At The General Plumbing Company, we understand that in a commercial facility, effective drainage isn’t just a matter of convenience – it’s a make-or-break factor influencing safety, sanitation, operations, and costs. Our owner, Warren Ashdown, emphasizes that for retail, offices, hospitality, and institutional properties, inadequate drains can lead to flooding, contamination, and expensive repairs.
The General Plumbing Company urges property managers to prioritize drainage strategies and proactive maintenance to avoid these pitfalls. Here’s our overview of drainage functionality in commercial settings and how we can help you optimize your systems.
Drainage Protects Property
Warren Ashdown explains that drainage is the system carrying wastewater and sewage out of a building. The General Plumbing Company knows that well-designed drains is crucial because it:
- Prevents overflow flooding that damages interior finishes and inventory.
- Minimizes mould risks by evacuating water.
- Maintains critical access to bathrooms and workspaces.
- Avert sewer backups spreading into occupied areas.
- Allows convenient use of plumbing fixtures and equipment.
- Eliminates standing water slip hazards.
Our team at The General Plumbing Company has seen firsthand how property damage or uninhabitable conditions can arise quickly without functional drainage removing water.
Drainage Maintains Sanitation
In commercial spaces, The General Plumbing Company recognizes that drainage also plays a huge role in sanitation and health. Our effective drainage solutions:
- Flush away germ-laden sewage and wastewater.
- Keep bathroom facilities operational for hand washing needs.
- Remove contaminated runoff from parking lots and storm drains.
- Ensure grease traps filter cooking waste before entering sewers.
- Allow janitorial cleaning processes requiring wastewater disposal.
Warren Ashdown warns that backups, leaks, or overflowing fixtures create unsanitary environments. That’s why The General Plumbing Company emphasizes that drains are imperative for cleanliness.
Drainage Aids Operations
For certain business types, The General Plumbing Company knows that efficient drainage is directly tied to smooth operations. For example:
- Kitchens – Require copious drainage capacity to keep pace with high-volume dishwashing and sink use. Slow drains reduce output.
- Hospitals – Depend on clinical sinks functioning fully to maintain rapid patient care. Clogs are unacceptable.
- Industrial – Adequate floor and equipment drains prevent spills from impeding manufacturing workflows.
- Convention Centers – High attendance events mandate huge drainage capacity supporting bathrooms and food service.
The General Plumbing Company ensures adequate drainage design so properties can focus on core operations rather than plumbing bottlenecks.
Consequences of Poor Drainage
Warren Ashdown and The General Plumbing Company have seen that neglecting drain needs in a commercial property leads to both immediate and long-term consequences:
- Plumbing Shutdowns – Clogged drains bring plumbing to a standstill. Without functioning sinks or toilets, properties can’t support occupants and must close.
- Costly Flood Damage – Drain backups and sewer overflows create a soggy, contaminated mess requiring extensive restoration. Mould remediation alone can cost tens of thousands.
- Slips and Falls – Standing water from clogged drains creates slippery conditions resulting in liability claims.
- Foul Odors & Illness – Unhygienic buildup in stagnant drains harbours bacteria and creates nauseating smells.
- Rodents & Pests – Backups attract insects and vermin spreading disease.
- Inefficient Operations – Slow drains impede workflows and tie up staff unclogging drains rather than working.
The General Plumbing Company has seen how both building users and managers pay the price for deficient drainage.
Drainage System Setup
The General Plumbing Company customizes well-planned drainage for each commercial property based on:
- Occupancy – More occupants equals greater sewage volumes. Public assembly buildings need heavy drainage.
- Water Usage – Properties like restaurants and laundromats using more water need bigger drains.
- Waste Production – Grease, chemicals, and solids dictate required pre-treatment before sewer discharge.
- Municipal Sewer Capacity – Local infrastructure must handle increased loads from large properties.
Warren Ashdown notes that insufficient drains spawn headaches, while oversized drainage wastes money. The General Plumbing Company designs the ideal system that balances drain needs with sewer capabilities.
Key Drain Components
The General Plumbing Company ensures commercial drainage functions thanks to:
- Main Drain Lines – Large buried pipes remove high sewage volumes from the building and move them to municipal connections. Proper slope facilitates gravity flow.
- Fixture Drains – Smaller drain lines from individual sinks, toilets, and other fixtures feed into main drains.
- Traps – Curved sections of pipe underneath fixtures hold water to block sewer gas odour from entering occupied areas.
- Vents – Vertical vent stacks release sewer gases outside while maintaining proper air pressure for drainage flow.
- Cleanouts – Strategically placed removable caps allow rodding access to clear blockages.
- Grease Interceptors – Fixtures like kitchen sinks route through grease traps to capture oils before entering main drains.
Routine Drainage Maintenance
The General Plumbing Company knows that daily usage inevitably causes a buildup of solid waste, biomatter like hair and grease, and mineral deposits forming blockages. That’s why we offer regular maintenance:
- Drain Rodding – Snaking mechanically scrapes and clears interior drain walls.
- Hydro Jetting – High-pressure water blasts clear stubborn obstructions.
- Camera Inspection – Scopes examine drain conditions to target cleaning.
- Enzyme Dosing – Bacterial enzymes digest grease and organic waste.
- Trenching – Exposing and clearing buried exterior drainage lines.
Warren Ashdown likes to say, “Just like changing a car’s oil, an ounce of prevention avoids bigger breakdowns.” Don’t wait until major clogs strike.
Prioritizing Drainage Duties with The General Plumbing Company
In commercial real estate, The General Plumbing Company believes that properly functioning drains aren’t an optional extra – it’s an imperative facility requirement. Insufficient drainage jeopardizes safety, health, and business operations. By designing robust drainage capacity and implementing ongoing maintenance, The General Plumbing Company helps facility managers protect their properties.
Don’t overlook this critical utility. Contact Warren Ashdown and The General Plumbing Company today to assess and optimize your commercial property’s drain system. Let us help you safeguard your investment and ensure smooth operations for years to come.