A lot is involved in commercial plumbing. This extends from installation to repair and maintenance. It also involves a more extensive scope of plumbing systems, which demands more experience, a larger workforce, and specialized tools. As a commercial property developer or owner, it is crucial to learn basic plumbing to ensure you pick a reliable commercial plumbing contractor and obtain the best services.
The Expert Plumbers offers 24/7 commercial plumbing services in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas. We are ready to offer prompt, high-quality services, regardless of the commercial plumbing task.
Commercial Plumbing at a Glance
Installing, repairing, maintaining, and replacing plumbing systems and their components in commercial properties is the scope of the profession of commercial plumbing practiced by commercial plumbers.
Commercial plumbing involves a broader scope of services than residential plumbing. Therefore, commercial plumbers must have many skills, qualifications, and experiences to handle different plumbing tasks. They are usually trained to handle complex plumbing tools, follow design blueprints, and know the materials needed for various tasks. Again, they possess skills in designing complex water supply, sewer, and boiler systems.
Based on the nature and scope of work in commercial plumbing, commercial plumbers work in commercial buildings like manufacturing warehouses, schools, restaurants, universities, rental properties, hotels, and office buildings.
Services Offered by a Commercial Plumber
Commercial plumbing extends from the simple installation, repair, and maintenance of plumbing systems to different services. Here is a breakdown of the standard plumbing services offered by most commercial plumbing contractors:
Drainage Services
A professional commercial plumber should offer different drainage services, including installing, repairing, maintaining, cleaning, and replacing different components of the drainage systems. However, one of their primary services is unclogging clogged drains. Commercial plumbers also attend to flooding, foul odors, and slow-moving water. Other drainage services you should expect from a commercial plumbing contractor include the following:
- Cleaning catch basins
- Inspection and diagnosis of underground drainage
- Repairing toilet leakages and clogging on commercial properties
- Overseeing the installation of a commercial plumbing system
Sewer Line Services
Sewer lines are different from drainage systems. They usually have larger pipes that collect waste from an entire commercial building or several buildings and move it to a treatment plant. Since these lines handle various wastes, they usually build up grease, fat, and oil over time, which soon starts to clog.
Commercial plumbing contractors are best suited for unclogging and repairing these pipes when needed. These tasks require a different set of equipment, which most residential plumbers would not have despite their ability to handle minor sewage clogs.
Water Supply Services
Many people consider commercial plumbing services to be specific to the installation of water supply systems. However, they offer various services, including water and cold water supply and fire hydrant installation. Therefore, their scope of services usually includes the following:
- Installing and testing drinking and non-drinking cold and heated water
- Installing and inspecting solar hot water systems
- Fabrication and installation of the hose reel and hydrant systems
- Testing water pressure
- Fabrication and installation of sanitary stacks in multi-story buildings
- Setting up additional fixtures on existing pipework
Please note that commercial plumbers offering water supply services must meet specific compliance requirements set by the local water and Sewer Supply. These requirements are specific to basic plumbing and drainage services, installing and commissioning fire hydrants, water supply backflow prevention, and the kind of fixtures used in these services.
Upgrading Water and Drainage Supply Systems
Old commercial properties with outdated water and drainage supply systems need to be upgraded to meet new standards. Commercial plumbing contractors are the only professionals who can handle this task. They have the resources necessary for these tasks. For instance, upgrading a plumbing system from traditional materials like lead and zinc to PVC, ABS, and PEX requires a lot of experience and a considerable workforce that only a commercial plumbing contractor would have.
Plumbing Services on Rental Properties
Commercial plumbing also involves any plumbing services on rental properties. This plumbing service differs from residential plumbing since it involves a more extensive scope of service but has similar needs and activities. Therefore, you should expect them to work on various plumbing services, which include the following:
- Inspection and fixing of faulty plumbing fixtures
- Inspection and repair of common plumbing problems, such as low water pressure, clogged drains, pipe bursts, and leakages
- Installing water and gas piping in new residential properties
Commercial plumbing services in rental properties offer a collective package that includes installation, inspection, repair, and replacing old and worn-out fixtures. This approach ensures customers receive quality and prompt services, especially for multiple plumbing issues. It also maintains consistency in the kind of service that is delivered.
