Sewers, drains, and all other types of waste disposal mechanisms are not something the average worker thinks about. Certainly, they use the facilities and expect them to be working when needed. But, for many, this is the extent of their connection to your drains.
Of course, being out of sight means they are not thought about until something goes wrong. Then, the company finds itself with a hefty bill and, if the system has backed up then you could be looking at serious business disruption and the cost of cleaning up. These are all expenses that can be avoided with a few simple steps.
Educate
The first step is to educate your staff. That means make sure they know what can and cannot go down the drains. This is actually quite simple, toilet paper and human waste are the only things that should be allowed into the sewer system. Everything else, including feminine hygiene products, should be put in a bin. Supplying a bin at every facility with poster reminders will help your workers to comply with the rules.
Cleaning
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, the drains can become clogged and start to cause issues. This can be because the wrong thing has been accidentally been put down the drains or the pipe is damaged. To help avoid this scenario you should do two things.
- Professional Cleaning
Using a professional drain cleaning service company gives you peace of mind, you know the drains are clear, clog-free, and ready for action.
- Drain Cameras
Invest in a drain camera and periodically ruin it into your drains. The camera is small enough to snake its way through your waste pipes. It will give you a picture from inside, allowing you to inspect the pipes and ensure they are all clear.
Of course, you’ll need to take action if it identifies an issue.
Check The Facilities
It is important that you check your toilet facilities. Many businesses are adopting modern low-flow valves to reduce their environmental footprint and save themselves some money.
This is a good thing unless your older toilet doesn’t work well with a low flow, which is surprisingly common. The lack of flow prevents the toilet from emptying properly, causing an unpleasant blockage.
Consider Usage
You can educate your staff regarding the most common causes of blockage and what they cannot put down the drains. But, you can’t stop them washing and perhaps even showering at work. This produces soap suds and body hair, which combine in the pipes to start creating a blockage.
Even a small kitchen can contribute enough grease, food debris, and oil to create a clog. Regular drain cleaning will help but you should also invest in a grease trap. You will need to clean and empty this regularly to ensure it doesn’t contribute to any clogs.
Of course, there are times when clogs start to happen, despite your best efforts. The clue is when the drains are slower, that’s when you need to take urgent action.
