Plumbing

3 Common Commercial Plumbing Problems

Commercial plumbing isn’t like residential plumbing. When an issue comes up, it can have major consequences if not addressed appropriately and quickly. That’s because buildings and businesses are usually up to code that can result in a lawsuit or an issue with the permits if the plumbing isn’t fixed according to local standards.

That being said, it doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared for the next commercial plumbing problem to arise. They might not happen at the most convenient moments but they don’t have to cause as much panic in you and your staff as they usually do. That’s why we’re going to go over some of the most common commercial plumbing problems that our customers have experienced, and we’ll talk a little bit about how they form and what you can do.

Overall, commercial plumbing in Vancouver, BC is best left to the professionals. If you notice anything on our list of common problems, don’t hesitate to give our team of experts a call.

Drain Clogs

More often than not the most common problem in commercial facilities, whether in an office building or a restaurant, are drain clogs. Just based on the sheer number of people that might use your facility’s bathrooms or kitchens, drain clogs are bound to happen and there’s not much you can do to stop them. At least when it comes to residential drain clogs, there are fewer people using each drain and they can be more proactive at how clean they keep their appliances, but with commercial plumbing that all changes.

Clogged drains can often not only be an inconvenience but can harm the presentation of your company and your building. Restaurants that have clogged drains can have trouble functioning up to health and safety standards because fewer employees might be washing their hands or correctly washing produce if they’re having trouble operating faucets and drains.

Basically, a clogged drain should be fixed by a professional plumber as soon as possible.

Faucet Leaks

As we mentioned earlier, these problems aren’t just inconveniences but can signal to customers or clients that your building isn’t up to code. A faucet leaking in a bathroom, kitchen, or anywhere else can be a signal that you’re wasting water. Faucet leaks are pretty hard to predict and there are multiple reasons for why they might exist. Whether it’s just a loose valve or a problem in your main water line, you’re going to need a professional plumber to fix the issue.

Low Water Pressure

This problem is the opposite of a faucet leak since you’re turning on the sink and not receiving the amount of water you’d like. This can be especially bad for buildings in the food industry, since washing produce, cleaning hands, and keeping stations clean are paramount to health and safety. Without the correct amount of water pressure, the kitchen staff will take longer to clean their stations and your business will not be up to snuff.

If your company works with chemicals or any other type of material, you might have eyewashes and showers that need the correct amount of water pressure as well. These are tedious systems, and they need to be repaired almost immediately for them to remain up to safety standards.

by VanMech

Choosing the Best Commercial Plumber

Let’s just be clear about this from the start—commercial plumbing is not to be taken lightly. Depending on the scale and type of business you run, commercial plumbers need to be extremely well-trained in a deluge of local codes and plumbing solutions. Likewise, on the side of the business, hiring an amateur or a plumber that’s not prepared for what’s needed could result in losing thousands of dollars in revenue and unhappy customers, which is arguably worse.

Choosing a team for commercial plumbing in Vancouver, BC isn’t just about flipping through the phone book until you find the first choice. It’s up to you to choose a team with the right experience, availability, equipment, and expertise in order to have your business thoroughly cared for.

So today, we’d like to go over what you can expect from a perfect commercial plumber. This includes things you might not have considered before, along with some tips of the trade when deciding if a contractor is right for you.

The Benefits of Quality

We can’t stress enough the sheer amount of benefits you get from working with a contractor that knows what they’re doing when it comes to commercial plumbing. A contractor that knows what to expect with your business needs can make your life easier and provide monetary benefits in the form of happy customers and clean plumbing.

Industry-Specific Experience

The most difficult aspect of finding a commercial plumbing team is the specific nature of your business. If you’ve got a restaurant that needs service on a grease trap, and easy availability for the large number of plumbing issues you might need—signing up with a team that’s only worked on offices might be a horrible idea. Each business requires unique plumbing needs depending on the customers, health requirements, the type of business, and much more. Hiring a team that’s used to those specific business needs can make your life a lot easier.

Experience in the Field

This should always be a conversation that comes up when looking to hire a contractor for commercial plumbing. It’s a good idea to bring up the different plumbing needs of your business, like a grease trap, the hours of your business, the scale of your business, and everything else that you think matters.

Larger businesses often need a larger team to service them, since a residential plumbing company won’t come close to having the necessary tools for the job. Even if a plumbing team has some experience working with commercial plumbing, they might not have the sheer amount of employees, equipment, or availability necessary to keep your business doing well.

