Why it’s Important for Companies to Maintain their Drains

There are many ways in which a blocked or leaking drain can destroy your property or surrounding land. Leaks could cause ceilings to fall down and blockages can cause pipes to burst over time. The best way to prevent this from happening is to ensure your drains are well maintained all year round.

Maintaining Drains

The importance of commercial drain maintenance

There aren’t many places where water won’t collect or seep into, so no matter how watertight you think your building is, it most likely isn’t. Water can cause catastrophic damage to company premises, as well as the land it sits on. Water can even ruin building foundations over a prolonged period of time, and often, you won’t even be aware that there is a problem.

A leak or burst pipe can cause damp, and subsequently mould, to develop on the walls and ceilings of your property, thus causing a health and safety risk. This could cause your company to close for a day or so while the mould is safely and promptly removed. However, this doesn’t mean that your problem has gone away completely. You must then look into the cause of the damp, otherwise the mould could soon return.

Water which collects outside a property can wreak havoc on the surrounding area. Once beautiful, well-kempt grassy fields and gardens will become a plain of mud and sludge. Concreted areas will retain surface water, which is a health and safety risk in itself, but this will freeze during the winter months, causing the formation of ice, which is also dangerous for employees and visitors to your premises.

Water damage can have a detrimental effect on your business. Poor drainage and leaking or blocked pipework must be repaired or replaced to prevent the slow destruction of your building and its grounds. If the problem begins to worsen, your company may need to close for as long as a few weeks while the drainage experts fix the issue or replace the pipes.

Signs that you may have a drainage problem

It’s not always easy to identify a drainage problem, especially when it’s in the early stages. If you suspect that a problem has occurred, such as a blocked or leaking pipe, it’s important to look out for particular signs so the issue can be resolved as quickly as possible before the situation begins to worsen.

Gushing gutters – this is most likely to be the cause during the late autumn to early winter months when the majority of tree leaves have fallen. These can collect in gutters and block the flow of the drain. Simply call a professional to unblock and clear all debris from your drain, thus allowing for a smooth waterflow. It may even be worth cutting down overhanging branches to reduce the amount of foliage that collects in the gutter.

Vertical streaks of dirt or peeling paint – along with mud splatters, these are obvious signs that you have a drainage problem and are often caused by overflowing or gushing gutters. To prevent further damage, have the gutter cleared by a professional and ensure it’s well maintained.

Water stains in basements or cellars – many professional buildings come with a basement. Whether it’s used for storage or as a common room or eating area for employees to relax, the signs of a drainage problem can crop up here, too. Depending on where a water stain decides to present itself, you should be able to tell if it’s being caused by either surface water or underground water flow. Neither situation is ideal, but it’s recommended that you call in a professional to inspect the stains, thus determining the cause.

Erosion against your foundation – if your building has a foundation slab, inspect it, along with any soil or flower beds that are nearby and take note of the soil’s condition. You should then wait for it to rain before checking it again. After a downpour, go and inspect the foundation again, if any of the following have occurred, you may have a drainage problem:

Water filling up against the foundation
Water which is washing soil away
Water which has pooled and remains that way for a considerable period of time

This can be extremely dangerous, as the added water can put significant pressure on the foundation, eventually causing it to crack. Not only this, but it could also cause the soil underneath the foundation to dampen, subsequently causing more problems.

Flaking walls, bubbling wallpaper, brown patches or white/grey crust on walls – white/grey crust on walls is a sign of efflorescence; this is where mineral deposits have been left behind by water which has evaporated. Walls that begin to flake off in large patches have become a victim of spalling; this is where water has penetrated through brick, concrete or natural stone – this could also be the cause of bubbling wallpaper. Damp can cause brown patches to form, and must be dealt with swiftly to avoid further damage.

Cracking sheetrock – this may not be a simple matter of your foundation settling, as is the common misconception here. This could be a sign of an unstable foundation, caused by wet soil. This hints at a problem with your outdoor drainage system, so get a professional in to determine the cause and work out a solution for you.

Floors that are starting to bow – this is particularly the case with wooden floors and can occur as a result of water penetrating through building materials. Floors that are tiled or covered in lino are also susceptible to life or come loose, causing further damage. It could also mean that doors won’t sit or close properly in their frames.

Persistent puddles – it’s only natural that water will collect after a rain shower. However, if these continue to be there for long, dry periods afterwards, then it could be a sign that you have a drainage problem. The grounds your building is sat on should drain quickly and efficiently to prevent a buildup of water. Therefore, if a considerable amount of water puddles up, a professional will need to be called in order to determine the problem and offer a suitable solution.

How Power Rod can help you

Our professionals here at Power Rod are fully trained, highly experienced drainage specialists, promising fast and reliable response times and excellent results. No matter what the problem is with your drainage system, we’ll be able to help – we even have an emergency drainage callout service.

Our drainage services:

From small-scale problems to large-scale commercial issues, we’re proud to offer our customers suitable, reliable solutions.

If you’d like more information about our drainage services, including commercial draining, get in touch with a member of our friendly, knowledgeable team today – we operate throughout Bedford, Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes, St. Albans, Stevenage and the surrounding areas.