Choosing The Right Exterior Access Door For Your Plumbing Needs

There are many considerations to evaluate when selecting which access door to purchase and which product would best suit your needs. Many people primarily rely on the material and location. While these factors are critical, choosing an access panel solely based on these factors can be too risky for the business.

Access doors have come a long way with new and innovative features and functionalities. Their primary purpose is to provide access to various building components behind walls, ceilings, and floors. Still, recent cutting-edge technology has dramatically improved their role in maintenance and repair jobs. For instance, specifically-built exterior panels are suitable for accessing plumbing components installed outside your building or property. 

While contractors and building designers prefer installing all plumbing-related parts within the interior walls, there are unavoidable circumstances where they would be required to place some of the pipes outside. However, this practice is generally not ideal due to weather-related concerns. If you plan to install your plumbing on the exterior wall, here are some ways to fortify the pipes and which access door is suitable for exterior use.

Exterior Plumbing

Plumbing is a critical component in every commercial facility. It distributes water throughout the building as it simultaneously disposes of wastewater. All contractors would prefer to install all plumbing system parts inside the interior walls. However, there may be inevitable instances when they need to be placed outside. While the practice is generally frowned upon, here are effective ways to ensure that they can withstand harsh elements outdoors.

• INSULATE THE PIPES - The first step in securing plumbing on the exterior wall is to keep it well-insulated. Insulating the pipes can crucially help minimize heat loss, condensation, and freezing. Frozen pipes are hazardous and costly to repair, while pipe condensation can encourage mold and mildew growth. In addition, adding ¾ inch pipe insulation can significantly cut the whole building’s water heating and energy costs by four to five percent annually.

• SEAL GAPS - Another way of protecting your plumbing from harsh elements is by air-sealing the exterior wall cavity with caulk or foam around the seams and the back of the pipes. Ensure that all holes between the pipes and the framing are properly sealed. 

• DRAIN WATER FROM PLUMBING FIXTURES - Winter is your exterior plumbing's worst enemy, and one way of mitigating its harmful effects on your plumbing system is by draining water from hoses, sprinklers, and other outside fixtures before the cold season hits. Disconnect the hoses and use an indoor valve to shut off the external faucet completely.

• HEAT TAPE - Heat tapes are a lifesaving tool that you can use to protect your pipes from extreme cold. They can effectively prevent your pipes from freezing and come in two options: self-regulating cable and thermostat-controlled cable. Both options function the same way, but the thermostat cable comes with a separate device.

Regardless of whether you choose to place the plumbing on the exterior walls or the circumstance that requires you to do so, it is crucial to understand how the changing weather and temperature can be detrimental to your commercial pipes. Water pipes can burst under icy temperatures, and extreme heat and high water pressure can also make the pipes bust during summer.

Common Outdoor Plumbing Issues

Dealing with plumbing issues is often difficult, especially when identifying the source of the problem. One might think commercial plumbing issues that occurred inside have nothing to do with the outside plumbing, but this common misconception can delay the solution and cause unnecessary expenses.

Your commercial plumbing system consists of an extensive network of pipes, fixtures, and valves that are all interconnected and function as a whole. Here are the most common outdoor plumbing issues to watch out for:

1. Sewer Blockage

A simple pipe blockage may seem minor, but it can easily turn into a disaster due to the size and complexity of commercial pipes. The main sewer line connects the wastewater pipes to the city’s water system. The primary purpose of sewer lines is to carry waste from the toilet or sink, and if it backs up or encounters an obstruction, the whole system may be in trouble.

Signs of pipe blockage include:

• Gurgling sounds from the drain
• Sewage smell from the drain or the fixtures
• Water is draining slowly or not at all
• Sewage backup

If any of these indications occur in just one fixture, you can isolate the issue to a clogged pipe. If these signs occur in multiple fixtures, the issue most likely lies on the main sewer line. Wastewater backflow is a serious issue since it can affect your business and the people's health inside the building. 

2. Issues in the Swimming Pool

Maintaining a pool requires regular maintenance and several repairs. Since it contains water, it is part of your commercial plumbing system with potential issues including:

• Flow Rate - Changes in the pool’s flow rate are usually signs of other pool issues. If the water flow abruptly changes from one direction to another, it could indicate that the filter is clogged or needs to be cleaned. 

• Filter Pressure - If you notice a decrease in the filter pressure, it is usually caused by blocked suction lines, trapped air, or wrong valve settings. When the filter increases, the cause could be algae, dirt, or debris blocking the pool’s filter.

• Leaks - Pool leakage can cause damage to your property and increase your monthly water expenses. Leaks can generally affect your swimming pool costs as not only does it waste water, it also depletes expensive pool chemicals.

• Trapped Air - Trapped air inside the pool’s circulation system can restrict water flow and, in severe cases, even cause the filter tank to burst due to the intense pressure build-up. 

Problems in the swimming pool may be difficult to detect since its internal system is hidden underground. However, like any plumbing issue, it is crucial to address the issue promptly to avoid expensive repairs in the future.

3. Sprinkler Issues

Automatic sprinkler systems are vital in gardens and yards since they keep the grass fresh and thriving throughout the summer season. Sprinklers effectively distribute the right amount of water to your lawn systematically and mechanically. While they occasionally break and require regular maintenance, they are easy to fix and simpler to repair than commercial plumbing systems. Here are two of the most common sprinkler problems that may arise:

• Broken Sprinkler Heads - The most common issue in sprinkler systems is that some heads may not be working. You can easily identify and resolve the issue by finding the ones that don't pop up or spray water, then clean or reset the broken head. Some dirt can also clog the sprinklers, and you can determine this if the head pops up but doesn’t spray water.

• Low Water Pressure - The simplest solution for low water pressure is turning on the backflow device valves. Locate the device and turn both valves into their open positions. If it doesn’t work, you’re most likely dealing with a water leakage issue. 

Dealing with outdoor plumbing issues is equally important as addressing indoor plumbing concerns. They may have different locations, but the consequences of delaying the maintenance and repair of your exterior plumbing line are precisely similar to indoor plumbing. 

Exterior Access Door 

All experts in the plumbing industry agree that it is better to install plumbing systems inside interior walls than to place them outside to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the system. Although there are unavoidable circumstances when plumbers need to install the pipes outside, there are effective ways to protect the pipes from harsh elements outside.

In addition, placing the water pipes on the external wall would require the owner to maintain them more frequently than the ones inside the facility. When accessing these components, you can rely on exterior access doors and panels to do the job for you. 

If you’re worried about corrosion and moisture exposure on the installation surface, it is best to purchase high-quality panels built with weather-resistant construction. Choose exterior access doors that have neoprene gaskets and fiberglass insulation. If your business operates near the coast or in flood-prone areas, choose an air/watertight aluminum door to prevent corrosion and floodwater from penetrating the building.