Modern buildings need plumbing to operate, and that is simply the truth. It is a disaster when this system breaks down for even a day, given the level of discomfort and possible health hazards. That is why keeping this system in excellent condition is always a top priority for owners and managers, especially some of its vulnerable components like the pipes.

Preventing potential harm to your commercial plumbing components is a daunting task for many building owners and managers. It requires planning, a competent team, and a set of excellent practices to follow. You need to look at the methods you reinforce for your building. Here are some that may give you ideas:

#1. Secure and Drain Your Pipes

Before the winter season, empty and secure any external taps and pipes in your building's plumbing system. Any water that becomes trapped in the pipelines freezes, then expands, and then splits, breaks, or ruptures them. Protecting your property by securing these external pipes is the best move.

Drain your pipes, segregate any garden tubes, and use tap covers to protect your exterior faucets from freezing temperatures. Switch off the power circulation into the system and discharge all liquids from the pipelines for irrigation systems. Some plumbers can assist you with your domestic pipes' shielding and draining process to avoid costly pipe repairs.

#2. Secure Exposed Pipes

Rather than shutting off all ventilation in your building, which could lead to the growth of mildew and mold, ensure your pipes have adequate protection so that they can resist the freezing winter air. Insulating your building pipes is a simple and inexpensive technique. It's as simple as wrapping pipe insulation or towels around your plumbing pipes. 

It can help your heater stay warm and lower costly energy bills. It would help utilize electric heating tape to protect vulnerable pipes from close electric sources. Heating tape, which you can twist around pipelines to provide adequate warmth to keep your lines from freezing.

#3. Search for Leakage

Even the tiniest breaches in your taps and pipes can produce uncontrollable floods if you don't notice and fix them right once. The ensuing damage may necessitate extensive and costly repairs that interfere with your building's function. Consequently, you must inspect unheated locations such as garages, basements, and crawl spaces. You can install adjustable magnetic flexisnap attic access panels to these areas for convenience when doing regular inspections.

Pay specific attention to any places that aren't adequately insulated. Pipes with little to no insulation are more susceptible to the environment, making them more likely to crack and leak. Getting in touch with plumbing services is a good idea because they can help you identify trouble areas. They also provide helpful tips on properly preparing and maintaining your pipes during the winter.

#4. Insulate Indoor Pipes

Although external pipelines are responsible for several winter plumbing issues, don't overlook your internal plumbing. In the cold, inside pipes can potentially freeze. Exposing your lines to the warmth of your indoor air by opening some cabinet doors where they are can help to alleviate concerns. 

If you're going to leave for an extended time, set your inside thermostat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. When the external temperature drops below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, enabling your indoor taps to gradually leak can prevent pipelines from cracking and causing catastrophic damage.

#5. Weatherproof Troublesome Sites

It would be best to check your pipe sites that typically have issues. Check to see that the seals on air vents, windows, and doorways are still intact. To prevent your pipes from freezing, repair any loose seals using caulking. You must instruct your team to thoroughly inspect areas that may be susceptible to issues before they can manifest.

#6. Sign-up for a Maintenance Program

Keeping a close check on your building's pipes system regularly, as suggested by professional plumbers, can save you money and effort on problems and repair services. Consider enrolling in a plumbing maintenance program that ensures you will know how to respond in the event of a pipe problem. Participating in a plumbing maintenance program will put your mind at ease because you will be placing your system in experienced hands.

Here are additional things you may consider:

Protect Your Building's Content From the Consequences of a Malfunctioning Plumbing System

If the system fails, precautions must be in place to prevent harm to the property or risk to the residents' health. Fixtures must supply overflow capacity. Roof tanks and other concealed parts of the system should also have overflows that release in a way that serves as a caution before causing damage. You should install a pressure and temperature pressure regulator in every pressure vessel in the system.

Any leaks or discharge in the drainage system must not compromise the space or contents of the food processing and preservation facilities inside the building. Designers must place added measures by indirectly connecting internal fittings to the plumbing system in industrial or commercial settings. It is applicable in areas where they produce or prepare food or handle or store sterilized goods or other potentially vulnerable materials.

Hot Water Systems Must Have a Design That Prevents Possible Risks

To avoid the risk of combustion or overheating, equipment for generating and preserving heated water must have a design that can accommodate such forces and position in well-ventilated spaces. It must maintain water temperatures at the prescribed level, and pipes used to transport hot water must come from materials that can resist the warmth of their contents.

Install Liquid Seal Traps in Your Drainage Systems

You can install a liquid seal trap in each fixture or group of fixtures linked to the drainage system. The depth must be sufficient for the liquid in each seal to prevent smells and gases from escaping. It also contains animal access from the sewage to the areas. There are also instances where you can utilize self-sealing waste valves instead of liquid seal traps.

Check Your Plumbing Installations and Disinfect Them Before You Put Them Into Operation

You should test your different designs and types of plumbing systems. It would be best not to put any into service until it goes through and passes the standard testing, as required by the water, sewerage, and other agencies concerned.

Exclude Harmful Substances From Sewer

You should keep any substance that may clog or increase the chances of clogging pipes, produce explosive compounds, wear away or damage pipes or their joints, or interrupt the workings of sewer systems out of the drainage system. You must also avoid substances that could injure individuals working on the public sewer system.

Takeaway

Never take your plumbing system for granted because it can cause interruptions for your business or building operations. As a building owner or manager, you must create a contingency plan to follow when incidents happen. It would be best if you had the help of a licensed expert for such procedures and their proper implementation.

Guest Contributor: Chris Jackson