If your business’ operations include water or fluid runoff, there’s a good chance you have a floor drain to expel spills. Restaurant kitchens, automotive garages, and car washes are just a few examples of businesses that require drainage to prevent standing water.
Floor drains are installed at the lowest point of the floor to guide spills away from areas where they can pool. Unfortunately, this also means that anything that falls on the floor or is tracked on the bottoms of shoes can also find its way down floor drains. Over time, floor drains fill with debris and can clog, creating pools of water and often resulting in a foul odor. Clogged floor drains can not only smell, but they can also create a slip hazard, and if left untreated, can begin to grow mold, algae, and harmful bacteria.
What Should You Do in the Case of a Clogged Floor Drain?
If you have a floor drain clog, do not leave the problem untreated, standing water can quickly become hazardous. Here are 3 steps you should take to clean and unclog your floor drain:
1. Remove any material obstructing the drain grate
If you’re lucky, whatever is preventing or restricting the flow of water has not managed to find its way into your plumbing and is simply acting as a blockage atop your drain. Before rooting around down your drain, be sure to clean the drain cover, then check if the flow returns.
2. Snake the drain
Insert a drain snake (also known as a drain auger) into the drain and back out several times to try and clear any debris. Remove the drain cover if necessary. Any stuck material that meets the plumbing snake should be pulled out of your drain. After several passes, if the snake starts coming back up clean, test to see if you have restored flow.
3. Call for professional floor drain cleaning service.
If the problem persists, it may be time to seek additional help. A floor drain cleaning professional will be able to inspect your plumbing to determine where your clog is, and have the skills and equipment required for serious drainage problems.
Conclusion
If you are able to unclog your floor drain yourself, you may still want to consider new procedures to prevent future debris build-up. In addition to regular light cleaning, you should consider scheduling regular commercial floor drain cleaning. Instituting a cleaning process that eliminates spills and messes before they can find their way into your drains can help prevent unnecessary clogs.
If you do find yourself needing professional floor drain cleaning service for your floor drain clog, make sure you do your research to find a reliable company that you can trust to get the job done right.
A-1 Septic Tank Service is a family-owned and operated business with over 65 years of experience providing septic, drain, and non-hazardous pumping services in the San Francisco Bay Area.