Perhaps one of the most overlooked parts of owning a commercial property is its plumbing. In fact, plumbing in any building can be easy to ignore until something goes wrong. It may be a small leak here, or a strange smell coming from the bathroom. And if something goes horribly wrong, you may become faced with angry business owners who suddenly can’t work because of water damage and broken plumbing.

Before the worst happens, here are seven tips on plumbing maintenance that will help you avoid accidents and broken pipes.

1. Don’t Ignore Small Issues

Do you see a small leak starting to form from one of the emergency sprinklers up near the ceiling? Do you smell mold inside a maintenance closet? Don’t ignore small things, as they may become large issues for health and work efficiency. Flooding, mold, and drips are no joke for commercial buildings.

2. Prepare Your Pipes for Winter

When the temperature drops outside, it’s time to winter-proof them. Give F.H. Furr a chance to come take a look at your system. We can make sure no pipes burst from freezing and prepare your system for both current and future seasons.

3. Be Aware of What Flushes Down the Drain

In commercial buildings, it is vital to know exactly what you can put down a drain. This doesn’t apply strictly for bathrooms, although you may need to remind employees that nothing unexpected should go down the toilet. Materials and chemicals should never be flushed down a drain, as it can lead to plumbing deterioration and fines from city inspectors.

4. Know Where Your Water Shut-Off Is

If emergencies do spring up from your plumbing, don’t panic! Before anything happens, make sure you and your employees know where your building’s shut-off valves are to cut off the floodwaters before they damage equipment or electrical systems.

5. Install a Water Softener

Soft water isn’t just for feeling cleaner in the shower. It’s also better for pipes and plumbing. Hard water can leave mineral deposits in your plumbing and is generally harsher on metal piping. Soft water can protect your pipes and give higher-quality water to you and your employees.

6. Upgrade Your Building’s Plumbing

Many commercial buildings in Georgetown, DE, and the surrounding areas are getting up there in years, and their plumbing systems may not be ready for heavy daily use. Upgrading your system can save you a lot of money in the long run. You can optimize your water use and protect your property from suffering accidents like old pipes breaking and flooded drains.

7. Have a Professional Plumbing Team Ready to Help

Don’t be caught completely unprepared if your commercial building’s plumbing breaks. If you do some research, you will find F.H. Furr as one of the best plumbing companies in Delaware. For plumbing repairs in Georgetown, DE, and surrounding areas, keep us on call for emergencies. If you aren’t currently in a plumbing emergency, you can consider working with us for inspections and upgrades that will keep the plumbing in your commercial building running strong for years to come.