All you Need to Know about Commercial Plumbing

Plumbing problems are inevitably going to happen at some point, and you have probably experienced this before in your home. Unfortunately, commercial plumbing problems can be much more complex than domestic issues, and your plumbing may require more organisation than just a simple call-out. 

What’s the difference between commercial and domestic plumbing?

The core difference between commercial and domestic plumbing is that commercial plumbing is carried out in public, commercial buildings on larger systems. 

Commercial plumbing is much more complex than domestic plumbing, and they often have a lot more pipes, bigger plumbing systems and more outlets. Commercial properties often have a lot more demand and usage compared to residential properties, due to the amount of pipework that can span across multiple floor levels. 

What does commercial plumbing include?

Commercial plumbing deals with the water supply and drainage systems for businesses and institutions that operate on a commercial level. Commercial plumbing services play a vital role in ensuring the proper functioning of plumbing systems within a business. 

Some specific tasks that are conducted with commercial plumbing include:

• Installing plumbing systems 
• Repairing and maintaining plumbing systems 
• Installing and repairing water heaters 
• Installing and maintaining grease traps

Listed below are some of the most common commercial plumbing services:

Commercial plumbing maintenance

Commercial plumbing maintenance is the maintenance of the plumbing systems in your commercial property. This can also include refurbishment, installation and repairs. 

By identifying problems early, you can prevent them from becoming an expensive emergency in the future. When you spot a problem early, you are less likely to lose out on a pricey repair bill. 

Emergency commercial plumbing 

Emergency plumbing in a commercial building can be really serious. This includes major leaks, public facilities like toilets being broken or plumbing systems in kitchens not in operation.

Most commercial plumbing emergencies result in large losses or downtime for a business, so a rapid response is key.

Commercial boiler repair and installation 

Commercial boiler repair involves qualified and commercially trained gas engineers visiting your commercial property to inspect your boiler. Once they have identified the problem, they will quickly and safely fix your heating system, ensuring everything goes back to normal operation. 

Commercial boiler installation involves installing a commercial sized boiler into your property. Commercial boilers are usually rated above 70Kw, are fitted with gas pipework with a diameter of 35mm or above and are installed in non-domestic buildings such as shops and offices

Why is commercial plumbing important?

A commercial property is likely to have a high volume of usage each day, which is why it is so important that there is a strong system that can keep up with this demand. 

Regular commercial plumbing ensures that these businesses have reliable plumbing that stays in safe, working condition. Without this, businesses can suffer from increased downtime which can affect overall productivity, as well as costs that could have been avoided through planned plumbing maintenance.

You can learn more about the importance of maintaining commercial plumbing in our dedicated blog.

Common issues with commercial plumbing systems

There are a number of different common commercial plumbing issues, including:

• Block drains
• Hot water issues
• Water leaks 
• Damaged pipes
• Water pressure

What is commercial plumbing maintenance?

As we’ve mentioned, commercial plumbing maintenance is the maintenance of the plumbing in commercial properties such as schools, hospitals, offices and many other different public spaces. 

A commercial plumber will not only maintain the plumbing, but they will also repair and install plumbing fixtures in the building too. They may also design commercial plumbing infrastructures, such as pipeworks and sewage systems. 

The benefits of regular plumbing maintenance are that it allows you to identify and remove any safety hazards in the workplace before accidents happen or incidents occur. 

How do you know when you need a commercial plumber?

One of the tell-tale signs of when you need a commercial plumber is in an emergency. Emergencies include issues such as clogged toilets, sudden leaks, broken grease traps and even suspected blocked sewage pipes. These issues are easily noticeable, and they may even very quickly bring your business operations to a halt. 

Other signs that you may need a commercial plumber include:

• Frozen pipes
• No hot water 
• Signs of leaks, such as wet patches
• High utility bills 
• Slow drains and toilets 

If your commercial business is having an issue with its plumbing, you should contact our team of professional and reliable commercial plumbers. 

At Lacey Plumbing & Heating, we have a team of experienced commercial plumbing and heating specialists who will be able find the route of your plumbing issue and resolve them as soon as possible. 

Contact us today to see how we can help with your commercial plumbing needs.