Responsiveness

Make sure your commercial plumbing team is responsive to your needs. After all, one bad plumbing issue could cost you thousands in revenue or unhappy customers, which means you need attentive contractors who can get there and fix your issue handily. If your business has certain special hours when it operates, it’s a good idea to find a team that can respond to those hours and provides service exactly when you need it.

by VanMech

Causes of Sewer Odors in Your Commercial Building

The hygiene of a commercial facility is essential for its operation. When sewer odors appear in your facility, it can indicate serious problems. But even smaller issues must be resolved quickly, and it requires professional commercial plumbers to track down the source of the problem so it can be remedy promptly and correctly.

There are several potential causes for the odor of sewage to enter a commercial building. Below we’ve listed a few of the most common.

Dried p-traps in unused or abandoned areas

Large facilities may have sections that are no longer used or have been sealed off. If there are drains in these areas still connected to the main sewage system, sewer gas can escape up through the drains and waft into the space. The p-traps in these drains (the curved section directly underneath the drain) will have dried out and removed a barrier from the movement of sewer gas. We recommend having plumbers seal up the pipes with cement.

Leaking sewer vents or inadequately installed vents

Sewer vents allow the build-up of sewer gas in the drainage system to rise and escape through the roof, balancing the pressure. If leaks develop along the sewer vent pipes, it will allow the sewer gas to enter rooms through the walls. It requires plumbers using leak detection methods to find the precise location of the leaks so they can be accessed and sealed or repiped.

If the drain vents were not installed correctly (the wrong pipe diameter, for example), poor venting will result in sewer gas rising up from drains. Plumbers will need to replace the sewer vents with the properly sized pipes.

Clogged plumbing vents

Damage to the vents, animal nests, or storm damage may clog the vent openings. This will push the sewer gas back down into the drainpipes and up through drains. (You may notice a gurgling sound coming from drains; this indicates sewer gas percolating through the water barrier in the p-traps.) Please don’t try to go to the roof of your facility if you think this is the trouble! Leave all this work to the commercial specialists.

Sewer line, septic line clogging or leaks

The sewer line (or septic line if your facility uses a septic tank) may become clogged with debris or tree root infiltration, leading to a backup in the line that will affect the whole building. Odors are often the first warning sign of a major issue like this. Professional sewer line cleaning or repair is necessary to fix the issue. In extreme cases, the sewer line may need to be replaced.

For commercial sewer line repair and commercial drain cleaning in Burnaby, or any other commercial plumbing service your business needs to keep running, you can depend on our team.

by VanMech

13 Words Commonly Used in the Plumbing Industry

Plumbing industry jargon proves to be confusing to the average homeowner, however, we're here to help you out! From gray water to branch drains to blowbags, it's no wonder you get confused when listening to plumbers talk. Next time you need to hire a plumber, do it with confidence! Understand their lingo by learning the following terms.

• Blackwater: This frequently-used plumbing term serves as a euphemism for a rather unmentionable reality of daily life. Blackwater means wastewater, especially the sewage that flows from your toilet every time you flush it. Alternatively, it can also mean wastewater that remains stuck in your clogged toilet.
• Greywater: Greywater refers to wastewater that flows from all other household fixtures besides toilets.
• Hard water: Hard water flows through the pipes of billions of homes around the globe. When plumbers use the words “hard water,” they’re describing water with an overabundance of mineral content, which can lead to corrosion and clogged fixtures.
• Water softener: A water softener removes excess minerals from hard water by means of a specialized substance or device to produce a more comfortable bathing experience and avoid damage to kitchen and bathroom appliances and fixtures.
• Branch drain: Branch drain refers to the pipe directly connected to your sinks, shower floors, bathtubs, toilets, washing machines, dishwashers, and more. It flows towards your main drain pipe, which, in turn, connects to the main sewage line that your local government controls.
• Drain field: Below the surface of your yard, a drain field represents a network of pipes connected to a septic tank. The drain field clears septic tank water of contaminants before allowing it to enter the soil and, ultimately, the water table.
• Fittings: A fitting represents a common plumbing part that connects two separate pipes together.
• Potable water: As one of the oldest plumbing terms in the trade, potable refers to water that remains safe for human consumption. Although most modern societies no longer store drinking water in pots, the word continues to see significant use in the plumbing, legal, and medical fields.
• Trap seal: All drains connected to the sewer have a curved pipe called a trap to prevent noxious odors from leaking into a home or place of business. The trap seal refers to the water that sits in the trap, blocking the unwanted gasses from entering.
• Tee: A tee is a T-shaped fitting that connects three separate pipes. Plumbers typically use it to create branch drain lines.
• Blow bag: As one of the most commonly used tools in the plumbing industry, a blow bag busts through a clogged drain using bursts of forced water. It consists of a nozzle and bladder and connects to an ordinary garden hose.
• Dope: Dope is a sealant that plumbers apply to threads in order to create a lasting leak-proof, pressure-tight connection. It has a thick paste consistency. One should not confuse it with plumber’s tape, which serves a similar purpose but is more like a stretchy film.
• Snake: A plumbing snake consists of a flexible, metal cord wound into a spiral. Plumbers insert it into drain pipes to break up especially stubborn clogs.

