Property Management

Shift from Reactive to Proactive Plumbing Management

For facility managers and property owners, plumbing emergencies are the worst kind of surprise. They disrupt operations, upset tenants, and often incur expensive after-hours service fees. The most cost-effective way to manage commercial plumbing is to stop emergencies before they happen through a structured preventive maintenance plan.

What is Preventive Drain Maintenance?

Preventive drain maintenance involves scheduling regular, high-pressure water jetting for your building's main sewer lines, branch lines, and grease traps (if applicable) before they have a chance to clog.

How to Build Your Schedule

There is no one-size-fits-all schedule. The frequency depends entirely on the building's use, age, and occupancy:

1. Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens

Due to heavy grease volume, kitchens require the most frequent service. Main lines and grease trap laterals should be jetted every 3 to 6 months.

2. High-Rise Apartment Buildings

High occupancy means high volume. Main sewer lines and lower-floor branch lines (which bear the brunt of the building's waste) should be jetted every 6 to 12 months.

3. Office Buildings and Retail

These properties generally see lighter use (mostly restrooms). An annual jetting of the main sewer line is usually sufficient to prevent scale buildup and clear minor debris.

4. Industrial Facilities

Facilities with floor drains that collect sediment, debris, or manufacturing byproducts should be evaluated individually, but biannual jetting is a common baseline.

The ROI of Preventive Maintenance

The cost of scheduled maintenance is predictable and easily budgeted. The cost of an emergency backup—including water damage remediation, lost revenue, and emergency plumbing rates—is not. Investing in maintenance pays for itself by eliminating catastrophic failures.