If you’re like most commercial business owners, you probably don’t think about the health or cleanliness of your building’s plumbing system until there’s a problem with it. But by that point, it may be too late, and you could be facing expensive issues.
Even a single, severe drain clog in your main sewer line or another high-volume drain in your building can result in serious problems, including business disruptions, risk of biohazard exposure, and more. But here’s the good news: you can dramatically reduce your risk of developing drain clogs by scheduling commercial drain cleaning on a regular basis.
Just how often should you be getting your building’s drains cleaned? Read on to find out.
What Exactly Is Commercial Drain Cleaning?
Commercial drain cleaning involves industrial-strength tools designed to eliminate all traces of debris and residue from within your building’s plumbing system. Whether you’re scheduling maintenance cleaning or addressing an acute drain blockage, a drain cleaning appointment typically begins with an inspection to assess the interior health of the drain pipes.
Here’s what you can expect when you schedule a commercial drain cleaning session:
● Camera drain inspection. Using a high-definition, waterproof camera attached to a long, flexible rod, the drain cleaning specialist will assess the interior of your building’s plumbing system. The camera sends a real-time feed to a video monitor, so the technician can easily identify the location of budding drain blockages and any other pipe issues (such as corrosion or leaks) you should know about. This inspection allows the technician to choose the best commercial drain cleaning tool for the current condition of your building’s drain system.
● Commercial water jetting. Water jetting involves a high-pressure jet of water that’s distributed directly into the drain and through the pipes. This procedure is not only capable of washing away all residue buildup along the interior of the drain, but it can also easily cut through even the toughest drain blockages. Tree roots, metal, grease — no clog stands a chance against a commercial water jetting machine. This technique is the most effective and efficient way to thoroughly clean commercial drains and keep them performing properly over the long term.
● Drain snaking. Drain snakes are generally used to tackle minor blockages within a pipe. A drain cleaning specialist inserts a long, flexible, thin, metal rod into the drain opening (the drain snake or auger), and feeds it through the pipe until the rod comes into contact with the blockage. The technician then maneuvers the snake to break apart the clog, allowing the broken-down solid material to move through the pipe. Once the blockage is gone, liquids can once again flow freely through the drain. If you’re scheduling a routine drain cleaning appointment, your technician may or may not need to snake your drains.
Commercial Drain Cleaning Frequency for Various Types of Businesses
The frequency with which you should schedule commercial drain cleaning for your business is highly dependent on the volume of material your drains handle daily. The manner in which your staff and customers use your building’s drains also plays a role in the number of times you should schedule professional drain cleaning annually.
If your business involves food processing or has heavily used grease traps or floor drains, it’s in your best interest to schedule maintenance commercial drain cleaning once a year. Routine cleanings will go a long way toward keeping high-volume plumbing systems flowing freely and preventing unnecessary business interruptions caused by clogged pipes.
Businesses with heavily trafficked bathrooms (airports, shopping centers, etc.) should also consider scheduling drain cleaning annually. Most other businesses should schedule preventive commercial drain cleaning every 18-22 months to keep their plumbing system in optimal condition and identify any minor pipe issues as they arise.
Tips for Maintaining Free-Flowing Drains Between Professional Cleanings
Although commercial drain cleaning is crucial for keeping your building’s plumbing system in optimal condition, there are simple things you and your staff can do to help keep your drains clean too. To help prevent drain clogs in between professional cleaning appointments, consider implementing the following tips on a routine basis:
● Running hot water through kitchen drains at the end of every shift
● Using drain traps to prevent solid particles from accidentally traveling into the drainage system
● Posting signage detailing proper waste disposal guidelines in kitchens, bathrooms, and areas with floor drains (trash never belongs in any drain!)
● Periodically pouring soapy water into drains to see how quickly the bubbles move through the pipe (if they seem to move slow, that may signal an impending drain clog)
● Using single-ply toilet paper since it naturally breaks down faster in water
● Setting toilets to the highest-volume flush setting to keep solids moving through the drainage system properly
● Cleaning grease traps regularly to prevent fats and oils from traveling into the plumbing system
This should go without saying, but if your building develops slow drains or a complete blockage, call a drain cleaning specialist that offers same-day or emergency service. The best way to avoid an unintentional business interruption caused by a severe plumbing issue is to address minor problems as soon as they become evident.
Looking for a Commercial Drain Cleaning Service Near Minneapolis?
Does your business need commercial drain cleaning? Get in touch with our team at Drain Blaster Bill’s Sewer & Drain Cleaning! We specialize in commercial drain cleaning services for all types of business, both large and small, including ag drain cleaning, commercial sewer cleaning, commercial water jetting, drain camera inspections, and more.
To learn more or schedule a service appointment, call our Stillwater, MN office today at 763-913-8719 or request a free estimate, and we’ll get in touch!