Common Problems Solved With Plumbing Repair Kits

Common Problems Solved With Plumbing Repair Kits

Nov 6th 2023

Many people downplay the importance of plumbers as a profession… until their toilet gets clogged. This is an old trope but serves to highlight the importance of this trade and how hard it actually is. If it were easy, everybody would keep a plumber repair kit at home and, more importantly, know how to use it.

These plumbing problems become even more prevalent in commercial and industrial settings, where they can disrupt the functioning and efficiency of a venue or production floor. Low water pressure in a plant can cause many problems related to hygiene safety or chemical hazard handling. A malfunctioning water heater could wreak havoc in a hospitality or health-related facility.

So, today we're going to talk about the most common plumbing problems, their causes, and possible fixes.

Clogged drains and fixtures

Having clogged drains is a common problem and happens more often than we can imagine. Many imagine this can only happen to toilets and sinks. However, the problem usually affects large venues equipped with washing stations that deal with copious amounts of chemicals and debris that accumulate inside the drain.

Depending on the industry, dealing with a clogged drain can be dangerous. Many things can cause partial or complete clogs. In the hospitality environment, clogs are usually caused by hair, paper waste, or food. However, in factories or production facilities, the materials preventing the free flowing of water can vary immensely, ranging from innocuous to heavily irritant or dangerous. Sometimes we don't just want to unclog the pipes as it can release hazardous elements into the environment, so the job requires us to locate the clog and remove the section for cleanup or replacement.

A professional plumber will evaluate the problem based on the information available. In safe environments, creating hydraulic pressure and suction forces with a plunger can be enough to dislodge the clog. However, every plumber repair kit should contain a sink auger in case they need to break up and clear the clog using mechanical forces.

And Auger is essentially a steel cable coiled within a drum canister. It has a corkscrew tip that essentially drills the clog and allows the plumber to pull the clog out and safely grab it with tweezers or pliers.

If the same drain is usually clogged, it might be time to replace the fittings or the pipes. But, again, an evaluation would help discover structural problems that might be causing frequent interruptions.

Leaky Pipes And Fixtures

In industrial settings, it is sometimes difficult to keep track of leaks. However, something as small as a leaky faucet can drive the service bills up. Moreover, leaky pipes can gradually damage surrounding structures, driving maintenance and repair costs up if left unchecked.

Leaky pipes and fixtures are typically caused when seals deteriorate. Valve seats will eventually wear and corrode, and water pressure can slowly damage pipes causing leaks to appear.

The usual procedure is to check and repair the washers causing the problem. Certain fixtures require specific replacement parts and seals that meet factory requirements. Commercial plumbers should always keep plumbing repair kits to fix the problem correctly. Performing a routine check also allows them to replace the washer in all similar fixtures at once if all of them require maintenance.

Water Heater Problems

Water heaters can cause a host of problems. For example, it might prevent guests from taking a warm shower in the hospitality industry. But in other sectors, it could slow production down if the water does not reach certain temperatures. A malfunctioning mixing valve can also represent a danger, as unchecked hot water could scald a guest or an employee.

There can be several potential causes for a malfunctioning water heater. For example, if it becomes difficult for showers to deliver steady temperatures, especially after toilets are flushed, then the plumber needs to check the thermostatic valves. A leak can also have a negative impact on pressure levels, sending the wrong signal to your mixing valves. Finally, mineral deposits can reduce the efficiency of a water heater.

After checking if the water heater pilot light is on and that the temperature setting is correct, the best way to proceed is to drain the water tank and clean the mineral buildup. Next, check the seals in all of the mixing valves in case they just need to be replaced. Commercial plumbing repair kits should include a healthy assortment of valve seals and parts to reduce downtime.

If your operation requires you to have a constant supply of high-quality plumbing repair kits, make sure you browse through our products or talk to our representatives. We carry plumbing repair parts for all major brands, offering competitive prices on bulk orders and special requests. Contact us today and find the right supplies for your operation at Quality Plumbing Supplies.