Category: Plumbing

Plumbing systems are critical to commercial facility operations. They are responsible for much of the health, safety, and sanitization of your building. At a time when sanitization standards are most stringent, it’s important for businesses to invest in the maintenance of their plumbing system as a whole. 

 

If you’ve considered upgrading your plumbing to a more sustainable model, now is the time to do so. There are plenty of cost-saving technologies on the market that can help your building reduce its environmental impact. Not only will this make your facility a cleaner place to work, but it can result in long-term cost savings. 

 

What Is Sustainable Plumbing?

Sustainable plumbing is the implementation of plumbing installations and services that can serve a building for short- and long-term goals. These goals should not only include those of the business itself but larger environmental goals for resource conservation and protection of the local environment. To create a sustainable plumbing plan, your system should be: 

 

• Healthy: Sustainable plumbing puts an emphasis on health standards both for the tenants of the building and the local environment. 
• Energy-efficient: A sustainable plumbing system is energy-efficient to reduce the building’s environmental impact and reduce costs. 
• Resource-efficient: Reduction in water usage is just as important as the reduction of electrical power. Technologies such as low-flow faucets and tankless water heaters are the first steps to drastically reducing your building’s water consumption.
• Durable: A sustainable system must also outlast a traditional system with minimal repairs. By choosing appliances, fixtures, and equipment that is built to last, you can reduce the number of replacement parts your plumbing system will need over time. 
• Cost-effective: In order to encourage businesses to switch, a truly sustainable plumbing system will reduce costs instead of increasing them. 

 

Steps Toward a Sustainable Future

Sustainable plumbing is all about reducing the need for resources while maintaining strict health and safety standards. Some of the ways in which our clients achieve these goals include: 

 

• Installing Energy-STAR appliances and fixtures
• Using waterless urinals and other appliances when possible 
• Replacing insulation to reduce leaks and energy use for hot water
• Treat wastewater properly and recycle when possible
• Schedule preventative maintenance services to improve the efficiency of your plumbing
• Installing solar or tankless hot water heaters
• Smart irrigation systems for landscaping

 

There are many other ways to make your plumbing system as a whole more sustainable. To learn more about your facility’s specific options, contact us today!

Environmental consciousness is a big topic in today’s industries. Not only is this value an important part of our duty to the community, but in many ways, it can help businesses reduce their long-term facility costs. The less you use, the less you spend, which is why MaintenX encourages all of our clients to work on creating eco-friendly facility systems throughout. One of the easiest ways to do this is by implementing environmentally friendly plumbing. 

 

Below are five different ways your facility can reduce water usage and improve the efficiency of your plumbing. Have questions? Contact your local MaintenX team about installation options for these green technologies. 

 

Install an energy-efficient water heater. 

Water heaters use quite a bit of energy in commercial settings, especially if the unit is older or out of date. This can not only increase your water usage, but will increase your energy bill if left alone. MaintenX offers several different installation options for tankless and energy-efficient hot water heater options for commercial facilities.

 

Insulate Your pipes

In most commercial buildings in the Northern United States, people insulate their pipes to prevent freezing. However, this practice can be brought to any facility to improve energy efficiency and reduce water loss through leaks. When you insulate your pipes, they are protected from damage caused by roots and chewing pests that often lead to your most problematic leaks. Plus, insulation will minimize the time it takes for water to heat up when using faucets, which will reduce water usage in bathrooms and facility kitchens. 

 

Install low-flow faucets and other bathroom fixtures

Low-flow toilets, sinks, and other appliances are a great way to minimize water usage in your facility. Depending on the size of the building, you could be using twice as much water as a residential building in the bathroom alone. Low-flow toilets and faucets are a simple way to cut back on water consumption without having to make major changes to your plumbing. 

 

Eco-friendly landscaping irrigation

Landscaping accounts for nearly 30% of water usage in America, and the primary culprit is commercial landscaping. While you still want to maintain a healthy and lush outdoor area, there are ways to reduce your water usage by installing efficient irrigation systems. Drip systems and eco-friendly sprinklers will optimize watering to ensure only the needed amount is used. You won’t have to worry about over-watering or wasting water with these systems in place. 

