Tips for Commercial Plumbing Emergency

When dealing with plumbing problems in your house, it is a nightmare. However, commercial plumbing emergencies can potentially cause even more disasters and hassles. At best, it can impact business operations. At worst, commercial plumbing emergencies can jeopardize your customers’ and employees’ safety. Having a commercial plumbing emergency tips guide can help you save time, money, and lives.

We have compiled a list of commercial plumbing emergency tips to assist you in preparing for and dealing with workplace plumbing emergencies.

What Is Considered To Be A Plumbing Emergency?

Plumbing emergencies can be big or small. They can happen at any time and without warning. Here are the following examples of potential plumbing emergencies.

A Leak Or A Drip

Although these are not the most severe plumbing emergencies that you can experience, leaks and drips can vary in intensity and cost your money over time in the form of wasted water. On the opposite side of the spectrum are more severe plumbing emergencies. A leak or a drip is a plumbing emergency when lots of water leaks.

However, you also don’t want to assume that a faucet with a minor drip is not a big deal. You may not be aware, but one leaking tap that drips three times a minute results in 104 gallons worth of wasted water each year. Although a minor leak that you cannot repair or locate yourself is not an emergency, you will need to call a plumber as soon as possible.

Standing Water

Unattended leaks are the leading causes of standing water. Backed-up drains are another potential cause. No matter the reason, standing water is a plumbing emergency since, along with the potential to cause permanent structural damage, the water can cause people to be susceptible to electrical hazards. For example, an electrical malfunction that would not ordinarily be dangerous could pose higher risks if it occurs near standing water.

Flooding Or Overflowing Water

Not only is flooding or overflowing water potentially damaging to your business operations. Moreover, it can also compromise the safety of employees and even customers by posing health and electrocution risks. Flooding and overflowing water is a serious plumbing emergency.

If the problem is isolated to one area, you can simply shut down that part of your business and fix the issue as soon as possible. In the meantime, direct customers away from the affected area and notify your employees about what happened.

A Burst Pipe

Leaks that result in significant water damage are the most obvious commercial plumbing emergencies. Also, leaks that cause structural damage or flooding can be commercial plumbing emergencies. However, burst pipes are even more severe. Although the water loss is usually rapid, they typically do not affect people’s health and safety.

High Water Pressure

If a loud bang accompanies a sudden extreme spike in water pressure, it is probably best to call a plumber immediately. This type of plumbing emergency can burst pipes and cause leaks, which result in electrical hazards if the leak is in standing water. Also, the high pressure itself can damage equipment and parts.

A Malfunctioning Water Heater

There are several reasons why water heater problems are a plumbing emergency. Although it happens very rarely, a water heater can explode in extreme situations. A plumbing emergency that is much more likely with the water heater is when the thermostat causes the water to become too hot and scald. Or suppose water is not heated adequately by a water heater. As a result, it can cause a sanitary problem, especially for specific commercial plumbing customers such as restaurants that need to do things like wash dishes.

What To Do When A Plumbing Emergency Arises?

Suppose you have a plumbing emergency such as one of those discussed above. To minimize damage and ensure everyone’s safety at your business, follow the below instructions before calling a commercial plumbing company.

First, shut off the water supply to your site. Second, if you notice a leak, find an isolated area and shut off the tap or valves that control this part of the plumbing system. If you cannot reach it or underwater, call a plumber immediately for help. Also, be sure to check pipes outside to find the main water supply. The location of this faucet varies depending on your business, but it is typically close to where you have your meters or gas meter.

Moreover, if a specific fixture is overflowing, such as a toilet or washing machine, you can find the water shut off for the particular fixture. It will usually be located directly behind the fixture. However, some leaks are not associated with a specific individual shut-off.

Lastly, to avoid standing water plumbing emergencies, the main water shut-off for the whole building will need to be shut off. If you don’t know how to do this, find out how to do it now. Then advise all employees of the shut-off valve location and instructions for shutting it off.

Breaker Box

Hopefully, it will be easy for you to find your breaker box. The circuit breakers are usually labelled and correspond to power in specific building parts. If that is not the case in your situation, you and some employees need to visit the breaker box and become familiar with it. For example, if there is standing water, shut the power off to that part of the building to eliminate the risk of electrical shocks. It can also be helpful during a plumbing emergency that involves a water heater.

Become Familiar With Your Water Heater

Is your business water heater electric or gas? If you have an electric heater, it is good if you have already checked the breaker box, as discussed earlier. If you have a gas heater, do you know the location of the gas shut-off valve? When your water heater ever overheats, this plumbing emergency will require you to immediately shut down the system to avoid more severe problems.

Moreover, turn the water valve off that feeds into your water heater. You should then be ready for commercial plumbing professional to come out to repair your water heater so you can return to business as usual.

If the valve is jammed, you need to shut it off at the source. If you cannot figure out how to do this, now is the time to call a plumber if one doesn’t come within the next few minutes.

Summary – Commercial Plumbing Emergency Tips

No matter what type of commercial or residential plumbing emergency you have, our experienced professionals are ready to save the day. Our company offers same-day appointments 24 hours per day, and we guarantee all of our work. Call us after you complete the steps discussed above to help with your plumbing emergency. We will arrive as soon as possible.