×

Warning

JUser: :_load: Unable to load user with ID: 725563

Common Drainage Problems in Breweries

Written by Posted On Thursday, 03 May 2018 18:38

For an industry focused on liquids, you’d think that large scale breweries would have drainage all figured out—after all, the incredible success of the world’s leading breweries communicates an image of exquisite production and distribution capabilities. However, even with global success and the production of breathtaking beverages, large breweries face a number of challenges within facilities. Take a look at the five most common drainage problems in breweries.

Maintaining Cleanliness

Maintaining cleanliness is a top priority in any professional brewery. However, this task transcends the production area. Even though drains are dealing with waste materials, it is critical that they remain clean to promote overall facility health standards. Brewing involves a lot of organic materials, and when excess liquids and yeast get trapped in the drains, fruit flies and other rodents are likely to be attracted to the odor and cause facility contamination. Therefore, a fully functioning drain is crucial, as it can contribute to a brewery’s overall cleanliness.

Routine Drainage System Cleaning

Professional brewers are aware of the importance of clean drains, but cleaning a traditional drainage system, which may include grated drains, can be a tedious process. Depending on the age and style of the drainage system, cleaning procedures may be more complex and time intensive. However laborious the process, establishing a regular, detailed cleaning schedule that includes proper chemicals and protocol is a preventive measure that will keep a facility functioning efficiently. Drainage system cleaning should be carried out by highly skilled employees familiar with all cleaning code requirements.

Battling Bacteria

Another common problem breweries face is battling bacteria that develops in a poorly-designed drainage system. Complex, difficult-to-clean infrastructure features, such as grated drains, can result in bacteria buildup in hard-to-reach spots. Yeast, excess liquid runoff and organic waste can all end up passing through the drain. When water gets trapped and begins pooling, bacteria can grow rapidly, traveling quickly throughout the entire drainage system. Breweries rely on organic materials to brew their finest beverages, so these ingredients simply cannot be eliminated. The best way to tackle bacteria buildup is by adopting a drainage system with sound infrastructure.

Clogged Pipes

Another typical challenge faced by large breweries is clearing up clogged pipes. Clogs can cause water backup and pooling, which significantly raises the risk for the other issues mentioned, such as critters, contamination and bacteria. In extreme situations, clogged pipes can even cause minor flooding and halt production entirely. Clogged pipes are typical of buildings with aging pipes and traditional infrastructure, such as grated drains, weakened materials and complex systems.

Cost of Repair and Installation

A final concern for large breweries is the high cost of drainage system repair and installation. When outdated infrastructure or lack of maintenance begins creating problems, such as increased difficulty cleaning, frequent clogging and rodent invasion, the cost of repair can be an overwhelming expense, even when absolutely necessary. Smart drainage systems that avoid these issues can cut down on repair expenses in the long run.

How to Counter These Concerns

One of the biggest reasons breweries experience problems is due to a reliance on grated drains. The layout of a grated drain poses more opportunities for bacteria buildup and organic material clogging, which results in difficult cleaning operations that can be inefficient and costly. While common in older buildings, grated drains are outdated in design, and there are alternative drainage approaches that can relieve common concerns. One option gaining popularity amongst breweries is the integration of slot drains, which offer a streamlined design that is easier to clean and cuts down on contamination and clogging. In addition to increased efficiency, slot drains are also aesthetically pleasing, a perk for breweries that offer guided tours. Another way that breweries can maintain a healthy floor devoid of cracks and weak points is by learning how to remove old sealer from concrete and reapply new sealer that creates a non-porous, easy-to-clean surface. By investing in quality infrastructure, a large brewery is likely to see considerable benefits.

Rate this item
(0 votes)
Matt Lee

Matt Lee is an SEO and content marketing specialist serving building material manufacturers. He’s the founder of digital marketing agency, Lead Generation Experts, and Local SEO Course, Rise Up Local, that teaches business owners how to rank higher and get more leads through search engines.

Agent Resource

Limited time offer - 50% off - click here

Realty Times

From buying and selling advice for consumers to money-making tips for Agents, our content, updated daily, has made Realty Times® a must-read, and see, for anyone involved in Real Estate.