What Does a Commercial Plumber Do?

What types of buildings do commercial plumbers work on?

Commercial plumbers work on commercial properties to carry out proper maintenance and plumbing repairs.

Commercial clients include offices, hospitals, retail spaces, hotels, and schools, along with various other types of commercial premises.

What is the difference between commercial and residential plumbing?

Scale

One of the biggest differences between residential and commercial plumbing services is the scale of the job. Residential plumbers usually work in smaller, one to three story homes. Their work also involves fewer fixtures in a single home for example, instead of a larger residential property like a block of flats.

Commercial plumbing involves work on a larger scale, sometimes in multi-story buildings. Tasks involve interconnected systems and require in-depth knowledge of commercial plumbing.

Difficulty Level

Residential plumbing services are usually called out for a standard set of issues. Problems like leaks, clogged drains and burst pipes are the average plumber’s bread and butter. They use traditional methods to fix these fittings in a matter of hours.

Commercial plumbing services, on the other hand, have a much wider variety of problems to deal with. Some of these repairs or installations may need specialised equipment, skills and expertise.

The complexity of the plumbing systems in commercial buildings is far greater than those found in a home. Commercial plumbers’ jobs take longer and require more specific and targeted services.

Equipment

A commercial plumbing service uses different equipment to that used by residential plumbers. The scale and extent of the systems they work with can sometimes demand more complex tools.

Equipment used by commercial plumbing services can sometimes involve high-pressure water machines and video inspection tools. 

Commercial plumbing companies also need much larger tools because of the size of the systems they work with. Commercial plumbing systems tend to be much larger than those found in residential buildings and repairs require larger wrenches, pipe cutters and saws.

Regulations

Commercial plumbing services and teams need to stay abreast of regulations, including building codes, health and safety codes and environmental regulations.

For some services, it’s a legal requirement to be up-to-date with these regulations. This is why a plumber works with an expert team (including a fully qualified engineer or project manager) to ensure their work is up to scratch.

Commercial plumbing services also deal with central heating in commercial buildings, in which case they should be fully qualified and Gas-Safe registered.

You should always hire a Gas-Safe registered plumber, especially for repairs to your central heating system. Choosing professional plumbers means you’re less likely to hurt yourself attempting a DIY fix.

Industry knowledge

Residential plumbers have their own areas of expertise, covering a relatively narrow funnel of plumbing repair and maintenance. Commercial plumbers, on the other hand, must be familiar with the inner workings of many different systems. They are also trained to handle more complex jobs.

Most commercial plumbing professionals are trained to work in most (if not all) commercial properties.

What kind of industries will commercial plumbers service?

Commercial plumbers provide services in a range of commercial buildings and industries. These include (but are not limited to):

• Hospitality: Hotels, restaurants, and other food establishments.
• Retail: Retail stores and shopping centres.
• Healthcare: Hospitals, clinics and other healthcare facilities.
• Education: Schools, colleges and universities.
• Manufacturing: Manufacturing facilities and warehouses.
• Offices: Office buildings and blocks.
• Government: Municipal buildings, courthouses and other government establishments.
• Entertainment: Sports arenas, concert venues and other entertainment centres and facilities.

What kind of plumbing work are commercial plumbers responsible for?

Commercial plumbing services employ professionals who are trained to perform complex and extensive maintenance and repairs.

Here are some of the specific tasks that commercial plumbers may need to perform on the job:

• Installation of plumbing systems. Commercial plumbers are typically involved in the installation of plumbing for commercial buildings. These jobs can include installing hot and cold pipework, kitchen areas, toilets and urinals.

• Repair and maintenance of plumbing systems. These professionals are responsible for the maintenance and repair of existing systems. This involves fixing leaks or replacing fixtures that have become worn or damaged over time.

• Installation and repair of water heaters. Commercial clients need registered plumbers to install and maintain water heaters. Commercial properties’ central heating systems are more complicated and larger than residential central heating, so plumbers need expert knowledge and a specific skill set to perform these tasks. They sometimes require a heating engineer with a commercial gas qualification.

• Installation and maintenance of grease traps. Grease traps are used in commercial kitchens to prevent fats and oils from clogging drains. Without the correct installation, this grease may build up; damaging the plumbing and the property as a whole, which is very costly to fix.

Commercial plumbing services play a pivotal role in ensuring the proper functioning of plumbing systems within businesses. Their expertise and knowledge are essential for smooth operations for commercial customers.

Key jobs of a commercial plumber

Commercial plumbing services generally include the installation, repair, and maintenance of any plumbing in a building such as toilets and associated pipework, kitchen areas including water heaters and radiator installation and repair. They may also deal with clogged pipes, leaks and other plumbing issues.

While these may seem like the same services that a residential plumber offers, commercial plumbing professionals’ tasks are often more complex. Not only are they working with a system that may span multiple floors, but they also need to be familiar with building codes and regulations.

Without a foundational understanding of these requirements, commercial plumbers might do further harm to the network instead of repairing it. A blunder like this can cost commercial clients thousands of pounds in damage and lost revenue.

If you’re in need of specialised services from a team of highly trained professionals, then Lacey Plumbing & Heating has your back. We operate in a range of areas around the UK, including:

• Commercial work and plumbing projects in Manchester

Commercial and residential plumbing services in Bury

How do I choose a commercial plumber for my business?

If your company needs commercial plumbing services, look for someone with industry-specific experience.

The plumber you hire must be fully qualified and hold the necessary qualifications and insurance. If you don’t, the ramifications could be costly! Our team at Lacey Plumbing & Heating are highly experienced in the commercial sector and have the backing of experienced project managers.

What should I do if I have a plumbing emergency at my business?

It’s best to contact a commercial plumbing service, such as our services at Lacey Plumbing & Heating, as soon as you notice an issue. We will perform any maintenance services or repairs you may need at a convenient time.

This will minimise disruptions to your usual business activities and save you from losing revenue.