It goes without saying that in order to keep your business running smoothly you need to ensure that your commercial property is fit for purpose. It doesn’t take much to go wrong to bring your whole business to a complete halt, so any systems within your building failing or displaying faults can quickly turn into a huge problem. All of this also applies to your plumbing system, if anything should fail it can cause huge problems for you and your business.

There are a few common plumbing problems that you can be on the look out for, some are easier to identify than others however they should all be dealt with promptly and by a professional plumber should you come across them. Below you will find the top 5 plumbing emergencies JWC Plumbing & Heating come across at commercial properties.

• Leaky Taps
• Blocked Drains
• No Hot Water
• Burst Pipes
• Low Water Pressure
• Blocked Sewers
• Leaking appliances

Plumbing Emergencies

Leaky Taps -It is a common misconception that a dripping tap is a simple fix as most will dismiss the root cause of the problem. A lot of people also choose to ignore a dripping tap however, this is something that should never be ignored. Ther4e are many reasons a tap may start to leak most common tends to be a worn washer however it can sometimes be the result of a much larger issue that involves having the tap completely re-sealed, O-ring seals replacing or faulty glands.

You can get the things you require to fix a leaking tap from local DIY shops however if your not confident with DIY then you should always call out a professional plumber to ensure the job is done correctly and they can also rule out or fix any more serious issues.

Blocked Drains – Blocked drains are a common occurrence both at the home and at business premises. Signs that you have blocked drains include:

• Slow Draining Sinks
• Gurgling Toilets and Sinks
• Overflowing Toilets
• Rotting Smells

There are many causes of a blocked drain, build up of grease and fat, things being flushed that shouldn’t be such as sanitary towels and baby wipes. When in a commercial property it is hard to control what others are putting down the drains, so it is always a good idea to keep on top of it by using a heavy duty drain un-blocker. If blocked drains are a consistent problem at your business premises, then you should consider calling out a plumber to investigate further.

No Hot Water – Not having access to hot water is a situation that no one wants to find themselves in particularly in the colder months! Before calling out the assistance of a professional plumber it might be worth checking that there is not a simple solution to the water being cold such as, a faulty fuse or low temperature set on the thermostat preventing the boiler from turning on.

If there are no obvious reasons for your lack of hot water then this could be a sign of a much more serious problem and it would be worth calling out an emergency plumber to come and identify the fault and carry out any necessary repairs on your boiler. It is also worth keeping in mind your annual boiler service and ensuring it is kept up to date to help prevent serious problems in the future.

Burst Pipes – This is definitely a plumbing emergency! A burst pipe can cause huge problems that can be very costly to repair. The most common cause of burst pipes is frozen water within them causing the pressure to build up and the pipe expanding and eventually splitting. Signs of a burst pipe include:

• Puddles found around appliances
• Hearing rushing water
• Noisy pipes
• Rotten smells

In some cases, burst pipes can leak slowly making it hard to identify quickly allowing them to cause massive amounts of damage before the problem is even identified. It is worth keeping a close eye of for all the signs mentioned above and should you identify a bust pipe contact your local emergency plumber straight away.

Leaking Appliances – Within a commercial property there are many different appliances that can spring a leak, from fridges and washing machines to radiators and boilers. If any of your appliances begin to leak, then you should call out a professional plumber straight away so that the leak can be fixed and further problems such as water damage and structural damage can be avoided.

If your having problems with the plumbing or heating at your commercial property then contact JWC Plumbing and heating today – 0151 345 4039