Are you one of the thousands of businesses that shut down their physical location because of the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, we know that opening back up is essential but will take time and careful planning. The commercial plumber at Moonlight Plumbing wants to share a few things to look out for if your business has been stagnant for a while. These precautions will help keep your customers and employees safe when you reopen in this new normal.
Commercial Plumbing Tips
Flush Out Standing Water
This tip is especially important for business where employees and customers use and consume water. As water rests inside pipes and appliances, it loses chlorination allowing harmful organisms to grow such as tuberculous mycobacteria and Legionella. These bacteria are harmful to the pipes, make water non consumable and should not be used for cleaning or cooking. We recommend both cold and hot water lines be flushed before you reopen to make sure only fresh, potable water is running through the pipes. We aren’t just talking about sinks. You need to think about showers, hot tubs, decorative fountains, cooling towers and any other water fixtures inside your business.
Water Heater Inspection
Water heater temperatures need to be at 140° F to kill pathogens. They also need a mixing valve to bring the temperature down to 120° F. As water flows through the sink, tub faucets and shower heads, the mixing value ensures the water does not scold you. If the water heater has not been operational for some time, you may want to call an experienced commercial plumber to inspect the fixture to ensure it functions properly for everyone’s safety.
Test Your Toilets
Even though you don’t consume, cook or clean with toilet water, you should not overlook the operation of your toilet before you reopen your business. One way to make sure your toilets are functioning is to check if they are flushing properly and not leaking. To test this, drop some food coloring into the toilet tank. Wait 15 minutes and check the toilet bowl for any color. If you don’t see any color, it’s a sign you may have a leak and will want to call a commercial plumber before opening.
Call A Commercial Plumber Before You Reopen
You can read more from the CDC about what steps you should take to reopen your business on their site. In the meantime, we, Moonlight Plumbing of Stonington and Mystic, CT, are here to help you reopen your business as quickly and safely as possible without any plumbing issues. Our commercial plumbing services can handle all of your plumbing needs big or small. Check out our services and contact us today for 10% off your first service. Let us help get you back to business!