Call Us Today & Use Your Newly-Acquired Plumbing Jargon!

Now that you know the lingo, you can hire a plumber and feel like one of the pros! If your home or business is in need of some plumbing assistance, you can trust our team to solve the problem. We service the Vancouver area so give us a call at (604-992-3156) to schedule with us today.

by VanMech

Plumbing Facts and Fiction

Plumbing isn’t always the most accessible topic and misinformation can cause a lot of confusion. Even worse, it could cost you a lot of money if a mistaken idea means you don’t take care of a plumbing issue quickly enough. Vanmech Heating & Plumbing in Vancouver is here to help set the record straight. Keep reading to learn about three common misconceptions as we separate plumbing fact from plumbing fiction!

Leaky Faucets are Nothing to Worry About

Vanmech & Heating Plumbing’s verdict? False. While it might not seem like an immediate problem, minor leaks can lead to a major problem over time. One drip? Okay, but how about ten-thousand? That’s a significant amount of water waste. Leaky faucets, toilets, or appliances should be addressed sooner rather than later. The leak could be the result of a broken seal, a cracked pipe, or potential issues with water pressure. If you suspect that the leak is being caused by more than a loose bolt, call a professional plumber for an inspection.

Water Heaters Can Explode

While it certainly makes for an eye-catching headline, the reality is decidedly less dramatic. It’s true that old, poorly maintained, water heaters can sometimes rupture under rare circumstances. However, the result will be a cracked tank, not an explosion. Moreover, modern water heaters are installed with pressure relief valves that are designed to release built-up pressure and prevent this exact problem. Sometimes water heaters make rumbling noises, which can mislead homeowners into thinking danger is imminent. However, this is generally a sign that sediment has collected at the bottom of the tank and is preventing efficient operation. So if you do hear noises from your water heater, it is probably time for a check-up. In general, valves should be checked every few months, and the tank should be drained yearly. This will ensure your water heater stays in top shape.

Flushable Wipes are Pipe-Friendly

This is a bit of an exaggeration. While a better solution than non-flushable wipes, the flushable variety still aren’t the best thing for plumbing systems. This is because they degrade at a much slower rate than toilet paper and can cause potential blockages or other problems, especially if they are used in large quantities.

by VanMech

Commercial Plumbing Concerns and Questions

Commercial plumbing systems differ greatly from those found in residential homes. While both residential and commercial plumbing systems are often susceptible to similar issues, the way in which you prevent or address these problems may be different. Understanding the top commercial plumbing concerns your property faces can help you take steps to reduce the impact of these issues on your plumbing to save money, time, and even protect your reputation by ensuring your plumbing is never out of service. When you do need help with your commercial plumbing in Burnaby, Vancouver, don’t hesitate to call your professional plumber for prompt assistance, rather than trying to resolve the issue on your own. Check our homepage to learn more about our services or learn more about us and what we stand for.

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An Aging Plumbing System

The age and maintenance history of your commercial plumbing system are two of the most important factors in its overall performance and its risk for developing problems. Because many commercial properties are established in existing and leased spaces, you may not know how long your plumbing system has been installed or its current condition. Rather than waiting until your plumbing has developed several costly leaks or you have experienced a downturn in the quality of your water due to ageing pipes or appliances, talk to your commercial plumber about performing a comprehensive evaluation of your plumbing system to determine its condition, its risk factors, and the best plan for long-term maintenance.

