Preventing Sewer Problems in Your Apartment Building

attractive-multicolor-apartment-building-with-cloudy-sky-behind-itA plumbing problem is an apartment building owner’s worst nightmare. Serious blockages can cause back-ups and flooding in multiple units, requiring expensive repairs that may significantly cut into your rent profits. Fortunately, plumbing issues in apartment buildings are avoidable with the help of a knowledgeable sewer company. Arrow Sewer & Drain provides sewer and drains services in North and Central New Jersey. Here, we cover several steps you can take to protect your apartment building’s sewer and drain and prevent potential issues.

Educate Your Tenants

As a building owner or property manager, you can’t always control what your tenants flush down the toilet or put down the drain. You can, however, educate them to make informed choices. Post flyers and reminders around the building to advise tenants on responsible usage. Items not to put down drains include:

  • Coffee grounds
  • Eggshells
  • Cooking oils and fats
  • Rice and pasta
  • Fruit pits
  • Bones
  • Flour
  • Paint
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Condoms
  • Cotton balls
  • Wipes
  • Rags
  • Kitty litter

By making sure tenants are informed, you can help them make wise decisions about what they put down the drain or toilet – potentially creating fewer clogs as a result.

Install Drain Screens

A second measure available to owners and managers, which doesn’t rely on tenant choices, is to install drain screens throughout the building. These devices are designed to catch debris before it enters the pipes. By reducing the amount of food waste and other debris in your plumbing system, you’ll also reduce the number of clogs. Drain screens are relatively inexpensive and simple to install, especially when compared to sewer repairs. This is an upgrade that will pay for itself several times over.

Eliminate Garbage Disposals

While installing drain screens, you may also wish to remove garbage disposals. A disposal device brings added convenience for tenants in the kitchen. However, it also increases how much debris enters your plumbing system. While a single-home system may be able to accommodate debris from a single garbage disposal, your apartment building sewer is taking debris from multiple disposals – sometimes dozens, depending on the size of your building. This can easily overload the sewer and create clogs.

By removing the garbage disposals, you reduce the temptation to push food waste down the drain. If you wish to provide tenants with the same convenience, you can always give them an alternative – a composting bin, for instance – that will not strain your sewers.

Invest in Maintenance

The final, and most important, way to avoid clogs is simply to prioritize maintenance. Properly built and well-maintained sewers are less prone to blocking. Neglected ones, meanwhile, may be a breakdown waiting to happen. Pursuing regular drain repair and cleaning can prevent future problems by addressing minor concerns before they evolve into clogs and backups. Resolving emergent issues can save you money on a costly repair.

Professional plumbers utilize hydro-jetting technology that can clear away debris buildup, keeping it from becoming a complete blockage. If they determine that your sewer design is outdated, they may recommend upgrading your sewer design with recommended pipe sizes and venting to help your system accommodate waste without getting blocked.

Keeping your building in good condition is your responsibility as owner and manager, and this extends to your sewers. Performing it properly can help you save money in the long run.

Learn More About Apartment Plumbing

To prevent plumbing issues in apartment buildings and avoid serious problems, turn to Arrow Sewer & Drain. We are experts with over 15 years of experience serving northern NJ with plumbing installation and repair services. Contact us today to find out more about what we can do or to discuss financing options for upgrades and repairs to your sewer system.

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