Day: November 14, 2022

Everyone in life faced with malfunctions of the plumbing system. Many assume the same plumber can solve a problem with a clogged pipe in an apartment building and an office. But in reality, plumbing is much more complicated than it seems at first glance. Residential and commercial plumbing share many of the same properties, but also differ significantly from each other. We will consider this issue in more detail in this article.

What is Commercial Plumbing?

Commercial plumbing definition refers to the installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing systems in commercial buildings. Unlike residential plumbing, which deals with smaller-scale plumbing systems in single-family homes, commercial plumbing deals with larger, more complex plumbing diagram that require specialized knowledge and expertise.

Features of residential plumbing

Domestic plumbing systems are found in conventional homes, apartment buildings and condominiums in residential areas. Specialists solve plumbing problems in residential homes – fixing drains, sewers, water heaters, etc. 

Features of Commercial Plumbing

Commercial plumbing repair is more complex than residential ones. It involves installing and repairing faucets and pipes. These specialists serve large residential complexes and a variety of businesses. A plumber is engaged in establishing and maintaining ample water supply and sewerage systems. 

Commercial and domestic plumbing: 6 main differences

Commercial and domestic plumbing solves the same problems: leaking pipes, clogged toilets and more. But in this situation, they differ significantly in their working environment and responsibilities. Below we propose to determine the difference between commercial and residential plumbing on specific parameters. 

Scope of work

The difference between a plumber and a commercial plumber lies more in the scope of work. A commercial plumber serves large buildings with many more tenants and visitors. There are more toilets, sinks and other equipment, and the plumbing system is much more complex. Also, the large number of people in the house leads to the fact that there is a much higher risk of emergencies and routine maintenance needs to be done more often. 

Types of Plumbing Problems

The problems in residential homes are not as dire in scale as breakdowns in commercial properties. We often encounter clogged toilets, dripping faucets, and poor pressure types at home. Commercial plumbing has similar problems, but the scale is much larger. For example, it is much more difficult to find a burst pipe in an office than in a simple residential home. In addition, a commercial plumber needs to solve the problem as quickly as possible. Also, many businesses need to have plumbing and a toilet to use. 

Profile Knowledge

Commercial buildings use special industrial pipes and fixtures, making specific requirements for plumbing skills and tools. For example, commercial involves repairing huge boilers, lift stations, large septic tanks and others. While domestic plumbing often involves repairing toilets, drains, water heaters and other small devices. Regarding knowledge, commercial and residential plumbers have similar skill sets. But this knowledge’s use depends on the building’s size and purpose. 

Plumbing system requirements

Given the size of the building, commercial plumbing has a considerable number of outlets and pipes compared to domestic. In commercial buildings, the system is designed for a more significant number of floors, while residential buildings imply no more than 2. Also, commercial buildings have more complex appliances designed for a massive flow of people who use sinks, plumbing, and toilets. Additionally, any building should be sufficient water pressure, but it is more difficult to achieve in high-rise buildings, where gravity prevents a standard head. 

Plumbing equipment

All equipment must meet specific requirements. For example, large enterprises (factories or office centers) are equipped with large boilers, multi-component sewage systems, industrial pipes and other complex equipment. Presented plumbing must meet the needs of many people and production lines. 

In private homes, the equipment is used much less. Often these facilities need two central communication systems: water supply and sewerage. The capacity of the system is much less compared to commercial buildings. During the plumbing installation, the plumber must know how to do it properly. In addition, it must meet specific requirements. 

Probability of breakage

The latter leads the way if we consider what is more complicated: residential or commercial plumbing. A burst pipe is a real problem in any home, but it is more common in a commercial property where the break is quite challenging to find, repair and prevent the likelihood of a break. A business or office building may need to be shut down completely to complete the repairs. Commercial buildings need to be checked more often and thoroughly because the large flow of people causes an increased demand for plumbing operations. 

What to look for when choosing the right plumber

It does not matter who you need: plumber or commercial plumber – this specialist should have sufficient knowledge and years of experience. When choosing the correct plumber, you should choose a plumber with experience with commercial and domestic plumbing.

It is also worth ensuring that the plumber and the commercial plumber have the appropriate license, suitable for all modern requirements and regulations. These professionals should be able to do everything:

• Inspect the system.




• Diagnose its performance.




• Identify breakdowns and maintain plumbing.




• Offer the best solution to any problem.

FAQ about the difference between a plumber in people’s homes and a professional plumber

What is the primary difference between being a plumber in people’s homes and being a commercial plumber?

The primary difference is the scale of the plumbing systems. Residential plumbing systems are generally smaller and simpler than commercial plumbing systems, which are more complex and often involve larger pipes, more fixtures, and more intricate designs.

What are some common tasks for residential plumbers?

Residential plumbers are often called to fix leaky faucets, unclog drains, repair or replace toilets, install new plumbing fixtures, and repair or replace pipes.

What are some common tasks for commercial plumbers?

Commercial plumbers are often called to install or repair large-scale plumbing systems, such as those found in office buildings, hotels, and hospitals. These systems may include multiple floors, extensive drainage systems, and specialized equipment such as grease traps and backflow prevention devices. Commercial plumbers may also be called to design and install plumbing systems for new construction projects.