Clogs and Backups

Just like residential homes, commercial spaces can be prone to clog and backed-up pipes and drains. However, clogs and backups can be a bigger concern in a commercial space due to both the increased usage volume and the potential for property damage and hazardous conditions for employees or clients if a major clog occurs. One of the simplest ways to prevent clogs and backups is to educate employees regarding proper waste management. Clogs are often caused when debris or chemicals are flushed down drains that the pipes are unable to handle. Placing trash cans in easily accessible locations can also reduce the misuse of drains to improve their performance and lower the risk of clogs. If your plumbing system is older or you have had several issues with clogs in the past, talking to your commercial plumber about hydro-jetting could help you restore the like-new condition of your pipes by removing years of buildup left by minerals, grease, fat, and other materials.

Leaky Fixtures

Commercial plumbing fixtures may be used by tens, hundreds, or even thousands of people each day. This frequent use can quickly result in problems such as leaks that waste water, reduce performance, and give your clients the wrong impression of your property. It’s important to keep in mind that even minor leaks will not go away on their own—as soon as you notice a leak, contact your plumber for prompt repairs. Making it easy for employees to report problematic fixtures is a great way to reduce your response time and handle these issues quickly while discussing the best type of fixtures for your needs with your commercial plumber can ensure that you choose high-quality fixtures that will hold up under heavy use.

Are you looking for a service to care for your commercial plumbing in Burnaby, Vancouver? Contact us any time and we will be more than glad to help. Our plumbers have experience with the needs and challenges of commercial plumbing systems to provide the top-quality service you want to protect your property and your plumbing. You can find out more about our comprehensive plumbing services and solutions when you click through our website, where you’ll also discover additional plumbing tips, information, and news on our monthly blog.

by VanMech

Plumbing For Health, Safety, And Sustainability

We don’t often give a second thought to plumbing (except when something breaks), but it is actually one of the most important technologies for modern life. Plumbing enables us to have constant access to clean, potable water for drinking and bathing, which is a pretty amazing thing that most people throughout history would never dream of having as part of their daily lives. Plumbing (and regular plumbing maintenance) is an important factor in maintaining the health, safety, and sustainability of your home on a day-to-day basis. Here’s why plumbing matters and how it protects you and your home.

Keep Bacteria Contained

Leaky pipes can mean disease-carrying bacteria from bathroom fixtures spreading around your home and causing health issues. Well maintained, secure pipes will prevent bacteria from contaminating your home and mitigate the potential health risks that come with the spread of bacteria.

Reduce Waste

A small leak under a sink can mean a big waste of water. Even if a minor leak is not causing damage to your home, it is still using a significant amount of unnecessary water. This is wasteful and costly since you have to pay for the amount of water you use! Prevent extra water costs and do the environment a favour by getting leaks dealt with right away.

More and more plumbing technologies are being invented with the environment in mind. Consider installing low-flow fixtures, pipes made from recycled materials, solar hot water tanks, and other green plumbing solutions to help decrease environmental impact.

Mold Prevention

Leaks can cause mildew and mold, which are serious health risks that can cause respiratory issues and life-threatening illness. Well-maintained plumbing in the home ensures that you don’t have excess moisture that can cause harmful mold to grow.

Avoid Structural Damage

Preventing and immediately fixing water leaks keeps your home safe from worse damage. Water leakage can cause wood to rot, which has the potential to negatively affect the structural soundness of a building and can be extremely time-consuming and costly to repair. Keeping an eye on your pipes for minor leaks and fixing them right away will save you a bundle of money and time in the future.

Ensure Non-Hazardous Materials

Up until quite recently, the hazards of lead contamination were not widely known and the vast majority of plumbing was done with lead pipes and solder. Some faucets and valves made of brass can also contain smaller amounts of lead. If you have an older home, you may still have potentially harmful lead materials in your plumbing system. A qualified plumber can inspect your pipes, valves, and faucets, tell you if you are in danger of lead contamination, and, if necessary, replace your old fixtures with new ones made of safe materials.

by VanMech

Common Older-home Plumbing Problems

There are a number of potential plumbing issues that are common in older homes. Certain materials and techniques that used to be par for the course in plumbing are no longer up to code, general wear and tear needs to be checked on, and past repair jobs may not have been as effective as you would hope. Here are a few of the most commonly occurring older-home plumbing problems that you may need to be aware of in your house if it is more than 30 years old or so.

Polybutelene Pipes

Polybutelene was used to make pipes from the late ‘70s up until the early ‘90s, so a lot of homes still have them. Unfortunately, the material wears down after prolonged exposure to oxidants such as chlorine that are present in most public water supplies, so these pipes are now breaking down and causing problems in the homes they are installed in.

