Commercial plumbing systems differ from residential plumbing systems in a number of ways. Because businesses tend to have higher occupancy, turnover and usage requires more frequent repair services. Additionally, commercial buildings are subject to stricter building codes, more frequent inspections, and more complex plumbing systems. This means commercial plumbing issues can arise at any time and in any location. If your business relies on plumbing for operations or customer satisfaction, downtime caused by plumbing issues can have a significant impact on your bottom line. Therefore, it’s critical for commercial properties to have a plan in place for addressing and resolving plumbing problems before they become full-blown crises. Fortunately, there are several strategies for handling common commercial plumbing issues.
Because commercial buildings tend to be larger and more complex than residential properties, commercial plumbing systems tend to be more complex as well. This means that while you may be able to fix most residential plumbing issues yourself, you may not be able to fix the same issues in a commercial property. Before you attempt to repair any plumbing issues, you need to know what kind of plumbing system your commercial building uses. This will help you identify which parts need to be replaced and which parts can be repaired with parts from your home plumbing system. Here are a few common plumbing systems you might encounter in a commercial setting:
Water-based plumbing systems - These systems use water as their primary source of energy. Because water is naturally corrosive, these types of systems must be constructed with careful planning and attention to details. Some common examples of water-based plumbing systems are those found in hospitals, food industry facilities, and food preparation areas.
Electric-based plumbing systems - These systems use electricity to power pumps, mix chemicals, or run other components. Because electricity is not corrosive, electric-based plumbing systems are common in a variety of commercial settings, including healthcare facilities, food preparation areas, food distribution warehouses, and food manufacturing facilities.
Eco-friendly plumbing systems - These systems use special additives and water-saving techniques to reduce water usage by up to 80% in certain situations. Eco-friendly plumbing systems are commonly found in office buildings, food preparation areas, and other commercial properties where water conservation is a major concern.
Before you attempt to repair a plumbing issue, it’s important to identify the source of the problem. A common source of problems in commercial plumbing systems is plumbing leaks. Leaks can occur anywhere in the system and often go unnoticed for days or even weeks. While a single leak may not seem like a big deal, it can result in serious damage if left unaddressed. Another common source of plumbing problems is frozen pipes. Frozen pipes tend to be found in buildings that are unheated. When the temperature outside drops below freezing, pipes that aren’t properly insulated can freeze and crack, causing leaks and other problems.
If you catch a plumbing issue before it turns into a full-blown disaster, you can often repair the issue quickly and easily. However, most commercial plumbing issues don’t go away on their own. Instead, they tend to get worse and require more attention as time goes on. This means that if you encounter a plumbing issue that doesn’t seem to resolve itself, it’s a good idea to get it fixed as quickly as possible. This will prevent the issue from turning into a full-blown disaster and can save you significant money and effort in the long run.
If you’re having problems with your plumbing system, it may be time to turn off the water supply. This will prevent leaks from spreading and will allow you to focus on repairing the issue. However, it’s important to remember to turn the water back on as soon as you’re able to avoid running out of water. One way to make sure this happens is by setting a timer to shut off the water at a specific time each day. This will help you avoid forgetting to turn the water off and running out of water.
A trap is a device that captures water flowing through the system and prevents it from entering your home or business. Traps are typically found at the end of pipes and are designed to prevent sewer gases from entering your home or business. Traps are particularly important in commercial buildings where the risk of sewer gases entering your property and causing health or property damage is higher than in a residential setting. If you’re installing a new plumbing system in your commercial property, it’s a good idea to install traps at each water outlet. This will help to prevent bacteria or other contaminants from entering the building.
Commercial plumbing problems can be disruptive and costly, but they can also be prevented. By identifying potential problems and taking quick action, you can prevent plumbing issues from becoming full-blown crises. Additionally, it’s important to know your plumbing systems so that you can know which parts can be repaired and which parts will require new parts or replacement.