin drywall and flooring, cause corrosion, and worse. It can encourage the growth of harmful mold and bacteria that can be hazardous to human health.

Failed Internal Flushometer Components
All flushometers have internal components that could fail or malfunction, whether in the form of a degraded diaphragm, valve seat, or something else.

Sometimes these parts can be cleaned to remove an obstruction or improve the quality of the seal, and at other times they must be replaced entirely.

Leaking Flushometer Handles
Fortunately, flushometers with Delany’s Rubberflexer will never leak. That said, not all flushometer handles contain the same design, and many will leak over time.

Hard use and abuse - such as being kicked - can cause flushometer handles to break or loosen, allowing them to leak.

When that occurs, you’ll be glad you kept the number of a qualified Delany retailer to supply you with the parts you need to replace.

Constantly Running Flushometers
Flushometers can also experience a failure of internal components that prevents them from shutting off entirely. If this occurs, the flushometer will continuously run or flush at odd intervals.

This is a horrible waste of water and terribly unsound, economically. Running flushometers can be fixed by a qualified commercial plumber.

Drain and Toilet Clogs
Clogged drains and toilets are probably the most common of all commercial plumbing issues, and they can occur at any time, in any setting, for a wide range of reasons.

Whether from a slow accumulation of hair or grease or because someone intentionally flushed something that should never have gone down the drain in the first place, preventing and rectifying clogged drains is of the utmost importance.

Luckily, this is one issue that can often be readily identified. Slow drains, drains that back up with extended usage, gurgling sounds from the drain, and even bad smells can indicate that there is currently a clog or that a clog is forming.

If you notice any of these, don’t use corrosive drain cleaners. These are ecologically destructive and can damage pipes. Instead, call a qualified commercial plumber to help troubleshoot, diagnose and rectify the issue.

Line Pressure Issues
Low water pressure can be caused by a number of factors, some bad, others not so bad. It can be caused by faulty valves or slightly occluded pipes - or by something much worse, such as leaking or burst pipes.

Low water pressure is a cause for significant concern. If your facility experiences issues associated with fluctuations in water pressure, don’t attempt to solve the issue on your own. Enlist the help of an experienced commercial plumber at once.

Unpleasant Odors
Unpleasant smells arising from plumbing issues are not just an inconvenience, they can be a massive financial burden (since they impact the customer experience and can cause a dip in patronage) and they can also be dangerous.

This is because gases such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia occasionally accumulate in sewer lines. Breathing in these gases can cause bodily injury.

There are a number of factors that can cause the formation of unpleasant odors, including but not limited to dry traps and damaged drain lines. That said, it is a job for a commercial plumber to diagnose and not a building administrator or janitor. If your facility is waylaid by unpleasant odors from the plumbing, don’t let it impact your bottom line. Call for help right away.

The Importance of Genuine Compatible Parts
It’s not simply the case that a qualified, licensed professional should be the one diagnosing and fixing your commercial plumbing issues. It’s also the case that in many instances, only genuine compatible parts should be used to safely and effectively address a plumbing issue.

For instance, if a facility is outfitted with Delany flushometers, only genuine Delany parts sourced from a Delany retailer should be used to attempt a repair. This ensures compatibility, consistency, and safeguards the success of the repair.

At Quality Plumbing Supply we carry not only many Delany plumbing parts, but also parts and repair kits from Sloan, Acorn Engineering, Bradley, Lawler, American Standard, and countless others.

Take a look through our collection today and if you need help finding a specific part or repair product, feel free to contact us at Admin@QualityPlumbingSupply.com or by phone at 1-833-251-4591.