Hoteliers Alert: Don’t let your business pour money down the drain!

Picture the scene: It’s Christmas day. Your belly’s full of turkey, sprouts and pigs in blankets. You’re just about to transition to a family afternoon in the lounge when you get a call from your duty manager. There have been reports of a foul smell coming from the sinks and drains in your hotel. You decide to put it off. It can wait until after the Queen’s speech at least. 

A few missed calls later, and you leave your family at home to head into work. Braving the cold, you rock up to discover that the condition of your pipes and drains seems to have gone downhill pretty sharply. Your septic tank is fit to burst, the drains are blocked and you’re pretty sure there’s a broken pipe somewhere in the building.
Desperately, you head online for emergency plumbers. But it’s the festive season, and the few who might come out are charging the earth for their last minute services.

Nightmare.

You’re probably here because you’re keen to keep your hotel business in the black. However, all this hard work can be wiped out overnight if you have a major problem with your plumbing or your septic tank. I know it’s a bit grim, but getting some checks and following a few simple principles could save you from feeling the pinch in your pocket.

Thankfully, the folks at UKDN have put together a smart new infographic to show you how to be a step ahead of the game. As the weather worsens, getting on top of your pipes could help avert a Christmas day disaster.
UKDN gives five top tips to be aware of:

1. Know the location of your property and its flood risk, particularly if you’re planning on purchasing a new business. Ensure you’re prepared appropriately for any scenario this winter.
2. Keep on top of your hotel’s maintenance. If left alone, small problems can quickly escalate and cause you major issues down the line, particularly if you have an old property.
3. Make sure the pipes you’re responsible for are spick-and-span. You’ll carry the hit alone if something goes wrong.
4. Find out if it’s a mains sewer or a septic tank which serves your property. If it’s the latter, then regular cleaning will save you a shedload down the line.
5. Be mindful of the Dirty Dozen; UKDN’s twelve things no businessperson should ever allow to drop down the sink to avoid ugly fatbergs building up in our sewers.

That’s enough from me for now. Why not have a look at this fantastic infographic to find out more and head over to the UKDN site to see how you could be protected this winter. You won’t regret it.