Drain Clog in Food Facilities

In a food processing plant or for that matter any food facility like a cafeteria, one of the main areas of concern is the clogging of the floor drain system. Despite the continuous and increased efforts to reduce the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, particularly Listeria or in RTE-area drains, many drains have tested positive for these undesirable microorganisms. In fact, a 2004 audit of food processing facilities in a Midwestern state by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service reported that 27.8% of floors and drains sampled tested positive for Listeria. This problem has left food processors puzzled and searching for an effective drain cleaning program.

Most of the food residues and other soils in food facilities get funnelled down into drains during the cleaning process and microorganisms thrive there as optimal conditions for their growth and multiplication are readily available. Moreover, the drain system is difficult to access for effective cleaning.

Typical causes of clogging in staff cafeteria drain lines are fat, oil and Grease (FOG), besides the usual “foreign objects” like spoons, forks, steel wool & duster clogs.

Getting to the Heart of the Matter

Well, when a bunch of “thin” hair can turn into a drain bomb causing a block and eventually a line burst, mashed potatoes and crushed veggies even though are biodegradable, can wreck the entire drain flow system. There are many cases where the entire drain system had to be replaced as drains could not be freed.

Why do drains get clogged? The answer can be discovered by looking into a drain line or sewer pipe. A normal drain pipe has an inside opening of four inches but over time, bits of food and grease cling to the walls of the drain. And this accumulation builds, reducing the effective pipe size to a fraction of what it should be. Where a four-inch pipe can easily flush down a clump of cold mashed potato, a clogged pipe reduced to two inches, fails to let pass even a small piece of potato, causing a clog.

Performing the Drainoscopy

While some clogs need professionals to unclear, having a cost-effective and 24/7 solution in hand can ensure timely upkeep and healthy drains.

Cannon Drainoscopy is the perfect Drain Doctor on call to perform an endoscopy of the drains and thereafter clear the clogs with specialised equipment. This Cannon Drain Doctor can inspect the drain, identify the clog and clear it up to 60% to 75%. All this can be achieved without breaking the drain lines / walls / tiles / pipes or shutting down the facility and at a fraction of the cost and within a short duration. With the added convenience of a hassle free and relatively clean job.