If you’re responsible for the upkeep of a commercial building, like a restaurant or office building, you know that there are many different types of plumbing systems. You also know that they need to be maintained and repaired often. If your business is located in an older building, then it might have a mix of old and new plumbing. That can make things even more complicated when trying to fix problems. Here’s what you need to know about commercial plumbing systems:
Commercial plumbing systems are frequently misused
You’ll find that commercial plumbing systems are exposed to more wear and tear than residential ones. Commercial systems are used more often, for longer periods of time, by a larger number of people. This all adds up to a lot more stress on your valves and pipes than you’d experience at home!
So how do you know if you need a new commercial plumber? Well, that’s where we come in! We specialize in helping businesses keep their plumbing running smoothly year after year, keeping their costs low while providing an excellent standard of service.
A lot of the components in business restrooms are built to last forever.
You may not think about it much, but commercial restrooms are built to be more durable than residential restrooms. This is because they have to withstand a lot of abuse from people who aren’t as careful about how they use the facilities. The toilets, sinks, and urinals in a commercial restroom are made of materials that are more resistant to corrosion and breakage than those found in residential settings.
Because they’re meant to be used by large numbers of people all day long—and sometimes late into the night—commercial restrooms need to be sanitized on a regular basis so that they don’t harbor diseases or other contaminants. They also need their pipes and drains cleaned frequently, since these components can become clogged easily when there’s too much trash in them (from food wrappers and other items).
If you’re renovating or building a new commercial building, go with a custom-built plumbing system
If you’re renovating or building a new commercial building, go with a custom-built plumbing system. This type of system is built from scratch for your business and has the potential to save you money, as opposed to using prefabricated parts.
Here’s why:
- Custom Plumbing Systems are more cost-effective because they’re made to fit the exact specifications of your business. They don’t require any additional modifications after installation, which saves time and money during installation and future maintenance work.
- The Components are Durable and Long Lasting—and You Won’t Have to Replace Them Every Few Years
- You Can Easily Upgrade Your System For Expansion If Needed
Commercial plumbing is also harder to maintain
While residential plumbing may be a one-person job, commercial plumbing often requires multiple people to perform a single task. This can lead to confusion or mistakes when it comes time for the job to get done.
Commercial plumbing also tends to be more expensive than residential projects because of the complexities involved in each project. For example, commercial buildings may have hundreds of pipes running through them and require additional safety measures like sprinkler systems or fire alarms. These added costs mean that you’ll pay more for your new installation than if you were doing it in your own home!
There are more codes that apply to commercial buildings than residential buildings
In addition to the Residential Plumbing Code, several other codes apply to commercial buildings. The Uniform Mechanical Code and Uniform Plumbing Code address mechanical and plumbing systems, respectively. The International Building Code (IBC) addresses issues of safety and accessibility and is enforced by building inspectors.
The greater number of codes that apply to commercial buildings means that there is a higher likelihood of finding an issue with your plumbing or electrical systems than in a residential property. In addition, these issues will likely be more serious due in part to the number of people who use these systems while they are working or living in the building every day.
Commercial plumbing is different from residential plumbing in a number of ways
Commercial plumbing is more expensive than residential plumbing. The reason for this is that commercial buildings are larger and have more plumbing fixtures.
Commercial pipes are different in size and shape than residential pipes. Commercial pipes are larger, and deeper, and have special fixtures that make them easier to install quickly without damaging the walls of your building.
In addition to these differences in construction, there are also many codes that apply to commercial buildings but not to residential ones:
Types of commercial plumbing
There are three main types of commercial plumbing systems:
- The gas-fired, steam-heating system was the first type to be used in commercial buildings. It is still used today and can provide hot water for cooking or cleaning.
- The cold water supply system uses a gravity pipe that brings in fresh water from a source such as an outside well, river, or lake. This type of system may be needed if your property has no access to city sewer lines or if there is a shortage of groundwater during droughts.
- A closed-loop system pulls waste heat from large heating sources (such as heaters) through pipes that are buried under concrete floors and walls before being discharged into the atmosphere through vents on top of those same walls and floors. The waste heat passes through coils that transfer its energy into whatever substance you’re trying to heat up—like your swimming pool.
Common Types of pipes used in commercial plumbing
There are a lot of plumbing pipes available for commercial buildings. You might be surprised to learn that all of these pipes are not created equal, and there are many factors that can affect the performance of each type in different applications.
To understand which type might work best for your particular application, you should know the different types of plumbing pipes available for commercial buildings. You also need to know what sets each of them apart from one another.
Copper Pipes
Copper pipes are used in commercial buildings because they’re strong, corrosion-resistant, and can be cut in long lengths. Flexible copper pipes are typically only used for short stretches of piping, as it does not have the strength or temperature tolerance for long distances. Rigid copper pipes are strong, corrosion-resistant pipes. It can be cut for long-length applications. They can be difficult to install because you need to solder and weld them to connect the pipe pieces to each other.
