Maintaining Commercial Drains: Top Tips and Best Practices for Businesses

Maintaining your commercial drains helps avoid costly, foul smelling issues that disrupt day-to-day operations and create problems for staff and visitors.

We work with commercial business owners and facilities managers across West Sussex and Hampshire to keep their drainage systems running smoothly.

Common Causes of Commercial Drain Issues

Commercial environments are more likely to encounter drainage issues due to the volume of waste going through the system day-to-day. It can also be very difficult to monitor exactly what is being flushed or washed away by everyone in a building, and this is where many common mistakes can quickly turn into emergency drainage callouts!

From the Frying Pan to Poor Plumbing

When cooking fats, oils and grease are poured down the drain they can solidify inside pipes leading to clogs and trapped waste – this eventually creates what we call ‘fatbergs’. We see this regularly when attending callouts, particularly in restaurants and other premises with commercial kitchens.

Based on what we see on site, our top drain cleaning tips for kitchens with high-volume of food waste and grease include:

• Ensure staff follow a strict Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) policy
• Daily hot water flushes and cleaning of drain strainers
• Use enzyme-based drain cleaners daily or weekly- depending on how busy your kitchen is
• Clean grease traps regularly and inspect floor drains
• Deep cleaning and sewer lines checks are essential

Flushing the Unflushable

You will be amazed by the weird and wonderful objects our team have seen make their way into drainage systems. From sanitary products or food packaging to a tea towel causing a blocked toilet issue in an office… we really have seen it all.

It doesn’t take much for a blockage to cause major problems for your business, and this was certainly the case when our team were called to a drainage emergency at a gallery who had an art event taking place that day; with over 200 guests attending that evening, this was far from ideal and very stressful for our client.

Due to the ladies’ toilets being out of use, the owners were going to have to push back the start of the event. So, we did what we do best. After locating a bottle opener lodged within the drain run, we were able to identify the cause quickly and carry out the necessary repair. This allowed the toilets to be brought back into use, so the show could go on!

To avoid problems from materials being disposed of incorrectly you should ensure:

• Staff are trained and clear signage on ‘what not to flush’ – these should visibly displayed around your premises
• Provide clearly labelled bins for non-flushable items throughout the building
• Ensure medical-grade filtration screens are installed where required, these are typically needed in health care and industrial settings to prevent infection, and to maintain high levels of cleanliness and safety
• Install sink strainers and fine-mesh hair catchers (ideal for salons and dog groomers) to catch hair or pet fur, soap scum, and other small objects

When Old Pipes Cause You New Problems

We are often called out to older commercial buildings where pipes are feeling the effects of wear and tear, and outdated drainage systems are overflowing or running slow trying to keep up with the constant usage.

We highly recommend:

• Spotting signs of potential drainage issues quickly and calling a professional immediately
• Managing water pressure so you don’t put a strain on older pipes
• Explore updating your current systems with an expert

Weather Warning to All Drains

In the UK, we are no strangers to bad weather, and often the heavy rainfall and cold winters can overwhelm drainage systems, and cause blockages, pipe and building damage.

Some simple weather prevention measures you can take:

• Regular inspections and clearing of gutters, downpipes, and drain covers
• Installing leaf gutter guards
• Use foam insulation on exposed pipes

This regular internal and professional maintenance often means that minor issues aren’t accidentally overlooked, and waste won’t build-up and go unnoticed. If not actively monitored, this can lead to issues that can cause periods of business downtime.

Without fast action, this could have been the case for a high-end car garage we helped with a flooding issue. We arrived to the showroom where there was flooding on one side; all the cars had to be moved to one section stopping them from being shown to customers. To prevent as much downtime as possible, our team quickly got to work clearing the blocked gully causing the issue. This meant the showroom could reopen fully and continue trading with minimal disruption!

How We Help Maintain Your Drains

Regardless of industry, we highly recommend every commercial property should have in-house inspections and a structured drain cleaning schedule. We suggest putting a commercial drain cleaning and maintenance contract with a drainage company in place. At West Sussex Drains, we offer preventative care that is developed around your needs, conducting maintenance checks monthly, quarterly or annually.

Drain Warning Signs Business Owners Should Look For

Due to the size and complexity of commercial properties, health, safety and environmental compliance and potential financial impact, it’s important to know when you need immediate drainage assistance from an expert. These include:

• Continuous blockages/ main sewage line backups
• Slow drainage across the building
• Lingering unpleasant odours
• Signs of flooding
• Structural damage due to water

Failing to deal with drainage issues fast and effectively could lead to costly damages, affect your daily operations and can come with health and safety risks along with potential insurance and compliances issues.

Call the Professionals

Whether you are looking for regular drainage maintenance or need support when a drainage emergency strikes, our team is here to keep your drains flowing with as little interruption to trading as possible.

Explore options or talk to an expert about your drainage needs today!