 

A leak monitoring device 

Water leaks are detrimental to these eco-friendly plumbing measures. Unfortunately, they can be hard to detect until significant water damage is caused. MaintenX recommends installing a leak monitoring system to help identify these issues and repair them as soon as possible. This will significantly reduce water waste and keep your bills under control. 

The life of a plumber may not seem glamorous, but at MaintenX we consider them to be heroes. When our clients have a plumbing disaster that’s preventing them from keeping their doors open, our plumbing team is onsite and ready to serve. That is why we are always excited when someone expresses an interest in this field. However, if you’re interested in becoming a plumber, there are a few things you should know before you begin your education. 

 

Job Duties and Salary of a Plumber

Plumbers are responsible for installing and repairing anything having to do with the plumbing system of a home or commercial facility. This includes not only the pipes and visible components (such as faucets and sinks), but any electrical or mechanical component connecting them. From the drain to the city line, plumbers handle it all. Some of the everyday job duties include: 

 

• Preparing the layout of a new construction plumbing system
• Measuring, marking, cutting, and bending pipes
• Install pipes, valves, fittings, and appliances
• Installing and repairing water heaters, toilets, sinks, and other appliances connected to the plumbing system
• Backflow testing 
• Welding 

 

Plumbing is often considered a “dirty job,” since you’ll be climbing under houses and dealing with water and sewage supplies. That is why it pays upward of $60K per year on average. Most licensed and insured plumbers can start making $30K – $40K and work their way up.

 

How to Become a Plumber

Most plumbers start their training in a technical school. You need to be licensed and insured to practice legally, so getting your certification from an accredited technical school is a must. Most plumbers also complete an apprenticeship, which requires hands-on experience with a company before you can work for yourself or be hired by a company. 

 

Luckily, most technical schools will help you start your apprenticeship before you even graduate so you can get on-the-job experience right away. This will help you learn as you go and be prepared for the demands of the work. Whether you want to specialize in home or commercial work, this time is critical in your education and professional development. 

 

Once you have completed your degree and apprenticeship, you can get licensed in your state and begin working! Once you reach this stage, contact your local MaintenX to find job openings for entry-level plumbing positions. We offer incredible benefits, a competitive salary, and one of the best work environments you’ll find in the industry. 

 

Get your plumbing career off the ground with MaintenX! You can contact us or visit our careers page for more information. 

Plumbing maintenance is one of the wisest investments a facility manager can make to preserve their building and its performance. Without clean pipes and a healthy water system, your building is susceptible to major shutdowns, contamination, and so much worse. If you take a few steps to prevent plumbing issues, you’ll save your facility thousands of dollars in expensive repairs. 

 

One of those preventative maintenance tasks is professional drain cleaning. The drains in your restrooms or commercial kitchen are constantly experiencing wear and tear. If they are not cleaned regularly, you could experience a backed-up drain or a pipe burst. These can lead to water damage to the entire facility if you’re not careful. Professional pipe cleaning also helps reduce water usage, as your system will have to use less water to get past clogs in the drain. 

 

In commercial kitchens, drain cleaning is often required for sanitary purposes. Your food waste often goes down the drain whether you want it to nor not. If left untreated, a clogged drain can lead to a restaurant shut down. Contaminated water or a burst pipe is no option when you’re running a busy restaurant or food service facility. By caring for your pipes with professional drain cleaning, you can avoid costly emergency services in your off-hours. 

 

Why Call A Professional?

 

You might ask yourself, “Why can’t I simply use a home drain cleaning chemical for my commercial pipes? That would be cheaper and faster than a professional service.” While drain cleaning products may be affordable and fast, they are not recommended for commercial applications in almost all circumstances. 

 

These chemical-based cleaners can cause your pipes to corrode over time. They are not ideal for residential use either; however, residential repairs are much more affordable than commercial plumbing maintenance. If you destroy your building’s pipes with chemical cleaners, you’ll have a hefty repair bill in the future. 

