When you’re working with a plumber on your commercial site, chances are you’re in a stressful situation. Plumbing emergencies are some of the worst to deal with, and even preventative repairs can take up a lot of time and slow down your business operations. This headache becomes especially painful when during your consultation, you can’t understand a word of the technician’s terminology.
As for maintenance experts, we sometimes forget what our analysis must sound like to clients. So, to help you bridge some of the knowledge gaps, these are common plumbing terms you need to know as you work on repairs at your facility:
Backflow
Backflow is the wastewater that travels back into the main plumbing after someone uses a drain. When water backs up, it can cause damage or even cause the drain to overflow, becoming an emergency repair. We offer backflow testing for all commercial facilities to ensure their pipes are in good working order and that minor repairs are caught early.
Hydro-jetting
At home, you likely clean your pipes with a snake or chemical drain cleaner, but commercial facilities often use hydro-jetting as a more efficient and safer way to break up blockages. Hydro-jetting uses pressurized water to clear tree roots, clogs, and other debris from the pipes, minimizing the risk of corrosion due to chemical cleaners.
GPM
Gallons per minute (GPM) is the term used for the measurement of the amount of water an appliance typically uses. Low-flow faucets and toilets have a lower GPM rating, which makes them more efficient for your facility.
PPM
Parts per million (PPM) is the concentration of chemicals found in a water system. This can help analyze the safety of the water for drinking, cooking, or industrial use, as well as the toxicity of the wastewater at your facility.
Burst pressure
Burst pressure refers to the water pressure required to make a pipe burst on its own. This is typically used in a rating system to evaluate the condition of the pipes, as well as to determine when piping will need to be replaced. A lower burst pressure may indicate that hydro jetting is not a safe option for pipe cleaning as well.
With this knowledge, you can have a more engaging dialogue with your plumber and make better choices for your preventative maintenance schedule. To learn more about preventative plumbing repair, visit our MaintenX resource center here.