Emergency Plumbing Services
Anyone can experience plumbing issues at any time. That is why most commercial plumbing contractors provide emergency services to handle these issues promptly and effectively. This means they are available around the clock on weekdays, weekends, or holidays, which is suitable for commercial buildings such as hospitals, schools, and offices that must have their plumbing systems running optimally.
Commercial Plumber Training
Every commercial plumber starts by enrolling in a plumbing trade school offering a plumbing apprenticeship. The apprentice program lasts four years, including classroom learning and hands-on training.
Once a plumber completes the apprenticeship program, they should apply for a license and pass the prerequisite exams. After licensure, they should work for a few years and complete more coursework to become master plumbers. They are well-equipped to run a commercial plumbing business at this level.
After one becomes a master plumber, one can handle any commercial plumbing task. However, to deal with industrial-grade plumbing, commercial plumbers should have specialty training and certifications due to the complexity of the work involved.
Commercial Plumbing vs. Residential Plumbing
Basic plumbing can be either commercial or residential. However, these professions involve similar activities and seek to solve similar issues, but there is a significant difference between them. Here is what separates commercial plumbing from residential plumbing:
1. Type of Building Involved in the Plumbing Services
One common aspect separating commercial and residential plumbing is the type of building involved in the plumbing service. Commercial plumbing deals with plumbing systems for commercial properties, while residential plumbing focuses on private properties. Properties requiring commercial plumbing services include strip malls, warehouses, high-rise offices, schools, hospitals, and rental properties.
Consequently, residential plumbing is usually carried out in single-family homes, townhouses, condominium complexes, and individual apartments. Some of the plumbing tasks involved in these types of properties are easy to handle by yourself. However, a residential plumber will only be necessary if the homeowner does not have the tools or expertise to manage such tasks.
2. Risk Level in Service Delivery
Handling the plumbing system on a commercial property is riskier than in a private residence. Take the example of a building with over ten floors. Managing the plumbing system in such structures is tricky, and one potential mistake can be disastrous. Therefore, a commercial plumbing contractor should handle any plumbing task on such properties. Besides, these properties' plumbing systems should meet strict construction and healthcare regulations, which commercial plumbers are more conversant with than residential plumbers.
Commercial plumbers also upgrade and improve old plumbing systems on commercial properties. Again, these tasks are risky, requiring expert attention and specialty tools that commercial property would likely have.
3. Industrial Knowledge
Commercial plumbing requires complex plumbing knowledge due to the nature of the services offered. Therefore, commercial plumbers usually undergo more advanced training, examination, and certification before providing services. They also must undergo additional training to adjust to the new regulations and standards established in their practice.
4. The Complexity of the Plumbing System
You should expect a commercial property to have complex plumbing systems. These systems extend from primary piping with a few outlets to different plumbing fixtures that maintain the simultaneous functionality of other systems. Therefore, they require the intervention of a commercial plumber to ensure that they perform to optimal standards and are in good condition at all times. Commercial plumbers have the workforce and tools needed to handle any tasks associated with complex plumbing systems.
5. Plumbing Issues
Commercial properties are more likely to have complicated plumbing issues. Most of these problems are typical in private residences but usually occur on a larger scale in commercial properties. Therefore, they need a commercial plumber since these experts are more experienced in handling these issues on a larger scale. Otherwise, if you settle on a residential plumber, they can overlook some problems that affect the occupants. This will cost you a lot when the issues become more complicated.
6. Adherence to Plumbing Codes
Commercial properties must meet different plumbing standards and regulations than private residences. Remember, they usually involve an enormous scope of plumbing systems with many users. Therefore, unless they meet these standards, they will most likely become catastrophic when an issue arises.
Commercial plumbing contractors are more conversant with these codes since they are trained and certified by the local plumbing regulatory bodies. They also have the skills and tools to inspect the plumbing systems to ensure they adhere to the required standards and codes. This is important since increased usage makes commercial plumbing systems more prone to wear and tear.
7. Time Required to Finish Plumbing Projects
Commercial plumbing takes a lot of time, depending on the property size. For instance, a storied building with over ten floors will likely take months to install its plumbing system. Therefore, a commercial plumber best suits this task since they have the workforce and equipment to complete the project quickly. A commercial plumber will sometimes be required to create temporary plumbing facilities to accommodate users while repairing or replacing a commercial property's plumbing system.