 

Professional Drain Cleaning Options

 

Most professional drain cleaning services involve either a snaking service or hydro jetting. Hydro jetting is the process of flushing pressurized water through the drain to break up and unclog debris from pipes. This process is typically considered more effective than snaking because it can break up larger debris including tree roots and grease. However, it is not suitable for older plumbing systems. Talk to your MaintenX plumber to learn about the professional drain cleaning options that are best suited for your system. 

 

MaintenX offers preventative care services to ensure your facility is always running at peak performance. To learn more about our plumbing repair and preventative maintenance services, contact us today!

Hurricane season is fast approaching the Florida coast, which means that facility managers need to start prepping for the rainy season. Windows, roof, and yes, even your plumbing needs protection before a storm. Plumbing systems can become flooded or blocked with debris if a storm is serious. By investing in preventative care, you can avoid costly emergency services on your plumbing system. 

 

We’ve weathered through the worst of storms at MainteX. Our brave technicians have helped citizens and business owners recover after storms like Hurricane Michael and Irma in the past. We promise to help your facility in the upcoming hurricane season with these preparedness tips for your plumbing system:

 

Clean drains and gutters

One of the biggest risks for plumbing during a hurricane is flooding. When the storm surge comes, the pipes can overflow, and when it goes back, all the debris that was washed away during the storm goes down the pipes. This puts your system at greater risk for broken pipes or major blockages. Prevent this by scheduling a hydro-jetting service and gutter cleaning before summer begins. 

 

Inspect plumbing

If your plumbing system is aged or blocked when the storm season begins, you’re more likely to face the repercussions. By scheduling an inspection with your MaintenX plumber, however, you can repair any damaged pipes before they become emergent. We recommend scheduling this service as early as possible in the spring to avoid issues during Florida’s rainy season. 

 

Turn off the hot water heater and main water value before evacuation

If the storm is severe, you should receive several days’ notice to allow employees and tenants to evacuate. If you choose to evacuate, it is best to turn off the hot water and main water lines beforehand. This prevents flooding and water contamination and can be easily turned back on once you’ve returned. Talk to your plumber about this option, however, because it may not be necessary for your facility depending on its location and size. 

 

MaintenX believes that preparedness is the best solution for hurricanes. To learn more about our preventative and emergency maintenance services, contact us today. 

Most of us are familiar with the water heater tank that’s in our facility or home. These massive hot water heaters are difficult to repair, take up a lot of space, and can be detrimental to your facility operations if they malfunction. Most of us simply accept the risks, but new technologies have allowed for the tankless water heater, or instant water heater, to take the place of this outdated machine. 

 

As the name suggests, instant water heaters don’t have a storage of hot water to supply to your building. Instead, they heat the water as they pass through the system, much like your HVAC unit cools the air as it passes through. This advanced hot water heating system has several advantages and is what we typically recommend for hot water heater replacements. Here’s why: 

 

Instant water heaters are safer

Though rare, hot water heaters can explode or flood your facility if they are not maintained. While you can avoid this complication through regular preventative care, the tankless hot water heater doesn’t come with any of these risks to begin with. If you’ve ever had a hot water heater malfunction at your facility, you know why this is number one on our list of advantages of the tankless water heater. 

 

Instant water heaters are environmentally-friendly

Many businesses are making the switch to energy-efficient appliances to help reduce their environmental impact. This not only provides benefits for your local community but can help you earn rebates from local and federal incentive programs. Instant water heaters fall under this category, so check with your state to see what rebates you can earn by replacing your old tank.

 

Instant water heaters are smaller

The tankless water heater takes up significantly less space than a traditional water heater. They are typically less than one foot wide or tall. This makes them easily mistakable for a breaker box or AC unit, and they can be easily hidden out of sight. Instead of making room for giant tanks, you can put that space to use in your facility. 

 

They can help you save more on utilities

Because tankless water heaters only use energy when hot water is needed, they can save up to 30% on your monthly energy bill. Their on-demand design helps you reduce your overall hot water usage, and eliminates water waste that occurs while you’re waiting for faucets to warm up. It’s a win-win situation for your tenants and for you as the facility manager. 

