A building is a living thing, and its life depends on various factors. One of the essential factors is its plumbing system. Many people think that commercial plumbing systems are the same as residential plumbing. However, there is a significant difference between these two. As a homeowner or business owner, you should know the differences to find a reliable plumbing professional or contractor to do the job for you. But first, you should know what these plumbing systems or services are.
What is a Residential Plumbing System or Services?
A residential plumbing system is a complicated network in a home that comprises cold and hot water supply pipes, appliances, home plumbing fixtures, drain pipes, vent pipes, water storage tanks, water heat, traps, etc. Generally, the piping runs either concealed inside the walls or on the outer area of the walls.
Essential Parts of Residential Plumbing Systems
- Home Water Supply System
- Residential Plumbing Fixtures
- Drainage system
Contractors’ residential plumbing services are repairing or installing the three essential components in the above list. So, if you want to ensure that your plumbing systems run efficiently, you should find a reliable contractor to do the job for you.
What are Commercial Plumbing Systems or Services?
Commercial plumbing contractors are companies that offer industrial plumbers who work with water supply systems and wastewater drainage systems for public spaces, businesses, complex buildings, and high rises.
Since commercial plumbing systems are more challenging and complex than residential plumbing, it has higher demands in the industry. Reliable commercial or industrial plumbers are responsible for the regular repair and maintenance of all such systems. However, their work scope is almost limitless, depending on their plumbing skills.
Experts in Commercial Plumbing System
As told, commercial plumbing systems and services are complicated and require experience and skill. So, professional plumbers obtain special training for particular facets of plumbing, including:
- Potable plumbers: These experts work with commercial plumbing systems that involve drinking water.
- Steamfitters and pipefitters: These commercial plumbers work primarily on cooling, heating, and even electricity generators in industrial environments.
- Pipelayers: Commercial plumbing system experts generally deal with laying pipework for wastewater drainage.
- Sewage Systems Plumbers: These commercial plumbers are specialists in commercial facilities sewages.
- Fuel Gas Plumbers: These industrial plumbers work with tanks and pipelines that contain gas.
Differences Between Commercial Plumbing Systems and Residential Plumbing
Now that you know what commercial and residential plumbing systems are, it is time to understand the main differences between these two, which are:
1: Daily Usage of Residential and Commercial Plumbing Systems
The daily usage of commercial plumbing systems is greater than the residential systems due to frequent use by employees and clients during the day.
However, family members only use a residential plumbing system, so it requires fewer outlets and pipe fitting.
2: Size and Durability
Since commercial plumbing has more usage, it requires large fixtures that have higher grades and more extended durability. Using larger fixtures and long-lasting materials will reduce the breaking down due to pressure or strain.
The fixtures are smaller in the home plumbing systems, and lower-grade pipes are used since they do not undergo as frequent use as commercial facilities.
3: Complexity Difference Between Commercial Plumbing Systems and Residential Ones
Most commercial buildings have multiple floors, toilets, and sinks, while most homes usually have simple and easy navigation through their structure. This means that commercial plumbers understand complex building structures.
4: Efficiency Difference
No plumbing system is perfect, and damages are always expected at any point. A clogged sink or bathroom in commercial facilities may pose a difficulty to many people, and fixing them should be done quickly. So, it is recommended to hire professional plumbers who are experienced in dealing with these complex systems.
5: Probability of Damage in Commercial and Home Plumbing Systems
The complex commercial plumbing systems are more prone to damage than residential ones. The damage to home plumbing is limited since it features a minor size system. On the other hand, even slight damage to commercial plumbing can be disastrous.
6: Water Heater In Residential and Commercial Plumbing Systems
Using larger storage tanks and gas levels is required for commercial facilities since industrial buildings have more people who need more hot water than homes.
7: Health Issues with Plumbing Systems
Since more people visit commercial buildings such as restaurants, there is a need to follow strict health care regulations and ensure good hygiene in the plumbing system.
It is easier to manage residential plumbing systems and doesn’t require different sets of plumbing fixtures like commercial plumbing systems.
8: Work Scope
The work on commercial plumbing systems is more repetitive than on home systems. Residential facilities require plumbing services in particular areas, which involves a standard working hour. However, commercial plumbing services take place at any time of the day.
9: Knowledge Prerequisites for Commercial and Home Plumbing Services
Commercial plumbing services need to be more scheduled-oriented. For example, repairing services in a building needs to be done within the time frame as more people depend on it. So, delays in the work can lead to losses. However, the time is not a problem in residential facilities as long as it doesn’t matter to the homeowners.
10: Drainage Systems and Services
Draining commercial plumbing systems is more complex than residential facilities. Additionally, commercial issues are easier to solve in the home plumbing systems.
11: Dripping and Running Water In Commercial and Residential Systems
Determining small water leakages in residential facilities and homes is much easier than commercial buildings. Since commercial buildings have multiple floors, water leakages are easily missed, which will lead to severe damage and large bills.