Tips to Help Your Choose a Floor Grate for Your Commercial Kitchen
Posted on: 5 June 2018
When you run a commercial kitchen, you have to deal with a lot of sticky, oily messes, and the easiest way to clean your floor is to just hose it off. However, for that to be possible, you need floor waste drains. Take a look at these tips to help you decide which drain is right for your kitchen.
Consider Materials
To ensure your drain stands the test of time, you could consider opting for marine-grade aluminium, which is naturally rust and corrosion resistant. Another good option is to invest in stainless steel drainage grates, which are strong and durable. If you use harsh cleaning chemicals or similar agents in your cleaning processes, that durability can be essential.
Look for a Leak Control Flange
A popular feature for many waste drains, a leak control flange is essentially a lip or a rim around the edge of the drain. This prevents liquids from seeping around the edges of the drain and getting into the space between your flooring and the subfloor. In many cases, the flange also gives you space to put in the hardware that you need to connect the drain to the floor. To ensure everything is tight, you can also add a layer of caulk, waterproof adhesive or a waterproof membrane in this area as well.
Choose a Drain With Adjustable Height and Tilt
The dimensions of your drain are going to affect how your grate fits into your drain, and to ensure a solid fit, you should look for options that feature adjustable height and tilt. Then, you can adjust the grate as needed so that it fits firmly.
This is important in terms of preventing leaks, and it's also critical from a safety perspective. If your drain doesn't lay flat, there will be a tripping hazard in the middle of your kitchen. Couple that with greasy floors, and you're on the slippery slope toward injuries, falls, lawsuits and other potential unpleasantries.
Leave Space for Mats and Equipment
When choosing your waste drain, you will see a lot of different shapes and options. They are small round or square drains as well as long grates. For a large kitchen, you may want a long grate that runs the length of your floor, but if space is limited, you may want to look for a smaller option.
In both cases, you may want to choose the drain after you have outfitted the rest of your kitchen. That way, you can ensure that the drain works with the rest of your equipment. Also, keep in mind how slip-resistant mats are going to fit in your space. However, if the mats are porous, you may be able to place them on top of your drains without any major issues.
Make Sure the Drain Can Attach to a Grease Trap
To prevent grease clogs from forming in your pipes, you need a grease trap. This is essentially a small box that collects the grease and prevents it from running into your pipework. In some areas, you are legally obligated to have a trap. For instance, in Sydney, your floor waste drain is required to be connected to a grease trap.
For best results, you may want to locate your drain as close to the grease trap as possible. That prevents a grease clog from building up in the area between the drain and the trap. However, if you have to put a space between your drain and the trap, you may want to choose a drain that has a removable grate. Then, you can lift off the grate and clean the channel by hand.
To learn more, contact a company that specialises in drains, grates and floor waste systems. They can answer your questions and help you find the right product for your needs.
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