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4 plumbing tips for retailers

Last week, American retail giant Walmart hit the news when five of their stores were abruptly closed and more than 2,000 workers were laid off. The corporation blamed plumbing problems for the closures.

As a retailer, large or small, a shop closure can affect your sales and reputation, which is why it’s essential to keep your building in top working condition.

Below are four plumbing tips for retailers.

  1. Carry out regular bathroom inspections

    Sinks and toilets in commercial buildings are used more frequently than standard domestic units, thus can become worn out at a faster rate. What’s more, people are more inclined to treat public bathrooms badly, and will often flush things that they wouldn’t at home, such as nappies or even product packaging from the goods they have just bought in your shop.

    Have a member of staff regularly inspect the bathrooms in your building. If a problem is caught early on, an ‘out of order’ sign can be hung and you can call out a local plumber straightaway, which will reduce the likelihood of the problem worsening.

  2. Ensure gas safety checks are completed

    The property owner of a building used for business is responsible for all health and safety precautions, including fire safety, the maintenance of electrical and gas equipment, and the management of asbestos.

    In terms of gas safety, this entails ensuring that all gas equipment is maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions, which may involve an annual inspection by a Gas Safe registered engineer to confirm that all pipework and appliances are safe to use.

  3. Replace inefficient boilers

    The minimum efficiency standards outlined in your building regulations should be adhered to when installing a new or replacement boiler, or you can specify a model boasting a higher energy efficiency rating to reduce your company’s carbon footprint and utility costs even further.

    WPJ Heating regularly install A-rated energy efficient boilers with an 8 year Worcester guarantee for businesses in London to provide building owners with industry standard equipment and full peace of mind.

  4. Install de-stratification fans

    If your building has warm air heaters and high ceilings, de-stratification fans can reduce energy use by 20%1 by blowing warm air down to the ground where it’s needed.

    Not only will this lower the cost of your heating bills, which are notoriously expensive in large, commercial buildings with long opening hours, but it’ll also make the environment more comfortable for your customers, making it more appealing for them to stay and browse your shop for longer.


1 Carbon Trust, 2015. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). [Online] Available at: http://www.carbontrust.com/resources/guides/energy-efficiency/heating,-ventilation-and-air-conditioning-hvac. [Accessed 21st April 2015].

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