Recent research has brought to light a substantial threat to businesses that overlook the maintenance of their drainage systems. Many businesses prioritise renovating their offices over maintaining their drains inadvertently putting themselves at risk of disruptions due to operational downtime—an issue that many consider to be their foremost challenge presently.
A survey conducted by Metro Rod delved into the challenges encountered by businesses, and operational downtime emerged as a critical concern, ranking closely behind material shortages. Staff skill shortages, energy price hikes, and rising costs were also significant concerns. When asked, a considerable proportion of respondents reported focusing on maintenance activities unrelated to drainage in the past year, such as enhancing lighting, improving offices, making spaces more accessible, and replacing windows and doors. Astonishingly, less than 25% invested in a drainage or asset map, even though nearly one-third reported experiencing drain blockages in the past year, with a similar percentage incurring drain maintenance costs.
The survey shed light on the benefits of having a drainage plan in place, including planned maintenance, the absence of foul odours, minimal operational downtime, and an improved environmental footprint. However, only 38% of respondents had a pre-planned drain maintenance (PPM) plan, leaving a significant number of businesses unaware of their underground drainage system’s condition.
Additionally, many disclosed that they only engage drainage maintenance companies in emergencies or when they detect an issue—a moment that could potentially force them to temporarily close their site.
Operational downtime can lead to financial losses, negative reviews, and harm a brand’s reputation. Given the significant impact of drainage on business operations, the question arises: why do so many businesses lack a proactive plan to ensure their drains function smoothly?
PPM To Avoid Downtime:
To address this, in collaboration with facilities management providers, we urge businesses across the UK to invest in pre-planned maintenance to keep their premises fully operational. Pre-planned maintenance involves routine drainage and pump maintenance, scheduled at intervals convenient for businesses and customers. This preventative measure can help prevent scale or grease buildup in pipework, which could otherwise cause foul smells, waste overflow, and emergency callouts. Ultimately, PPM aims to drive cost savings and enhance operational efficiencies.
Typically, a PPM schedule covers drain and pipework cleaning, high-pressure water jetting, gully and gutter clearance, urinal descaling, grease trap emptying, interceptor maintenance, and more. It can be tailored to your site, requirements and budgets and we would recommend a visit from a drainage engineer every six to twelve months, depending on facility usage and site conditions.
Pollution Prevention:
Another advantage of pre-planned maintenance is pollution prevention, a priority for 72% of respondents. A well-executed drain maintenance plan can help with proper waste disposal, such as routine grease collection from grease traps and maintenance of petrol interceptors to prevent blockages and safeguard watercourses. A CCTV drain survey can also be used to detect cracks, leaks, and damage, facilitating early action and reducing repair costs. Moreover, they identify misconnections or leakage of contaminated waste, contributing to a cleaner environment. These maintenance practices ensure compliance with legislation and environmental protection.
In the face of numerous challenges, businesses should not overlook the risk of drainage-related downtime. Proactive investment in drainage plans and proper waste disposal practices can mitigate operational downtime, safeguard the bottom line, and prevent pollution.
For further insights on Pre-Planned Maintenance or strategies to mitigate the impact of operational downtime through drainage solutions, please visit www.metrorod.co.uk.
