Most people probably don’t give much thought to the commercial sewer pipe in their business premises. However, a sewer piper is a vital part of the plumbing system, and it’s worth being aware of the signs that it might be clogged.

What are the causes of a clogged commercial sewer pipe?

There are various reasons why your sewer pipe might be blocked, and being aware of these causes can help you prevent them.

Grease poured down the drain

This can be a problem in commercial kitchens or restaurants, where staff might routinely pour food waste into the drain. Of course, a significant proportion of that food waste will be in the form of fats and grease, which can sit in the pipe and harden when it cools down.

Rather than pouring fats and oils down the drain, put them into a disposable container. Once the container is full, you can throw it away. Clearground can manage and dispose of your waste oil and fat collections as part of a PPM contract, keeping your drains clean and running freely.

Debris flushed down the toilet

Some people use toilets to get rid of the type of waste they should be putting in a bin. They think that just because the water flushes it away out of sight, it is completely gone. However, it can easily accumulate in the sewer pipes and end up causing a blockage. So, keep the toilet only for human waste and toilet paper. The 3 P’s!

Feminine hygiene products, nappies and paper towels should neve be disposed of in the toilet. Clearground can provide regular collections of these special wastes, easily and cheaply, installing waste specific containers to help with segregation.

Tree roots

For trees to grow, the roots search out any water source they can find. The problem is that this can sometimes mean they latch onto a sewer pipe. Over time, the roots will extend towards the moisture within the pipe and can end up growing inside it. This can eventually lead to a blockage and might even break the pipe. Regular cleaning and maintenance of your drains can reduce these blockages, using root cutters, robotic cutter and high pressure jetting, dislodging new roots before they take hold.

Signs your commercial sewer pipe is blocked

Although blocked sewer pipes can cause a real problem for your business, you can minimise the damage by knowing the signs to look out for.

Plumbing fixtures smell of sewage

If you notice a strong sewage smell coming from your plumbing fixtures, this likely means that there is a block in your main sewer pipe. This needs to be urgently fixed as it could mean that germs and raw sewage could be coming into your building via the pipes, which can be a severe health hazard.

Slow drainage and frequent drain backups

If your drains seem to take a long time to drain water, this could indicate that the system is clogged somewhere. But another sign is if the drains frequently back up. That means everything is not flowing through as it should, and the sewer pipe needs to be cleared.

Strange reactions with plumbing fixtures

If your plumbing fixtures are reacting strangely, this can indicate a sewer pipe blockage. For example, your washing machine might be slow to drain, or your dishwasher might be functioning oddly. You might even see water bubbling or gurgling in your toilet bowl.

If you notice any signs that your commercial sewer pipe might be blocked, you need to call out a professional sewer pipe cleaning service. Clearground is one company that really knows everything there is to know about cleaning sewers and drains and is sure to clear out whatever blockages your commercial sewer pipe might have.