Working toilet facilities are essential for most businesses. If things go wrong, it can lead to major disruptions and inconvenience. From unpleasant odours and unsanitary toilet conditions to potential drain damage, blockages can cause lots of issues. If establishments are having problems with their urinals, they need to look at the causes and solutions available in order to maintain hygienic facilities. This includes professional drain tests.
Here’s everything you need to know about blocked urinals and descaling solutions.
What causes urinals to block?
Urinal blockages are often the result of several stressors, including minerals in urine crystallising to form a hard, insoluble substance. This consists of protein and calcium build-ups called uric scale. Unfortunately, the deposits can easily accumulate inside pipes, gradually reducing the width of the drain.
Other reasons your urinals may be blocked include foreign objects getting stuck down the drain, like wipes, paper towels and chewing gum. Cleaning products and soap can also contribute to sticky residue and scale build-ups.
How does scale build-up affect urinals and drains?
A build-up of scale in urinals is mainly due to uric acid affecting the system. One of the key consequences seen is reduced drain flow, in which water and urine drain too slowly or not at all when a complete blockage occurs.
Other outcomes of blocked urinals include unpleasant smelling odours when stagnant water and trapped waste materials back up in the pipes. The acidic nature of urine can also corrode pipes over time, resulting in leaks and plumbing problems. This can increase your business maintenance costs to fix frequent blockages.
How do you fix urinals that won’t drain?
Resolving urinal blockages involves specialist help from a commercial drain expert. The first step is performing an in-depth inspection to determine the cause and location of the urinal blockage. Severe and persistent blockages will require a CCTV drain survey, using a small camera to give a clear view of the pipe and drainage system interiors.
Once all blockages are identified, mechanical methods are needed, such as drain jetting or descaling services.
What are drain descaling services?
Drain descaling is a specialist technique that removes debris build-ups from inside the urinal pipes. There are often several stages involved, but one of the most effective steps is high-pressure drain jetting with rotating chain flail attachments. This will blast away most of the scale and corrosion stuck to the insides of the drain pipes, leaving them in a serviceable condition.
Drain jetting is one of the best methods for removing blockages from the system without causing any damage to the pipes. Regular CCTV drain surveys and descaling services are something many establishments ask for to reduce urinal blockages, preventing the need for emergency requests.
Contact The Drain Survey Company
If you need a urinal drain survey in London or Essex, contact us today for a free quote. We’re available now on 020 4538 4399 or info@drainsurvey.co.uk.
