Urinal Flush and Drain Problems: A Business Owner’s Guide

A urinal that does not clear properly needs attention to both the water coming in and the wastewater leaving. For a Las Vegas Valley business, describing those separately gives the plumber more useful information than simply reporting a "bad flush."

This guide covers flushing urinals. Waterless models have different maintenance requirements.

Water coming into the fixture

The flush valve controls the water delivered to the urinal. Little or no incoming water can involve the water supply, valve components, or sensor and power issues on automatic models. Water that keeps running after a flush also needs evaluation of the flushing equipment.

These symptoms do not establish that the drain is blocked. The fixture and valve need to be assessed together, using the requirements for the installed model.

Water leaving the fixture

When water enters but drains slowly or rises unusually, the drainage path needs attention. A restriction may be in the fixture's trapway or connected drain piping. Venting problems can also contribute to poor performance.

A rising water level does not identify the cause by itself: excessive incoming flow can also overwhelm a fixture. Supply-side and drainage problems can occur together. Increasing flush water is not a reliable way to clear a blocked drain.

What staff can safely report

Use observations already made during normal use. Do not repeatedly flush a problem fixture to gather information.

• Does water enter, and does it stop afterward?
• Does the bowl drain slowly, rise unusually, or overflow?
• Is one fixture affected, or have nearby fixtures also changed?
• When did the problem start, and has it happened before?
• Is a brand or model label visible without removing anything?

When to take it out of service

Stop using a urinal that backs up, overflows, or will not drain. Mark it out of service and keep people away from wastewater or wet flooring. Notify the person responsible for the facility and call a plumber. Continuous running or an active leak also warrants prompt attention.

Do not add chemical drain opener, dismantle the valve, or force a stuck shutoff.

DMS Plumbing provides residential and commercial service plumbing throughout the Las Vegas Valley, 24/7. For service, estimates, and scheduling, call 702-353-7335.