PVC Pipes
PVC or Poly-Vinyl Chloride pipes are a newer piping material used for commercial buildings. They’re typically used for waste and drain lines, as well as for hot and cold water supply lines. PVC pipes are lightweight but strong, making them easy to cut, form, and install. These types of pipes are not recommended for use where they will be exposed to extreme heat and cold. PVC pipes are intolerant to UV light. Which means that they do best inside buildings. This is where the temperature is mild and stable.
CPVC Pipes
CPVC or Chlorinated Poly-Vinyl Chloride pipes are one of the most common types of commercial pipe found in buildings due to it being resistant and one of the most affordable choices in the market. They’re easy to install, maintain and repair. Their high-pressure resistance makes them a great choice for cold and hot water.
Galvanized Iron Pipes
Galvanized iron pipes are a great choice for your commercial building’s plumbing system. These pipes are usually coated with a layer of Zinc making them durable, versatile, and low maintenance. This layer also makes it resistant to rust and corrosion. They’re ideal for heavy-duty plumbing applications in buildings. In particular, galvanized iron pipes can be used for water sewage treatments, supply systems, irrigation systems, and more.
Cast Iron Pipes
Are you looking for a heavy-duty solution to your plumbing needs? You might want to consider cast iron pipes. These pipes are ideal for commercial drain lines and water distribution systems. They’re built to withstand heavy pressure and can deliver large volumes of liquid quickly.
Cast iron pipes are a great option for fire-resistant projects and have natural soundproofing qualities.
Brass Pipes
Many commercial buildings use brass pipes to transport water. These pipes are made from a combination of copper and zinc, which gives them their unique color.
When choosing your piping material, you will want to consider how much money you have budgeted for this project and what type of pipe best suits your needs. Brass is one of several options available, but it can also be used as an alternative to stainless steel ones—especially if cost is an issue.
Drainage and waste systems are important for business
Drainage and waste systems are important for business. These may not be the most exciting things you’ll ever hear about plumbing, but they’re important nonetheless.
There are two types of drainage systems: gravity-based and pressure-assisted. Gravity-based drainage uses gravity to move wastewater through the piping; pressure-assisted drainage uses a pump to move wastewater through the piping.
Waste systems collect, store and transport human waste from fixtures such as toilets and showers in public places like restaurants or hotels.
Commercial plumbers have to be fully licensed and insured
Commercial plumbers have to be fully licensed and insured. Residential plumbers only need to be licensed in some states, but commercial plumbers must have the same credentials as general contractors. These include:
- A state license that allows them to work on plumbing systems in a home or business (this is often called a master plumber’s license)
- Workman’s compensation insurance that covers any damages they cause while working on your pipes or fixtures (you can ask for proof of this when you’re hiring someone)
- General liability insurance covering their own actions while they’re at your site
Commercial plumbing needs to be maintained more because it is more valuable and required for inspections.
It’s also important to understand that commercial plumbing is more costly and therefore has to be maintained more often. For example, if you have a residential property, your home’s plumbing will probably only have one or two inspections per year.
But if you are running a commercial property, your business may be inspected by the city every month or so—and these inspections usually require the use of special tools that can help reveal any problems with the plumbing.
Inspections will force you to make your plumbing system to be in top shape because permits might get held up or revoked if they don’t work properly.
Having a faulty plumbing system can cause your business to be closed for a while until you get them fixed. You might even get complaints from customers and this will affect your business.
How to find commercial plumbers?
- Ask for referrals from friends, family, and colleagues. There’s nothing like a personal recommendation to help you find the right commercial plumber for your business. If you don’t have any contacts in the area, look up reviews online.
- Request a free quote from potential companies before making a decision about who to hire.
- Don’t be swayed by low prices; some companies may offer their services at lower prices because they don’t carry insurance or pay taxes on their earnings (although this is illegal). Instead, ask each company what kind of coverage they have in place should something go wrong while they are working on your premises—and be sure to check out their licenses as well!
A professional plumber should be your primary contact because they are familiar with your plumbing system.
If you can, try to keep a continuous relationship with a commercial plumber because they know your plumbing system. You want to be able to trust that the person who comes out will do the job correctly and provide good customer service. You also don’t want there to be any hesitation on their part if they need something from you or have questions about what’s going on in your business. This is why it’s important to build a positive rapport with your chosen commercial plumber by asking questions and giving feedback so that you can work together as partners in keeping things running smoothly.
Get Help From the Best Plumbing Service in Scottsdale
The plumbing system in your commercial building is one of the most important systems in the building. It’s used every day and it needs to be maintained properly so that you don’t have any problems with it.
Make sure you call Coyote Plumbing AZ when you need a plumber in Scottsdale, AZ. We offer top-notch residential and commercial plumbing services as well as drain cleaning services, sump pumps, and water heater services.
We’re locally owned and operated, so we know the area that we work in. Our team is highly experienced and well-trained to handle any job that comes our way. We’ll make sure your plumbing problems are taken care of quickly and efficiently so you can get back to enjoying your home or business!
For more information about what we do and how we can help you out with your plumbing needs, give us a call today or visit us online at https://coyoteplumbinga.plumbing.
