contractor success developed cracks, resulting in a leak or a burst that floods a facility and causes extensive visible and unseen damage ■ If, after snaking, water is still not drain-ing properly and an obstruction is in the line going to the main sewer, requiring a plumber or a drain cleaning service to make the necessary repairs. have to remember the potential downside: If you break it, you own it — and, this can be expensive. Helping a client with plumbing repairs can be a profitable add-on service that also helps build customer loyalty. However, BSCs should always thoroughly check out the problem, weigh all of their options and discuss the possible outcomes with a facilities manager or building owner. In some cases, addressing a problem may be too time-consuming and potentially too risky to tackle. In these extreme cases, let a plumbing professional offer the services he or she is trained to provide. CM Be Aware Of The Downside While BSCs may be asked to help repair minor plumbing issues in a facility, they also Five Steps To Using A Snake As with all of the plumbing issues described here, using a snake is easy and effective as long as it is done correctly. Following these steps will help ensure a positive outcome: 1. Push and crank the snake down the drain until it becomes difficult to continue any farther 2. The point where resistance increases is most likely where encrustations, grease or other obstruc-tions have built-up inside a pipe, meaning additional effort will be needed to help dislodge the blockage 3. Keep applying pressure and cranking the snake until the resistance is minimal; a lack of resistance on the crack handle of the snake usually means the encrustation, grease or other obstruction has been removed 4. Crank the snake in the opposite direction to remove it from the drain and clean off any debris cling-ing to the tool 5. Flush out the drain with water to ensure whatever was causing the blockage has been removed and the clogging problem addressed. A frequent speaker and author on water conservation issues, Klaus Reichardt is the founder and chief execu-tive officer (CEO) of Waterless Company Inc., which is headquartered in Vista, California. Makers of water-less urinals, Reichardt founded the company in 1991 with the goal to establish a new market segment in the plumbing fixture industry with water conservation in mind. He may be reached at [email protected]. Product Information no. 252 on page 24 34 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • March 2013
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