There aren’t many businesses today which do not have a disaster recovery plan in place which will enable them to continue business as usual following a disruptive IT failure.
Similarly, most businesses know only too well what damage a fire can do so hold regular fire and safety drills in order that staff are fully aware of what to do in the event of an outbreak in the building. But how many companies are aware of the damage that their drainage system can do if it is not properly maintained?
It’s often the case of out of sight out of mind. But it should never be so. Water leakages can cause dampness and mould to form on walls posing pollution as well as a health and safety risk; whilst blockages can cause pipes to burst to result in flooding and, if bad enough, a possible ceiling collapse. The subsequent office closure will inevitably impact the bottom line, but none of this needs to happen if a company’s drainage system is professionally inspected and maintained on a regular basis.
What responsibility does a business have for its drainage?
There are, fortunately, clear guidelines in place when it comes to understanding who is responsible for a drainage system, but they can sometimes be misunderstood.
In short, all businesses are responsible for the drains, pipes and gutters on their own premises. So, if your company has a blocked toilet, blocked sink, foul-smelling drains, damp walls, or overflowing gutters, due to falling leaves, it is up to the company itself to correct it. If you are renting office space in a building then it is the responsibility of the landlord to deal with the problem. Everything outside of the company’s premises is either the responsibility of the local water authority or the local council.
What should I do when there is a problem?
Prevention is always better than the cure, but if your business has a water, sewerage or drainage problem it’s best to call in a professionally qualified contractor. The costs of any inspection or work carried out will be incurred by the business.
The importance of regular maintenance of your business drainage system
The frequency of drainage maintenance depends on the nature of the business and the use of the drainage system itself. For instance, the hospitality and food manufacturing sectors will have deposits of fat and greater use of their drains than perhaps an office irrespective of its size.
Ideally, like any car, a normal business drainage system should be inspected and maintained at least once a year. For those businesses with greater pressure on their drainage system, quarterly maintenance would be advisable.
Regular maintenance of a company’s drainage system is essential because sewerage water can leak anywhere. It can not only harm, or flood a company premises, but it can cause damage to the land upon which it is built. Over time poor drainage can eat away at building foundations and often, no one will even know that there is a problem until the subsidence becomes evident.
How can a business best maintain its drainage system?
Drainage systems are meant to carry waste and surface water away from your premises into the main council line. It is therefore important that water is allowed to flow freely through the underground network of pipes to prevent any blockages. Unfortunately, because the pipes are underground it is difficult to know what is happening with them and what problems may lie ahead. Pipes can be adversely affected by all manner of debris, tree roots, limescale, and silt so in order to prevent any problems with the drainage system it is advisable to have it regularly serviced. Regular monitoring and maintenance will reduce the chance of damage and blockages and help to avoid costly repairs down the line.
Problems are often exacerbated in cold weather so it would be prudent to allow a professional contractor to undertake a CCTV inspection of the drainage system to detect and diagnose any possible faults such as blockages, collapsed or cracked pipes before they become a problem and have to be repaired or replaced.
The office manager has an important role to play when it comes to avoiding blocked drains, toilets and sinks. If he or she can make all staff aware that it is inappropriate to flush sanitary products, wipes, food, fat and grease down the loo, sinks or drains then it will help to prevent them from becoming blocked.
Water damage, flooding, blocked or leaking pipes will all upset our daily business routine. The best option to avoid or resolve any of these problems is to work with a highly qualified, professional contractor such as RWB Group.
Contact RWB Group UK for Drain Maintenance
Understanding your drainage systems and the conditions is vital, especially for businesses. If you need a specialist to take care of all of your commercial and industrial drainage requirements, RWB Group UK has worked with a wide range of sectors and we can provide a wide range of drainage and wastewater management services.
Call us on 0800 488 0658 or you can get a quote here.
