If you own or manage a restaurant, you’re probably well aware that your plumbing system can get put through the wringer. Between grease, food debris, constant cleaning, and heavy water use, your drains have a lot to keep up with. You’ve probably dealt with your fair share of plumbing emergencies yourself that have resulted in frustration, expensive emergency repairs, and disrupted workdays.

Something like a slow drain may not seem like an emergency at first, but in a busy commercial kitchen, small plumbing problems don’t stay “small” for long. A backed-up sink or floor drain clog can quickly disrupt, or even halt, kitchen operations. As a commercial plumber in Sacramento, we know firsthand how small delays can wreak havoc on your business, as well as the customer experience you provide. 

Common Culprits of Restaurant Drain Headaches

So why do restaurant drains keep clogging, no matter what you do? Here are some of the most common culprits, and suggested remedies.

Grease Buildup

Grease, fats and oils, which restaurants run through large quantities of, can accumulate inside drain lines over time, restricting flow and giving food debris something to stick to. Your drain may still technically function, but that doesn’t mean it’s functioning well. 

The best recommendation to combat grease buildup is to schedule routine commercial drain cleaning or hydro-jetting for your restaurant. This can help remove buildup before your kitchen experiences a full blockage. The ideal frequency is often two to four times per year, but can vary based on the restaurant type and facility’s demands.

Food Debris

We all know that commercial kitchen drains see plenty of food waste. Even with good kitchen protocols and drain screens, small particles can unfortunately make their way into the plumbing system. Combine debris with grease and soap residue, and you have a pretty good recipe for a clogged drain… and this isn’t the kind of recipe your restaurant wants!

Floor Drain Backups

If your restaurant floor drain keeps backing up, the problem may not actually be at the floor drain. A restriction located farther down the drain or sewer line can cause wastewater to come back up at the lowest point.

If you’re experiencing a recurring backup, it’s time to find out what’s happening below the surface. Scheduling a commercial plumbing inspection can verify the origin of the blockage and give you an accurate assessment of what’s happening in your pipes. Our commercial plumbers at Cooper Oates can provide a camera sewer inspection and visual evaluation of your plumbing system, and provide options for maintenance, repair, and replacement if needed.

Slow Drains

Think of a slow drain as your plumbing system’s warning light. Grease and debris can gradually restrict the inside of a pipe long before it becomes completely blocked. Therefore, addressing slow drainage early can save you from dealing with a much larger, and messier, problem during critical operating hours.

Unpleasant Drain Odors

Nobody likes the smell of sewer or backed-up drains wafting over during dinner time. Persistent odors coming from sinks or floor drains can indicate buildup or another drainage problem that deserves attention. Covering up the smell won’t solve what’s happening inside the pipe, so it’s important to have a commercial plumber take a look at what’s really happening.

Clogs That Keep Coming Back

Has the same drain been cleared three times and somehow keeps clogging again? Simply opening a blockage doesn’t mean the pipe is clean. Commercial hydro-jetting uses high-pressure water to remove buildup from inside drain lines. For restaurant plumbing systems dealing with grease and debris, this can provide a more thorough cleaning than repeatedly addressing the same blockage.  

Cooper Oates can pride hydro-jetting and thorough drain cleaning for restaurant facilities throughout the Sacramento region.

Deferred Plumbing Maintenance

Restaurant owners have plenty enough to worry about, so we understandable that plumbing maintenance can fall into the “out of sight, out of mind” category. However, waiting for a backup to remind you about your drains can be quite pricey. Emergency repairs, lost operating time and an unusable kitchen can cost substantially more than scheduling routine maintenance. 

Think of it like a regular health check-up on your plumbing system: preventative care now can avoid serious problems in the future, just like going to the doctor for your annual physical.

The Bottom Line: How Often Should Restaurant Drains Be Cleaned? 

Plumbing maintenance for restaurants isn’t a one-size-fits-all: A high-volume commercial kitchen producing significant grease and food waste will have different needs than a small cafe. 

The important part is paying attention to what your plumbing system is telling you: Frequent clogs, slow drainage, odors and recurring backups are all signs that your current maintenance schedule may need adjusting. 

Commercial Restaurant Plumbing Services in Sacramento 

At Cooper Oates, we help restaurants and commercial facilities throughout Sacramento stay ahead of plumbing problems with commercial plumbing maintenance & service including hydro-jetting, drain cleaning, sewer camera inspections, pipe and fixture repairs, water heater service and planned plumbing maintenance agreements. 

Our commercial plumbers are available for 24/7/365 emergency plumbing service, so your facility can receive a quick response at any hour of the day. Contact Cooper Oates today or call 916-381-4611 to schedule commercial plumbing service in Sacramento.