There is a misconception that all domestic and commercial plumbing issues are the same. While there are many similar problems you face in both types of plumbing, the size and scale of commercial properties means that the plumbing requirements are notably different, which is why there are plumbing contractors specializing in each sector.
Simply put, a plumber that comes to fix a leaky faucet in your house won’t have the tools and manpower needed to repair and maintain commercial plumbing systems!
Here are 5 of the most common plumbing issues found in commercial buildings:
Clogged Drains
Most households deal with clogged drains at some point and commercial buildings are no different. In fact, its much more common in commercial properties because of the larger volume of waste passing through the drains, making blockages and clogged drains to become a common issue for commercial plumbers to fix.
Commercial kitchens and toilets are faced with many more people using their drainage systems, often with less care and consideration as at home. This results in massive amounts of waste and other debris being flushed down the drains, which often clog the systems and slow the drainage.
Leakages
With such expansive plumbing systems, often featuring hundreds of miles of pipework, leakages are very common in commercial plumbing. Whether it’s coming from pipes, faucets, sinks, or toilets, leakages are a reoccurring plumbing issue in every commercial property.
These leakages can develop into much more serious issues, such as the appearance of rot and mold, that are very expensive to fix when left untreated. This is why it’s important to act fast at the first sign of a leak!
Water Temperature Problems
The size and complexity of commercial hot water heaters means that they are prone to various issues that are very disruptive to the day to day operations of the business. They also deteriorate faster because they need to work much harder to heat all the water, so problems with water temperatures are very common.
These issues become much bigger when specific water temperatures are required, whether for products and services or as part of regulations. These issues can vary depending on the hot water system, with common problems relating to the thermostat or the insulation.
Damaged Pipes
There are usually hundreds of miles of piping throughout a commercial property and the larger the property the more piping is required. Because these pipes are dealing with large volumes of water and can be damaged by natural growth beneath the ground, pipes are prone to cracking, splitting, and bursting.
Unfortunately, replacing or repairing pipework is a complex and expensive process, which is why it’s always best to get minor piping issues fixed before they develop into something more serious.
Sewage Odors
Problems with pipes aren’t always due to damage – sometimes certain conditions cause pipework to develop nasty sewage smells that can have a massive impact on the business. Whether driving away customers or frustrating employees, unpleasant sewage odors are a big problem that many businesses must deal with.
Dry pipes are often the leading cause of this, as is frequent clogging, so always act fast when bad odors start to eminate from the sewage system!
Southwest Mechanical is a full-service mechanical contractor that provides services in Los Angeles County for all aspects of commercial property services. We offer a wide range of mechanical services for all projects. Headquartered in Southern California, Southwest’s professional staff and trades people deliver a full range of serves for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), plumbing, boiler hot water, general contracting, electrical, concrete, roofing, waterproofing, waste management, energy management, and consulting. Contact us for service today at (866) 808-0354!
