Plumbing plays an important role in the crucial hospitality industry and can make or break a restaurant. Many restaurants in Arizona are riddled with plumbing issues that not only disrupt employee productivity but also pose a health hazard to diners.
The experts at Mesa Plumbing Company have rounded up the following best practices that will keep your restaurant running effectively and efficiently.
Keep an Eye on Water Consumption
Water can be a massive drain on a restaurant’s bottom line if it’s mismanaged. Many restaurateurs can significantly cut their water usage by switching to water-saving equipment. The most practical guide to preserving water in restaurants is to know how much you are using by installing meters. Prioritize areas that use the greatest amount of water first.
Standard industry practice is to use low-flow shower heads and faucets to conserve water - if you’re not already using these fixtures, it’s time to make that big switch by contacting Mesa Plumbing. In the same vein, you should also swap out the older, less efficient toilets for low-flow counterparts. Consider purchasing dual flush low-flow toilets that can minimize water consumption.
Consider educating your kitchen staff on proper dishwasher prep to reduce the amount of water used. Finally, keep a close eye on water leakages because a single leaking faucet can lead to the loss of over 2000 gallons of water per year.
Adhering to Plumbing Codes and Regulations
Always hire a company that is acutely familiar with the plumbing code and regulations in your area. Mesa Plumbing Company in Arizona will ensure that your home or office space conforms to the latest regulations as they relate to the installation, construction, renovation, and repair of plumbing fixtures.
Water Filtration Systems
For obvious reasons, restaurants in Arizona must ensure that the water used in preparing food is reasonably pure and clean of contaminants. This can be done by installing appropriate water filtration systems that can protect your fixtures and plumbing.
Chloramine, in particular. is a chemical that you should try to filter out because it can damage your equipment over time, including stainless steel. Installing a water filtering system ensures that the water is safe for consumption and prevents your fixtures from getting damaged.
Water Brooms
Cleanliness and sanitation are some of the most important aspects of restaurants. Regardless of how delicious your food may be, customers don’t want to visit a space that is unclean. The ADOSH is responsible for enforcing safety and health standards for occupational safety and health.
Unfortunately, cleaning restaurants with traditional garden hose nozzles can use up to 7 gallons of water per minute. Consider replacing garden hose nozzles with water brooms because they are far more effective for cleaning spray-down areas. By switching to water brooms, you can use only 2 gallons of water per minute.
Pro tip: Look for an option with multiple jets and a wide spray arm to help with water management.
Drain Tempering Kits
Most restaurants are required to cool water before they can discard them into the sewage system. In other words, the hot water from the dishwasher and other equipment has to pass through a drain tempering kit before exiting the building. Most PVC pipes are at risk of melting when exposed to such excessive temperatures.
You can avoid this by switching to copper pipes to prevent damage to PVC piping because of excessive temperatures.
For more information, get in touch with our experts at Mesa Plumbing Company.
Clog Reducing Paper Technology
It’s no secret that a clogged toilet at a restaurant can negatively impact how customers view the business. To keep diners from leaving the restaurant in disgust (and sharing their experiences with other potential customers), restaurateurs should consider using paper products to reduce clogs.
Biodegradable toilet paper contains non-pathogenic microorganisms that are activated when they come in contact with water. The enzymes biodegrade when the cleaning job is done and get flushed away without leaving any odor or residue behind.
More importantly, these paper products can reduce costly plumbing problems that could create havoc in a fast-paced restaurant. For example, closing even one bathroom due to maintenance problems could result in loss of business.
Using paper products will significantly reduce the downtime required for toilet repairs, as well as the labor costs associated with the professional repair. Contact our experts at Mesa Plumbing Company for more information on how paper products can deal with clogs.
Replacing Old Plumbing Fixture
Modern plumbing equipment is designed to greatly reduce water consumption. You can save a significant amount paid in water bills by replacing your old fixtures with new ones. Here are a few fixtures that you can update in your restaurant:
Pressure-reducing valves (PRV)
You can install a PRV that can save a lot of water while also preserving your pipes. These pipes work by reducing incoming water pressure from the main supply to create a lower, more functional pressure for distribution throughout the restaurant.
Water Saving Faucets
Switch to faucets that conserve water to reduce your water consumption by as much as 30%. These faucets feature aerators (or screen) at the end of the faucet that reduces the amount of water exiting the faucet and controls the stream.
Moreover, water-saving faucets can also reduce the level of hot water that you are using. Consequently, this also saves energy that is otherwise spent on heating the water. This a win-win scenario for restaurants.
High-Efficiency Toilets
Outdated toilets often use about 3 gallons of water every time they flush. You can replace them with high-efficiency toilets to save over two gallons of water per flush. This can add up to over 2000 gallons of water per year, depending on your usage.
Call Mesa Plumbing Company for Advice
If you're not sure if your restaurant is up to date with the latest plumbing practices, contact experienced plumbers for guidance. At Mesa Plumbing Company, we can provide you with expert advice on water and energy-conserving fixtures that will make your restaurant more efficient and save your bottom line. We will inspect your plumbing infrastructure for leaks and inefficiencies and replace them as needed.