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Commercial Vs. Home Plumbing Systems

Have you ever wondered if there is a difference between residential and industrial plumbing systems? They both have components that serve the same purposes. After all, water is water, and pipes are pipes. A Houston plumber knows that although residential and industrial plumbing systems perform identical tasks, the systems themselves are strikingly different. In general, there are four main ways that these two systems vary.

1. Residential homes have simple architecture. A ranch-style house has an easy-to-understand plumbing layout. If you need a Houston water heater repair, it will not take the plumber long to ascertain where the heater is located and its type. A multi-story commercial building that services several companies might have dozens of toilets, numerous sinks, miles of pipes and several water heaters. A Houston commercial plumber must have a thorough understanding of how these systems work together.

2. The fixtures in a commercial or industrial building need to be sturdier because more is required of them. Residential plumbing systems do not get used as frequently as a building that holds hundreds of workers. When multiple toilets on separate floors get flushed 50 or more times per day, they are going to wear out more quickly. Therefore, commercial plumbing fixtures and pipes need to be more durable.

3. Emergencies in a residence are not as complex or costly as they can be in a commercial setting. A burst water pipe in a home can be traumatic, but if a pipe in a 20-story office building bursts, many companies can lose extremely valuable equipment and business records. They could also suffer expensive downtime if their facilities are unusable.

4. When a commercial or industrial building has a plumbing problem, the plumber has to work around the occupants’ schedules. Patrons and workers must be considered when service is required. That usually means working over the weekends, during the holidays or throughout the night. Residential calls are easier to work into a plumber’s normal schedule. Repairs can be made on the first visit in most cases. In a commercial setting, temporary facilities may have to be established so that a skeleton crew can continue operations.

A commercial plumber has to undergo more rigorous testing than a residential plumber. Some codes only apply to commercial buildings, which must be inspected more thoroughly.

Santhoff Plumbing Company has been servicing commercial and residential properties since 1974. Our master technicians can handle any emergency at any time of the day or night. We are available 365 days per year. If your office building, factory or home needs a plumber immediately, give us a call at 713-665-4997. We will handle your problem promptly and professionally.

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