FAQ about the difference between a plumber in people’s homes and a professional plumber

Sewer plumbing is one of the most important communication systems in the home. This part of the plumbing system determines how easy and comfortable it will be for your household to go to the bathroom, take a shower, wash the dishes and perform other daily household processes. If your plumbing is not working correctly, you could face severe problems and inconveniences.

For this system to work correctly, you need to have it serviced regularly. Sewer line leak testing, water heater and sprinkler system testing for the specified capacity, and other tests ensure that the sewer system is working correctly and people will be comfortable living in the house. But getting to the point, only some people know exactly where the sewer lines are in their homes. Not to mention checking the sewer pipe leakage test. If you want to ensure that your sewer line is working correctly and is not affected by any leaks, it is worth digging deeper into the issue and having it checked by a qualified person.

Symptoms of sewer pipe problems: the four most common

A variety of symptoms can indicate problems with the sewer system. Most often, households may notice the following.

Constant water flow

If you hear a faint sound of running water over your head or in the walls after washing something in the sink or using the toilet, this is a sure sign of a leak in the sewer pipes.

Specific Unpleasant Smell

A leak can be indicated by an unpleasant sewer odour that starts seeping through walls or comes from a particular point in the yard.

Strong grass growth

You’ve seen how the grass in the park can be much greener in places with lots of ducks and geese. A similar thing can happen in your front yard if sewage leaks from your sewer pipes. The grass will be greener, lush and taller in the area of the leak. If you notice a lawn like this, you should consider checking your sewer system for leaks.

Rodents show up

Sewage is very attractive to rats. If you notice a rodent infestation in your home, it’s worth testing your sewer system for leaks. No one wants rats in their home, but the presence of these rodents can indicate more serious structural problems with your utilities.

How do I check to see if my sewer pipes are tight?

Every homeowner should know how to perform a sewer leak test. This process can be done in the following ways.

Method	Description	Professional Assistance
Visual Inspection	Check for visible signs of leakage, mold, or water damage around pipes and fixtures.	Optional
Dye Test	Add dye to the toilet tank and wait; color in the bowl indicates a leak from the tank.	No
Water Meter Test	Turn off all water usage, check the water meter’s reading, wait, and check again to see if it changes.	No
Pressure Test	Seal off the system and pressurize it with air or water; monitor for pressure drops to indicate leaks.	Yes
Smoke Test	Inject non-toxic smoke into the sewer system; smoke appearing on the property surface indicates leaks.	Yes
Camera Inspection	Use a waterproof video camera to inspect the inside of sewer pipes for damage or blockages.	Yes

Painting the sewer

Water testing for sewer pipes is entirely possible and will cost relatively cheap. To conduct a drain dye test, you must add a small amount of dye to the toilet bowl or siphon. Then you must flush the toilet a few times or turn on the water in the sink and wait until the dye appears. This process may take several hours. If you notice traces of paint in the area, it is a sure sign of a leaky sewer system.

The same principle is used for the drain smoke test. At home, conducting a DIY sewer smoke test is entirely possible. In this situation, artificially created smoke is launched into the drain or directly drain pipes under low pressure. Smoke test sewer smell will also identify leaks.

Sewer chamber test

Not only can air test sewer pipes, but experts for this task can also use a special sewer chamber to see in detail what is happening inside. Often, sewer lines run under the house itself. Testing begins with the fact that it is necessary to identify the place of the main sewer line and install a special sewer camera. From this area, the master can observe the monitor as the camera moves inside the pipe, looking for any defects.

In addition, more is needed to examine the sewer camera alone. It is only an inspection of the inner surface of the sewer pipe, and it is impossible to assess its condition from the outside. If the result is inconclusive, then smoke testing sewer pipes or other types of examinations must be performed.

Inspection with hydrostatic pressure

Sewer pipe pressure testing involves using special plugs with ball plugs that plug sewer pipes. Depending on the size of the pipe, you need to choose a suitable ball. Before testing with pressure, you must ensure that there is no liquid or debris inside the pipe. The balloon is then inserted and inflated to the point where it blocks the pipe. The tube is then filled with water, and the water level should be observed for 15-20 minutes. If the inlet level decreases, it indicates that there is a leak.

How to solve the problem of a leaking sewer pipe

If you or a handyman has performed a sewer pipe leakage test, sewer gas test, or any other type of test and come to disappointing conclusions, the following options can be used to fix the problem:

Pipelining

The structural lining of a sewer pipe is a minimally invasive, trenchless repair by installing a new line inside the damaged pipe. Before a fork liner is laid, it is impregnated with epoxy resin and placed inside the pipe. It is left there for several hours to allow the resin to cure.

Bursting a sewer pipe

This repair process involves a trenchless method. In practice, it replaces the damaged pipe by pulling in a brand-new one. To do the lining, the damaged sewer pipe must have some structural integrity and not be destroyed.

Spray cladding

This process involves spraying a flexible polymer resin spray on the inside of the pipe where the defect is located.

Conclusion

Many homeowners take the sewer system for granted. In reality, however, these communications consist of a complex maze of pipes, fittings and other elements that need regular and expert maintenance to check their performance. If something goes wrong, if there is a leak or other defect, it can significantly reduce the comfort of living. Armed with professional knowledge of sewer pipe testing, what to look for and what signs indicate leaks, you can easily recognize any problem and fix it on time.

FAQ about How do I test my sewer plumbing?