Case Study: News24 Plumbing & Sanibest Pro – A Restaurant's Seamless Expansion!
The Vision: Expanding a Restaurant's Footprint and Facilities In the bustling commercial landscape, a vibrant restaurant aimed to enhance its customer and staff experience by installing essential new toilet and basin facilities. This expansion was crucial for accommodating increased patronage and ensuring staff comfort, vital for the success of any food establishment. However, the path to conventional plumbing was fraught with seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
The Challenge: Navigating a Neighbor's Business, Not Their Sewer Line
Gavin, from News24 Plumbing, a professional who had recently learned about SFA Saniflo products from his local Plumblink store, was tasked with this complex project. Recognising the unique challenges, he wisely reached out to SFA Saniflo South Africa for a vital site visit to accurately spec the correct pump solution.
The core problem was immediately apparent: the existing main sewer line was located on the other side of the neighbouring store. Connecting to it via traditional methods would have meant:
- Extensive Disruption: Running new, large-diameter waste lines would necessitate trenching through the neighbouring premises.
- Business Interruption: The adjacent property was a gambling site, heavily reliant on continuous foot traffic for its operations. Asking them to close for "a few weeks" for plumbing work was, understandably, an absolute non-starter. This presented a major impasse, threatening the entire restaurant expansion.
The restaurant needed a solution that was not only effective but also highly discreet and respectful of its neighbour's commercial interests – a true test of innovative plumbing.
The Solution: Sanibest Pro - Discreet Power and Strategic Routing
Following the on-site assessment, the Sanibest Pro lifting station was precisely identified as the ideal solution. Its robust capabilities and flexible installation allowed for a strategic bypass of the major construction and business disruption.
The plan unfolded as follows:
- Strategic Placement: Multiple Sanibest Pro units were meticulously spec'd to handle the distinct wastewater streams from each area:
- One Sanibest Pro for the Male Bathroom (1 WC, 1 Basin, 1 Urinal).
- Two Sanibest Pro units for the Female Bathroom (each handling 1 WC, 0.5 Basin – likely meaning one basin split across two units for balance/redundancy or simply handling its allocated basin).
- One Sanibest Pro for the Staff Toilet (1 WC, 1 Basin, 1 Sink).
- Permission Granted: Crucially, and a testament to the minimal impact of the Saniflo solution, permission was successfully secured to run small-diameter piping through the ceiling of the neighbouring property. This ingenious route entirely avoided any floor trenching or interference with their operations.
- Vertical and Horizontal Pumping Mastery: The Sanibest Pro units efficiently collected the wastewater at source, pumped it vertically to ceiling height, and then horizontally across two stores (approximately 20-30 meters each, depending on layout) before finally connecting to the main sewer line.
This approach meant no loss of business for the crucial gambling establishment next door, and the entire Saniflo installation was quick and easy for the plumbing team.
The Outcome: Rapid Installation, Lasting Satisfaction, and Future Prospects
The results were immediate and impactful:
- Swift Plumbing Completion: The entire Saniflo plumbing installation was completed in just 1.5 days, a remarkable feat that saved the client significant money on labour and allowed the plumber to move quickly to other projects.
- Overall Project Duration: While the entire restaurant conversion project spanned two months, the critical plumbing phase, driven by Saniflo, was exceptionally fast. Despite a couple of initial hiccups on the plumber's side, prompt support from the SFA South Africa team ensured a smooth resolution.
- Unwavering Performance: A follow-up site visit, four months post-installation, confirmed the success. The restaurant was thriving, and the manager (owner Wilson being unavailable) reported no problems whatsoever with the Sanibest Pro units.
- Client Confidence: The exceptional performance and seamless integration led to immense satisfaction. The client has already expressed keen interest in Saniflo for their next premises – a new branch planned for Johannesburg – a clear testament to the trust and reliability built by this successful project.
This case study vividly illustrates how SFA Saniflo's innovative solutions, like the Sanibest Pro, empower plumbers and businesses to overcome seemingly insurmountable commercial plumbing challenges, ensuring minimal disruption, significant cost savings, and long-term operational success.
Facing complex commercial plumbing hurdles in your South African project? Discover the powerful and discreet solutions offered by Saniflo. Contact us today!
