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Preventative maintenance involves a small amount of effort now to avoid a costly and time-consuming headache later on. We always encourage residential homeowners to prioritise plumbing maintenance, but it's doubly important for commercial operators. Clogs, leaks, and corrosion can be a nuisance for homeowners, but they become a liability and a source of lost income for business operators.
Bondi Junction neighbours one of the busiest locations in Australia, Bondi Beach, which is host to 2.9 million visitors every year. With that kind of traffic flowing through Bondi Junction on the way to the beach, business owners simply cannot afford to have any downtime.
Closed doors due to plumbing problems cost revenue by the hour, so let's explore what preventative maintenance is and how to do it. The benefits of these simple actions include cost savings, efficiency, operational continuity, and invaluable peace of mind as a commercial operator.
Commercial settings often face far more pressure on their plumbing infrastructure than residential settings, especially those businesses in the hospitality industry. The flow of staff and customers using facilities, staff washing and rewashing mugs, plates, and food containers, and the need to fill up the kettle or coffee machine every hour strain the plumbing system over time.
For cafés and restaurants, this is magnified further, with chefs and cooks using water to fill pots and add to dishes, and the industrial dishwasher operates almost constantly to clean the limited tableware. With such high demand placed on commercial plumbing, it is common to see leaks from high pressure, clogs from food debris, and corrosion from constant exposure to moisture (as well as the salt air found in the eastern suburbs of Sydney).
Bondi Junction is also home to high-density commercial real estate, such as Westfield Bondi Junction and Tiffany Plaza Shopping Centre, the plumbing systems of which face even greater pressure over shared plumbing needs. However, regardless of whether you're in a shared retail space like a shopping centre or a street-level shopfront, there is plenty that you and your staff can do to look after your plumbing so that it looks after you.
Booking regular plumbing inspections is crucial for identifying potential problems early. Often, it is hard to tell whether a problem is creeping up until something blocks up or breaks entirely, creating a plumbing emergency. We might dismiss a tiny amount of corrosion on fixtures, but inside the rust has spread further. We might hear gurgling on occasion and think it's normal, but grease is solidifying into the drain and will cause a blockage and water overflow before too long.
All these things can be averted with a regular inspection every 6–12 months for commercial settings. Hospitality businesses should lean towards 6 months, while small office settings might be more suited for annual inspections.
Keep your drains clean and prevent food (especially grease and fats) and other debris (like coffee grounds) from washing down the sink. If some debris does find its way down the drain or if you want to make sure nothing is interrupting the flow of your pipes, consider regular drain cleaning to prevent future blockages. A regular flushing out using a kettleful of boiling water is often effective in dislodging buildup.
For a more heavy-duty clean, after you have poured down the boiling water, pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drain. The mixture will react and fizz and break down any debris or grease that is clinging to the inside of your pipes. It's best to avoid using corrosive chemical cleaners unless necessary, as they can damage both your pipes and seals and the environment.
High water pressure sounds like a great idea in theory, but it can put unnecessary strain on your pipes, pipe joins, valves, and other fixtures. Over time, this water pressure can start to weaken joins, bust seals, and put pressure on the adhesives that keep pipes together. This can cause water leaks as the water looks to force its way out wherever it can. If you experience leaks, damaged appliances, or hear a banging sound when turning off the tap, you might have high water pressure.
Water pressure gauges are commercially available, but it's always best to consult with a professional plumber who can verify how high the pressure is and give you advice about how to protect your premises.
If you notice a water leak from a pipe, where pipes join, or from taps or other spouts, do not wait and certainly do not put off addressing it. What is a minor issue today can become a catastrophic leak tomorrow, and even minor leaks are costing you more and more on your water bill for water you don't even get to use.
If you suspect a leak, immediately turn off the water supply to the building to prevent further wastage. The location of the leak will determine what to do next. If it comes from a pipe, one temporary fix can be drying the area and applying plumber's putty and a wrapping repair kit, though we stress that this is temporary only and is used to prevent further damage until you can call emergency plumbing services.
Leaky taps can be disassembled to check if any components like washers or O-rings need replacement or whether there is corrosion or mineral buildup in the valve seat. This can be fixed by replacing worn-out components mentioned or by clearing away accumulated buildup though if you are unsure how to do this, call an emergency plumber to prevent extra damage being accidentally done.
Prevention is the best medicine, and this is true in plumbing as well. Educate your building's occupants about responsible plumbing usage, including what can and can't be washed down sinks or flushed down toilets. Use a sink strainer to catch any food or particles from going down the drain and inform staff and customers that the only thing that can be flushed down a toilet is toilet paper, as paper towels and sanitary products are common causes of bathroom clogs.
Bondi Junction has a unique commercial landscape, close to the salt spray of the neighbouring beaches and teeming with shops, cafés, restaurants, and shopping centres. The pressure of such high volumes of people in one small area has a great effect on local plumbing upkeep and longevity. Monitoring the performance of your commercial plumbing is essential, both for the safety of your equipment and the reliability of drainage to prevent a commercial shutdown.
Local plumbers know this landscape and can understand Bondi Junction’s specific plumbing challenges, advising you on the installation of plumbing solutions and technology to optimise your plumbing condition without disrupting your commercial activity.
Always choose a licensed commercial plumber for preventative maintenance, as their expertise means quality repairs to commercial grade plumbing fixtures, ensuring compliance with regulations and materials suited to your specific operations.
Plumberoo are locals to eastern Sydney, so we're experts in what business owners in the local area need from their plumbers. Call or message our expert team today for your commercial plumbing repair or maintenance needs. We're based in Mascot, so if you're operating out of Sydney's eastern suburbs, we can be at your property within 2 hours to handle all your plumbing emergencies.
Remember, preventative maintenance is all about avoiding emergencies and the twin costs of major repairs and temporarily shutting down business. For more information or advice or to book regular commercial plumbing services, ask for a local Plumberoo plumber to attend your business. With minimal disruption, quality workmanship, and excellent customer satisfaction, your plumbing maintenance is in safe hands.
