Urinals are a staple in most commercial restrooms, as they are easier to maintain than a toilet and they help maximize space in small men's rooms. Urinals aren't immune to problems, though. Know the most common issues and how they are caused so you will know when to bring in a plumber for help.
1. Low Pressure
Low water pressure will make it nearly impossible to fully flush the urinal. Water will enter the basin, but the basin will drain slowly and all of the waste may not exit the drain. Often, the pressure can be fixed by simply opening the water main further. There may be individual faucet mains at the top of each urinal, or there may be a single main valve that controls multiple urinals. If the pressure is still low, a plumber may need to replace the pressure regulator.
2. High Flow
Overly high flow can cause water to spray from the urinal when it is flushed, or worse, it can lead to an overflow. Much like low pressure, the cause is usually the main valve. Turning it down will lower the flow rate and prevent high flow pressure problems. If the issue persists, a plumber may need to troubleshoot the cause.
3. Frequent Backups
Urinal backups are typically the cause of a clog in the main drain line. First and foremost, make sure that there is a drain screen in place so only liquids get into the pipe. If backups are still occurring, the cause may be calcium or hard water buildup. A plumber can clean out the mineralization and route out the drain line so it flows well again. If backups continue, the issue may actually be in the main drain line, which will require professional inspection and drain cleaning.
4. Flush Failure
Failure to flush is most often the result of low water pressure, but in some cases, issues with the actual flushing mechanism can be the cause. There may also be a leak somewhere in the waterline, which means insufficient water is getting into the urinal to allow a flush to trigger. You will need to have the water lines inspected promptly since even a small leak can lead to big damages.
5. Noise and Odors
Strange gurgling noises from the drain or the smell of raw sewage typically mean that your main drain is blocked and the backup is routing to the affected urinal. The main drain inspection is needed promptly before you have a bad sewage backup in the restroom.
Contact a commercial plumber promptly if you experience issues with your urinals.
Share23 September 2020
My homes have always had either copper or PVC plumbing pipes. But when my plumbing system needed an overhaul last spring, I wanted a piping system for my home that I could work on myself when needed. There were a lot of good reasons to choose PEX piping, but my favorite thing about the PEX piping is that it's easy to work with, even if you're a beginner like me. Now I can make small repairs myself instead of calling the plumber every time I have a minor leak or other small problem. I still call the plumber for the big stuff, but it's more affordable now that I can take care of small issues myself. I started this blog to help others learn how they, too, can do DIY plumbing repairs at home.