Types of Properties that Need Commercial Plumbing Services
Commercial plumbing services are not restricted to specific properties. It applies to all properties that have a larger plumbing system. Some of these properties include:
- Manufacturing, packaging, and assembly warehouses
- Hospitals
- Education and training institutions
- Hotels
- Mining sites
- Prisons
- Aged care facilities
- Commercial offices
- Strip malls
- Airports
- Stadiums
- Animal farms
Commercial plumbing can include large-scale residential properties like apartments and estates with a typical sewer system.
The basis of commercial plumbing falls under the scale of service offered. Different properties can be considered suitable for commercial plumbing services if they have complicated plumbing systems that an individual plumber cannot handle alone.
Common Issues that Commercial Plumbing Handles
The majority of plumbing issues that affect commercial buildings are comparable to those that affect homes. However, commercial properties usually have specific plumbing issues due to the massive number of users and the complex system used. Let us have a closer look at some of the common problems that commercial plumbing seeks to handle:
Clogged Pipes
Clogged drains and pipes are common in almost every household. This is not different for commercial properties. They are more prone to this problem due to the large volume of waste that passes through them daily. Commercial properties also have more people using their kitchens and toilets without the care you would likely expect on private property. This results in vast amounts of debris and waste being flushed down their drains and pipes, causing slow drainage and stubborn clogs.
Handling these issues can be challenging for private plumbers, hence the need for a commercial plumbing contractor.
Complicated Leakages
Commercial properties usually have a hundred miles of pipework. Therefore, leaks are common and can occur in areas that are only easy to reach with plumbing expertise. Fortunately, most professional plumbing contractors have the tools needed to trace the source of leakage and repair it effectively.
Sewage Odors
Septic smells are another common problem in commercial properties due to the vast number of people using the plumbing system. This can drive customers away from your business and aggrieve your employees, making it an issue that should be dealt with immediately. A commercial plumber should be able to assess your plumbing system and handle the problem before it escalates.
Failing Sewer Systems
A failing sewer system can be the worst nightmare on a commercial property. It is smelly and can cause problems like mold and mildew, rodent infestations, and wall cracks. A commercial plumbing contractor should handle this issue and repair the sewer lines.
Leaky Faucets
Leaky faucets are standard in commercial properties due to the many people using them. They can easily make your monthly water bill go up if they are not repaired immediately. A leaky faucet can often stem from a worn-out gasket or a faulty washer. Replacing these fixtures is a simple task that any plumber would handle. However, if this does not help, a local commercial plumbing expert should.
Blocked Toilets
Commercial washrooms have high foot traffic, leading to large volumes of human waste and paper towel disposal that clog these toilets. In most cases, the building caretakers unclog these toilets, but a commercial plumber will be needed in severe cases. They usually use sewer snakes or drainage augers to unblock toilets in a more extensive plumbing system.
Find a Reliable Commercial Plumber
If you are looking for a commercial plumber, there are specific aspects you should look out for to ensure that you receive an expert who can guarantee the best services. Remember, commercial plumbing systems are pretty complicated. They require expert intervention to meet the required standards and ensure they last a long time. In that case, here are some facts that can help you find a reliable commercial plumbing contractor:
1. Time They Have Been in Business
The experience of a commercial plumbing contractor is determined by how long they have been in business. A reliable commercial plumbing contractor should have at least five years of experience. A plumber with this level of experience is more familiar with the scope of services needed and more capable of adhering to the specific standards required in commercial plumbing.
2. Recommendations or Referrals
Obtaining referrals and recommendations from colleagues and friends who have worked with a commercial plumber ensures you find the most reliable expert. You should also ask them about their experience working with the plumber to determine whether you can work with them.
3. Qualifications
A trustworthy commercial plumber should be willing to share their qualifications and certifications with you. You can verify their capabilities through the institutions and organizations responsible for their training and certifications. Their customer reviews and testimonials can also offer excellent insight into the commercial plumber's level of service delivery.
4. Convenience
You should contact a commercial plumber in your area for easier access to your plumbing project. This also reduces the cost needed to set up an operation area for projects that will last a while. It also helps to locate the plumber quickly during emergencies.
Find a Commercial Plumbing Contractor Near Me
At The Expert Plumbers, we are trained and licensed commercial plumbers. Our experienced plumbers offer different plumbing services, including installation, repair, maintenance, and inspection. We also provide emergency plumbing services to all our clients at any time of the day or year. For the best commercial plumbing services in Los Angeles, please do not hesitate to call us today at (510) 250-1880.
