5 Reasons Proper Commercial Plumbing is Essential to Restaurants
Restaurants require so many elements to be great. Typically you might think of front-of-the-house operations like wait staff, hostess, customer service, etc. And back-of-the-house processes like food prep, chefs, sous chefs, and a fully functioning kitchen. However, there is also the building itself, like seating, HVAC, and commercial plumbing.
Restaurants represent an environment that needs an excellent water supply, adequate drainage, proper ventilation, and energy-efficient appliances. These help essential functions for both front- and back-of-the-house operations.
5 Essentials to Commercial Plumbing for Restaurants
One of the most common errors restaurant owners can make is overlooking the importance of a proper commercial plumbing system. Even if it’s not new, there are specific areas that could bring your restaurant business to a screeching halt. Here are five reasons, or places, that make commercial plumbing so essential.
1. New Installations
From the beginning, properly installing commercial plumbing for restaurants can set you up for success and expansion. However, restaurants follow strict specifications and regulations within it comes to setup. Otherwise, they can lose their license and cause hazardous working conditions.
So if you are building new, restaurant owners should trust commercial experts, not just your everyday home plumber. An experienced contractor can ensure the installation follows industry guidelines for commercial plumbing equipment, heaters, water supplies, and other plumbing elements.
2. Sewers and Drains
Be it new or existing, sewers and drains are essential to restaurants. Restaurants use large amounts of water, food supplies, and other packing materials, producing immense quantities of wastewater draining into the central sewer systems. Correct drainage system planning requires the wastewater to continually push out without reducing the pressure.
All the drainpipes must have proper ventilation. If not, the trapped air causes a backflow, which clogs drains, and wastewater is all over your restaurant floor. In addition, sewers need cleaning regularly; a service plan must be designed and established to keep repairs to a minimum.
3. Grease Traps
Grease traps are among the most important parts of commercial restaurant plumbing installs and services. These devices are also known as grease intercepts, intended to trap solid waste from entering traditional wastewater disposal systems. Restaurant wastewater contains large amounts of solid waste due to food and oily ingredients.
The separated waste can be treated or discharged through a particular sewer separate from the other drainage systems on the premises. In addition, grease traps ensure that commercial plumbing is not clogged and eventually damaged with waste deposits.
Separating this layer in a restaurant is crucial because regular waste treatment facilities cannot handle a concentrated scum layer. In addition, untreated wastewater is a legal issue and out of compliance with OSHA standards and could cause your business to be interrupted.
4. Gas Lines for Kitchen
Commercial plumbing includes the supporting gas lines for current kitchen needs and future extensions. Gas cooking equipment remains the choice for most restaurants and food service operators in commercial kitchens, and safe gas connections and gas burners are fundamental.
Commercial kitchen planners will categorize cooking equipment as stationary or movable. It’s crucial to prioritize safety, serviceability, and mobility for the gas cookline. Properly cleaning and servicing equipment, appliance mobility, and positioning are required.
Codes and product standards include commercial-grade flexible gas connectors for all gas appliances in a commercial kitchen. Hard piped connections are impractical for movement, and this immobility increases the build-up of oil and grease and the chance of fire. In addition, the connector is often a forgotten specification item that must be noticed or cited during inspections.
5. Plumbing Maintenance and Repairs
Plumbing repairs are essential to restaurants because of extensive water supply and gas uses, and breakdowns will happen. Consistent water use will reduce water pressure and create leaky water fixtures. In addition, grease trap treatments prevent odors inside the drains and break down stuck debris.
Best practices for commercial kitchens are through maintenance of your drains. Maintenance includes sink strainers, drain basket strainers, snaking the drains, regular water jetting, and treating your drains with microbial solutions. These maintenance tips are paramount because grease and debris will harden, so pipes are removed and cleaned physically.
Commercial Plumbers will ensure proper gas piping installation and run multiple tests to guarantee the pipes have appropriate pressure. The adequate function requires the tightening of all valves. Strict work standards are required in commercial plumbing to maintain legal compliance, hygiene, and safety in the work environment. Hiring a licensed commercial plumber for repairs will maintain productivity and performance.
The Severn Group Can Help Your Restaurant
Hiring a commercial plumbing contractor is essential for the best plumbing services for restaurants. The Severn Group offers an array of plumbing and mechanical services and has supported many projects within the commercial food industry. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us online or by phone. We can help you plan, install, and maintain ongoing service.