 

If you are interested in installing a tankless water heater in your facility, contact MaintenX today! We provide consultation to help you find the right instant water heater, as well as installation and ongoing maintenance services. MaintenX is your one-stop-shop for all your commercial facility needs!

The most effective facility managers are those that are involved on the ground floor. They know the ins and outs of their maintenance department and know the right questions to ask about each piece of equipment in their building. To help you become more involved in your maintenance department, we want to give you a better understanding of your water and plumbing systems. 

 

The hot water heater is a common source of plumbing problems. Below are the top frequently asked questions we receive about hot water heaters, and advice for how to address these common issues. 

 

Why am I running out of hot water?

Running out of hot water is a serious problem whether you’re at home or at a commercial facility. In fact, this can be even more serious in a commercial space where your business relies on hot water for essential business functions (such as commercial kitchen dishwashers). Water that doesn’t become hot or doesn’t stay hot is a sure sign your hot water heater is in need of repairs. It is likely that the tubing or the motor is damaged, which will only get worse over time. Contact your MaintenX professionals for a thorough evaluation. 

 

What temperature should I set for my hot water heater? 

Most commercial hot water heaters come pre-set with an optimal temperature. This can be adjusted by your maintenance team, but typically you should not deviate from the manufacturer’s recommendation. If you have an older system and are unsure of the manufacturer’s recommendation, we recommend a temperature around 120℉ or whatever your onsite MaintenX technician recommends. 

 

Is the water leak serious?

In almost all cases, yes, your hot water leak is serious. Not only could it be a sign of a major maintenance issue, but it is costing you up to 13% of your water bill every month. Don’t let your hot water heater continue to leak once you’ve noticed it — contact your MaintenX team to repair the leak and assess other potential signs of damage. 

 

How can I conserve my hot water usage?

By lowering your hot water usage, you can save big on your overall building expenses. There are many options to reduce hot water usage, including the installation of low-flow faucets and toilets. Scheduling preventative maintenance can also help you reduce buildup which will make your hot water heater more efficient. If you are still paying too much, you might consider installing a more energy-efficient hot water heater. 

 

What hot water heater is right for me? 

If you are choosing a replacement hot water heater, you should consult with your MaintenX team to choose the right model. Your current usage, facility size, future water needs, and budget all factor into which model might be right for you. Energy-efficiency is also an important factor to consider if you want to transform your building into a more green facility. For the best advice, ask for a personal consultation from your MaintenX team. 

 

MaintenX is here to help you make sound maintenance decisions every day. TO learn more about our preventative maintenance services, contact us!

The drainage system is an essential yet often ignored part of your home or workplace. If left untended for too long, though, you might experience a wide range of problems: bad smells and harmful bacteria, for example. But not to worry! Follow these simple tips to keep your drains clean and operational for years to come.

Hot Water

Run hot water until your sink is full and let it sit for half an hour before draining. The heat helps to clear the pipe’s walls of the buildup and can even help to dislodge an existing clog. This method works particularly well with kitchen sinks.

Vinegar and Baking Soda

Don’t want to pour toxic chemicals down a clogged drain? Try a 50/50 combination of vinegar and baking soda. Low-cost and safe, vinegar and baking soda can keep your drains clear of clogs, and takes care of odors common to sinks. A half cup of baking soda poured into the drain followed by a half cup of vinegar should do the trick. For extra cleaning power, pour boiling water down the drain afterwards. The two ingredients react with one another to bubble up and clear debris and blockages without damaging your pipes or your health.

Use a Plunger

One solution for your clogged drains is the bathroom plunger you already own. It’s an easy process:

• First, cover the drain opening with the plunger
• Then press back and forth in a circular motion for about 1 to 2 minutes.
• Check to see if the clog is fixed
• If it isn’t, try this process several more times.

This steady buildup of pressure can easily remove both small and significant clogs.

Need drain cleaning tips? Call the experts at MaintenX today!