If you have Polybutelene pipes, you should get them all replaced before they leak and cause serious water damage to your home and belongings. If you don’t know what material your pipes are made of but your home was built between the 1970s and 1990s, you should have a professional inspect your pipes and let you know what they are composed of.

Galvanized Pipes

Galvanized pipes are made of iron and covered in a layer of zinc. Galvanized pipes are prone to corrosion and the iron in the pipes can cause water discolouration. Replacing galvanized pipes before they become too corroded and cause leaks and water damaged is a good idea, and if your drinking water has been coming out a funny colour it could be a sign that you have galvanized pipes that need replacing.

Cast Iron Pipes

Cast iron pipes underneath your home’s foundation tend to crack and leak over time. This is just normal wear and tear that happens eventually, so make sure to have your cast iron pipes checked by a professional if they are older. Because of their tendency to crack, cast iron pipes are especially susceptible to tree-root intrusion as well, which can cause other issues (see below).

Tree Roots in Sewer Lines

The moisture from sewer lines makes tree roots want to grow into them. Depending on the material and age of your sewer lines, tree roots may be able to make their way inside small cracks in the pipes and then grow inside them and create a clog. If you get your sewer lines checked regularly, you can have the tree-root intrusion dealt with before it completely takes over the pipes, which will save time and money in the big picture.

Inefficient Fixtures

As plumbing technology evolves, it is becoming more and more efficient in water usage, so it follows that, generally speaking, the older the fixture, the less efficient it is. Not to mention, years of wear and tear will have taken their toll on the fixtures in your older home. Have a professional inspect old fixtures regularly and when it’s time to replace them opt for new, more efficient models.

Inherited DIY Fixes

You don’t know what was done to the plumbing in your home before you moved in—or who was doing it. Past homeowners may have done DIY plumbing fixes that are not going to hold up like professional repairs. It’s not too unlikely that somewhere in your home there is duct tape holding back a leak or something equally ineffectual. It’s always a good idea to get a professional in to inspect all of the plumbing in an older home that you’ve recently moved into. A plumber can check everything out and let you know if anything needs to be replaced or repaired, so you don’t have any unpleasant surprises (like sudden plumbing emergencies) later.

by VanMech

Never Wash These 12 Things Down Your Drain

It’s so easy to just rinse whatever you please down the drain, but there are some things that will damage your pipes and bungle up your plumbing. Refrain from sending these 12 things down your drain or disposal and your pipes will thank you.

Sink Drain

Coffee grounds are an extremely common cause of clogged kitchen pipes. We know, we know, you’re groggy in the morning, but get in the habit of throwing those coffee grounds in the compost, not the sink, and you’ll avoid bigger problems in the future.

Oils and fats. After cooking with fat or oil, it can be tempting to just pour the liquid down the sink. Don’t! They won’t stay liquid once they cool and will really mess up your pipes. Instead, transfer oils and fats into an empty jar or can, allow it to cool and solidify, then toss the whole container into the trash.

Paint won’t damage your pipes, but toxins from paint poured down household drains can make their way into public water supplies and pose health risks, so make sure you dispose of it elsewhere.

Flour might not seem like a big deal to wash down your drain, but remember what happens when you add liquid to flour in a recipe. You get a sticky, gloppy substance that you definitely don’t want forming in your drain.

Garbage Disposal

Eggshells can dull disposal blades. Instead, opt to toss them in the compost.

Bones of any kind. Even small chicken or fish bones will just damage your disposal and cause plugged-up drains.

Corn husks are very tough and fibrous, which can dull blades. The corn silks also shouldn’t go down the disposal since they are so thin and will tangle around the mechanisms.

Fibrous vegetables like celery and pumpkin will just plug up your disposal and trap other debris in there.

Pasta swells up bigger and bigger with water exposure, so it can cause blockages in your disposal and drain.

Oatmeal will pass right through the disposal and then expand in your pipes, which can easily clog things up.

Nuts. Before you throw any nuts into the garbage disposal, stop for a moment and think: what happens when you grind up a bunch of peanuts? You get peanut butter. Which is not something you want to create in your disposal and then send down your pipes. Do yourself a favour and toss any nuts into the compost instead.

Potato peels are usually skinny enough to slip right through the disposal unscathed, so they will clog things up and catch other bits of debris.

by VanMech