0800 030 6020
Maintenance of commercial drainage systems is key in protecting your business operations; it helps shield you from costly disruptions and can ensure you comply with the UK’s environmental and health regulations.
Best practices for maintaining commercial drainage systems, therefore, include implementing a planned, preventive maintenance schedule, regular CCTV drain surveys, professional drain cleaning, and responding quickly to early signs of damage or blockages.
Adopting a proactive approach, rather than a reactive one, allows commercial property owners and facilities managers to reduce emergency callouts, extend the lifespan of their drainage infrastructure and protect their premises from flooding.
At Express Drainage Surveys, we support businesses in the UK with advanced CCTV drain surveys, so this month we’re taking a closer look at the best practices you should deploy for your commercial drains.
Because of their very nature, commercial drains are often under significantly heavier usage than domestic ones. Restaurants, office buildings, warehouses, retail parks and industrial facilities all generate high volumes of wastewater on a daily basis. This, over time, creates a strain and an increased likelihood of blockages, pipe degradation and structural failure.
If your commercial drains fail, the consequences can be quite dire and include:
There is also a legal and environmental responsibility for businesses here in the UK to maintain their drains. The Environment Agency monitors environmental protection and pollution incidents, handing out fines and enforcement actions where necessary.
In addition, the Health and Safety Executive requires employers to keep working environments safe, which means avoiding preventable hazards such as flooding and sewage backups.
All of the above means proper maintenance for commercial drains is not optional; it’s critical for responsible asset management.
One of the most effective things you can do in terms of best practice for maintaining commercial drainage systems is arranging a planned preventative maintenance schedule – also known as PPM. This means that, rather than waiting for the next blockage to occur, your PPM strategy will already have identified and eliminated the potential buildup through cleaning before it can escalate.
How frequently you have a professional visit will depend on a number of factors, including:
As a general rule of thumb, most low-demand commercial properties will only need an inspection once per year. Restaurants and food production sites will often benefit from biannual or quarterly checkups. For high-risk environments, a more frequent jetting and inspection schedule should be applied.
We can assist with a tailored maintenance schedule for your business based on the property and operational demands, giving you evidential reporting to support any audit and insurance documentation for compliance.
A CCTV drain survey is the cornerstone of modern commercial drainage maintenance. Using high-resolution cameras that we insert directly into your drainage system, our specialists can then inspect the internal pipework without any excavation.
When we conduct a commercial CCTV drain survey, we will assess your system for:
This technology is invaluable when it comes to checking for recurring blockages, explaining foul odours and pre-lease or pre-purchase property assessments. It can even still be valuable after a flooding incident to help clear the system and prevent the issue in the future.
Fat, oil and grease (FOG) is one of the leading causes of commercial drainage blockages in the UK, especially for hospitality venues. When these materials get washed down sinks, they then cool and solidify within the pipework, gradually restricting flow over time.
Restaurants, cafes, takeaway, food production facilities and hotels with commercial kitchens are the most commonly at risk. Poor FOG management results in severe blockages, sewer overflows and even potential environmental incidents. For this reason, businesses are encouraged by local water authorities to use grease management systems to prevent sewer misuse.
The following are four ways you can introduce best practices to your business:
Should you neglect your commercial drainage infrastructure, it can have far-reaching financial implications. Aside from the immediate cost of emergency repairs in the moment, your business could face:
Any reactive excavation work is obviously disruptive and costly. By contrast, planning inspections and preventative cleaning gives you a clear, budgetable service and lower risk.
Remember, your drains may be a hidden asset, but when they do fail, the impact is highly visible to staff, guests, the public and the authorities.
Whether you have a simple site or a complex commercial drainage system with a chequered history, the team here at Express Drainage Surveys is here to support you. We partner with commercial businesses and premises to deliver professional drainage surveys conducted by expert engineers.
As part of what we offer, you can make use of a wide range of our services for businesses to maintain your drains, including:
Rather than waiting for the worst to happen, contact us today and speak to our team about creating a regular cleaning and inspection schedule for your commercial drainage system in the UK.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver personalised ads. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
