Buying any property requires due diligence and careful inspection to ensure what you’re getting is safe, suitable for your requirements and worth what you’re paying. This is even more important when it comes to commercial and industrial properties, where the safety and functionality of the space is a legal requirement as well as in your interests.
Plumbing systems in industrial premises tend to be complex and placed under more pressure than usual. A thorough plumbing inspection is essential for ensuring the system has no faults. If pipes are aged, damaged or in disrepair, it can lead to costly downtime and major hazards for employees and the general public in some cases. If you are borrowing to purchase the property, a plumbing inspection may also be required by the lender.
What’s Involved in a Plumbing Inspection?
A thorough industrial plumbing inspection should involve an inspection of the installations under the building slab including the water supply pipes and sewer lines. This can be achieved using a camera to check if there are any leaks, structural problems or accumulation of debris, all of which may cause failure in the future or create issues with water pressure or backflow.
The inspection should also include a visual assessment of the plumbing system above the floor. In an industrial plumbing building, this is likely to be extensive. A pressure test should also be performed to check if the premises is suffering from low or excessive water pressure.
Checking Pipes for Debris
Pipes in industrial plumbing systems can have a build-up of particulates, chemical solutions and sediment which can all affect water pressure or degrade the plumbing itself. It’s important to have these issues assessed and repaired prior to purchasing the industrial property.
The Importance of Checking Water Pressure
Problems with water pressure in industrial buildings can cause a host of problems and interfere with industrial operations. One of the biggest potential problems is backflow. This is a key issue in a lot of industrial properties as it’s common to have two separate water systems. For example, reducing overall water consumption by using a mix of mains water and recycled water.
Anything that increases your water pressure, such as secondary water pumps, industrial machinery, pressure intensifiers and laboratory equipment can cause backflow issues, which can contaminate drinking water sources, causing a health hazard to the general public. Because of this risk, it is a highly regulated area. Assessing water pressure and having the right backflow preventers in place is crucial.
Need Help with Industrial Plumbing? Brisbane’s EPG Can Help
Need a thorough plumbing inspection before buying an industrial property in Brisbane? At EPG, our experts have extensive experience providing industrial plumbing maintenance and installation services in Brisbane and around Queensland.
In addition to assisting with industrial plumbing issues around Brisbane, we offer a range of other services:
- Commercial plumbing (Brisbane wide)
- Industrial automation (Brisbane wide)
- Commercial electrician (Brisbane wide)
Call us on (07) 3823 1630 to discuss your industrial plumbing requirements or contact us online.
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