4 Most Common Restaurant Plumbing Issues

Anyone who has managed or worked in a restaurant knows that it is one of the most stressful work environments around. There is constant moving in the kitchen and rarely a moment to catch your breath. This can make it difficult to make sure that all the restaurant’s plumbing is properly functioning from day to day. 

Our Fontana commercial plumbing team has years of experience fixing all types of plumbing issues and mishaps that occur in restaurants. We deal with small and large scale commercial establishments alike so there is no need to worry if you run a large restaurant — we will easily handle any plumbing problem that comes our way!

Keep reading to learn about 4 of the most common restaurant plumbing issues and how our team can help fix them. 

1. Clogged Drains

The sinks in restaurant kitchens will inevitably have a large amount of food waste, soap, and other bits of waste washed down them. Most kitchens will have multiple large scale industrial sinks to hold dishes and large stove parts that require regular cleaning. These sinks will have large drains that allow a lot of debris to pass through and clog further down in the drain. If the sinks in a restaurant kitchen are not properly looked after, it can result in regular clogs and blockages that will obstruct water flow and impede the general use of the sink.

When grease and oils are sent down kitchen sinks, they also contribute greatly to clogs and can damage the overall condition of your restaurant’s plumbing system. Due to the high volume of oils and grease used in restaurants, these types of blockages are much more common and regular than you would expect from the average household.

While some clogs can be fixed by simply snaking the drain, we recommend hydro jetting your commercial kitchen sinks. We believe this is the most effective and safest way to clear drains quickly and thoroughly. A hydro jet uses forceful water pressure to break down debris inside the drain and push it through the pipes so that it flows into the public sewer system. Your restaurant’s pipes should drain perfectly once our professional team has hydro jetted its plumbing system.

Liquid drain cleaners should not be used because they are harmful both to the pipes and to those who might be breathing in the fumes caused by the unknown mix of chemicals. This is especially true for commercial settings where food is in the immediate vicinity. Hydro jetting only uses water pressure, which means your restaurant will maintain a healthy environment while being far more effective than liquid drain cleaners.

Also read our article on Clogged Drain? Here’s What Plumbers Suggest You Do

2. Issues with the Gas Lines

Keeping your restaurant’s gas lines well maintained is essential not only for the functioning of the kitchen, but also for safety reasons. A problem with your gas lines can be a serious safety risk and might even result in severe injuries to your staff and customers as well as property damage. To avoid this danger, it is vital that you have a reliable Fontana plumber who can perform regular safety checks on the gas lines and carry out any necessary maintenance or repairs as soon as it arises. 

3. Toilet Clogs

With customers coming in and out of your restaurant every day, it is only normal that your bathroom facilities will have a lot of traffic and clogs will occur. This is not only because of the amount of use, but also because some customers will flush sanitary products or other items down the toilet instead of binning them. This will cause a serious blockage, which can be a major sanitation problem.

When you constantly have to unclog your restaurant’s toilets, it is a sign that there is an obstruction further down the pipe that must be dealt with. Try to call a plumber as soon as possible or you might face sewage backing up into the bathroom. This is a serious sanitation issue for any commercial space, but especially for restaurants.

You should also aim to be proactive about this issue. You can hang up signs asking customers to only flush toilet paper and to use the provided receptacles for anything else that might need to be disposed of. It is also a good idea to call your plumber for regular inspections and hydro jetting to ensure that the entire plumbing system is kept clean and clear of obstructions.

4. Grease Trap Overflow

Grease traps are used by restaurants to catch grease, oils, and fats so that this type of waste does not end up clogging the main sewer line. However, it is essential that the grease trap is regularly cleaned and maintenance is also kept up with. Otherwise, you might have to deal with an overflowing grease trap that not only floods your restaurant’s kitchen with old grease and fat, but also allows grease to enter into the sewer line.

Most professionals advocate for grease traps to be emptied when the trap becomes a quarter-full. This ensures that there is no risk of clogs or grease floods so that your restaurant can continue to function at full capacity. Just remember to keep on top of the maintenance schedule and no major mishaps will happen!

If you require a Fontana restaurant plumber, look no further than Bobby Blue Plumbing. Our team is dedicated to setting your plumbing right and making sure that your kitchen is fully functioning as quickly as possible. We understand how important it is for your business’s success and that’s why we focus on providing an efficient service with long-lasting solutions.