With so many financial pressures and items to manage on their to-do list on these days, few business owners likely give much daily thought to their company's drains. While most days the process operates smoothly, if the drain system isn't maintained, there will come a time when a plug will occur - and this will likely be at the most inconvenient time possible.
When a business has a clogged drain, everything stops. Whether in an employee break room, locker room, restaurant kitchen, hotel guest room or public bathroom, the problem needs to be addressed immediately. In addition, a plug may lead to water on the floor which could lead to potential legal implications if a customer or employee slips and falls.
Admittedly, drain maintenance is easy to forget about - out of sight, out of mind, after all. Consider these helpful tips below to keep your drains healthy and your focus on your business:
• Regular bathroom checks will help you and your employee team members to keep on top of any potential maintenance issues. Run water through the drain to make sure everything is operating properly, water is flowing freely and the basin is emptying in a timely manner. This is a critical part of the process to help avoid drain plugs and problems in the first place.
• If your company deals with a lot of grease, whether it's from cooking in the restaurant industry or from employees washing hands that were caked in greasy industrial substances, post signs around sinks that remind them to avoid washing these materials down the drain. Request that employees with greasy hands wipe them first on a paper towel to remove some of the oil before rinsing under the faucet. Have a process in place for disposing of cooking oil and make sure employees follow it.
• Hair is a common culprit of drain clogs, so consider installing a mesh screen to capture the strands. Of course, this will require that the screens be removed and cleaned frequently as they will do their job and leave unsightly hair in the sink basin.
• Go with a tried-and-true solution like a professional drain maintenance product. There are a number of solvents in the marketplace and available through janitorial supply companies that work as a degreaser to break down any fats, oils and grease in the pipes before a clog occurs.
• Maintaining your drainage system goes beyond keeping the pipes free of debris. Don't forget about taking care of the odor as well. An odor eliminator product that contains enzymes can be poured directly into the drain to actively remove odor-causing substances. Deodorizing products can also leave behind a fresh-smelling scent.
• Try a natural remedy, such as a solution of the reliable cleaning stand-bys vinegar and baking soda, to keep drains flowing properly. The bubbling action followed by a flush of hot water can rid the pipes of any potential clogging hazards, but be careful not to pour too much baking soda down the drain or you might create a problem that didn't exist before.
• Another do-it-yourself home remedy is to simply boil a pot of water and pour it down the drain to wash away any oily substances before they build up. This solution works best if the drain is properly maintained and relatively clog-free to begin with.
• Do not overuse any type of cleaner, because excessive use may impact the pipes themselves by damaging them.
• Call in a professional to inspect the drains and pipes. Sometimes it is best to know what challenges you are facing from the beginning instead of waiting for a problem to pop up.
Whatever the case may be, do not simply ignore your company's drainage system. It needs just as much care and attention as other aspects of your business.
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