Plumbing issues cause headaches and major hits to the wallet for bar owners. By following a few simple steps, these problems easily go away.
Plumbing problems in bars and restaurants are typically caused by the clogging of pipes, which makes the plumbing back up and not drain properly. The main cause of this issue is staff putting leftover food and other materials down the drains instead of disposing of it in the correct place.
The Bar
Commonly pipes become clogged in the bar itself. Bartenders push lime wedges, cherry stems, orange peels, and other cocktail-making materials down the drain instead of throwing them away in the trash can. When rinsing out the bar drain, the materials slip down the holes and cause the backup of the plumbing system.
Managers need to teach bartenders and bar backs to properly dispose of materials into the trash can to keep the bar system’s plumbing from backing up.
As a backup, a simple way to keep this from happening is by using wire mesh. Cutting a small piece of wire mesh, the same used in window or door screens, and placing it over the drain will stop a majority of materials from being flushed down the drain. The mesh can be easily removed and cleaned. Using this simple and inexpensive piece of mesh will save bar owners a lot of money in the long run.
Dishwasher
The other place where plumbing issues arise in restaurants and bars is the dishwashing station. Many times the servers do not properly dispose of leftover food, straws, and napkins left on the plates before handing them to the dishwasher. The dishwasher then sprays the plates off into the sink and all of the food and other material slips down the drain causing it to backup.
Teaching the servers to properly dispose of leftover items into the garbage is the first step needed to stop plumbing issues from happening. Wire mesh can be used here again as a simple solution. Cutting out a piece to fit into the drain will not allow large food pieces and other materials from getting caught in the plumbing.
Fryers
The last area which needs attention are the fryers used in kitchens. These need to be pulled out, drained, and cleaned on a daily basis. Many times when the employees pull these fryers out from the wall, the gas lines attached to them can begin to loosen. This can become a dangerous situation if the gas lines become loose and begin to leak gas into the air. With all the fire and sparks that happen in the kitchen, this is a problem we want to avoid.
The employees responsible for cleaning the fryers need to be taught the proper way to handle the machines. They also need to be aware of the dangers associated with the gas lines becoming loose.
Training the staff to dispose of food correctly will help stop a majority of plumbing issues. Also, teaching the employees responsible for the fryers how to clean the machines will ease many headaches for bar owners and also save a lot of money in the long run.
