So you’ve got a killer idea for a restaurant. You’ve got a great, high-traffic area. You know exactly how the decor is going to look.
But how much thought have you given to your restaurant plumbing?
Think about your home’s plumbing requirements. Now compare that to how much water a restaurant uses, and how much greywater they generate. No surprise, restaurant plumbing is significantly more complex.
And with that comes a whole host of unique plumbing considerations!
This week, our Bayside plumbers look at the complexity and planning required when it comes to restaurant plumbing.
Not sure where to start? Contact our expert team of plumbers. We have extensive experience in commercial fit-outs including dental surgeries, medical facilities, and restaurants.
Give our team a call on 1300 156 650 or fill in this form and we’ll get back to you!
1) New fixture installation
One of the first things you’ll need to consider (especially if you’re renovating an existing property) is renovations.
That means dividing walls, booth seating… and of course, new plumbing fixtures.
Say you’re getting a new bar area installed – that means new piping, a new sink, a dishwasher and possibly even an ice-maker.
And we haven’t even gotten started on the kitchen itself either, with all the associated sinks, taps and washing machines you may have to install.
Many of these new fixtures may require additional pipes, valves and drains to be installed, necessitating the skill and experience of a Bayside plumber.
Another thing you may need to think about is disabled and accessible toilets.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act, many restaurants and cafes are required to take reasonable measures to make their facilities accessible to people with disability. In addition to ramps and braille signs, that may also include providing disabled toilet facilities.
Unsure whether you’re meeting your obligations to the disabled? Our plumbers can help clear the air.
(And if you do need a new toilet installed, we can do the job for you!)
2) Now you’re cooking!
Restaurant plumbing is about much more than just water!
While the vast majority of buildings have a gas connection for hot water, very few come with the extensive gas plumbing required to run a restaurant.
And unless you’re lucky enough to have found a former restaurant building, you’ll have to get these installed.
Don’t worry, you needn’t search far to find the right help!
While they may carry gas instead of water, the fundamentals of gas plumbing are quite similar to ordinary plumbing – at the end of the day, a gas pipe is still a pipe. Having said that, though, it’s critical you engage only a qualified gas plumber (not just a plumber) for any work that involves gas.
One of our specialities at Watermaster Plumbing is gas plumbing. In particular, we can take care of installing new gas lines, connecting gas appliances and more.
As such, that makes us the perfect team to call if you need help setting your restaurant up with the requisite gas infrastructure!
3) Grease traps
Grease, oil, and food scraps are some of the most common causes of blocked drains.
And that’s just for regular home kitchens – think about how much worse a restaurant kitchen can be in comparison!
While most restaurant plumbing uses much higher capacity drains, it’s still important to properly filter grease and oil. Failure to do so can lead to it entering the sewer system, which puts the system under strain.
Not to mention, it can also incur a hefty fine!
Grease traps are specially-designed plumbing fixtures that protect your restaurant from suffering this fate.
These fixtures protect you from costly overflows and blockages by intercepting grease and oil before it enters the sewage system.
Such fixtures are a legal requirement for most restaurants – one you’ll need to get installed if you want to keep your restaurant completely up-to-code.
The importance of ongoing plumbing maintenance
Just because you run an established restaurant doesn’t mean that you’ll never have to talk to your plumber ever again.
Quite the opposite – we recommend bookmarking your Bayside plumber’s phone number and scheduling regular plumbing inspections, just in case!
The secret to avoiding plumbing dramas is – say it with us – commercial plumbing maintenance.
We recommend getting your home plumbing inspected at least once a year.
If you’re like most people, the biggest workout your home plumbing gets is taking a hot shower and running the washing machine at the same time (if that).
By contrast, a restaurant uses water almost every minute it’s open, meaning you’re at a much higher risk of plumbing problems!
For a commercial establishment that hosts a more complex plumbing system, we recommend inspections every few months.
During these inspections, our Bayside plumbers identify any hidden or potential problems, stopping them in their tracks and reducing the risk of a more severe or damaging outcome.
Good plumbing sets your restaurant up for success
Call Watermaster’s Bayside plumbers for restaurant plumbing!
Whether you’re finally opening up your dream business or need a reliable plumbing team to help manage your latest fit-out, you’ll want Watermaster Plumbing on your side.
Our Bayside plumbers have worked on all sorts of restaurants, cafes and hospitality businesses.
And not just in Bayside either – our resume includes businesses including:
- Itali.co restaurant, St Kilda
- Bear Brass Café, Southbank
- Ludlow Bar & Dining Room, Southbank
- Eureka Skydeck, CBD
- Melbourne’s famous Tramcar Restaurant
We even offer prompt emergency service for all those unexpected plumbing emergencies.
Give our team a call today on 1300 156 650, or fill in this form and we’ll get back to you!