The difference between a commercial and residential plumbing system is that a commercial plumbing system is usually more tough and sturdy than a home residential plumbing system.
Since the materials used to build a commercial plumbing system are almost always made of high grade material than what is used in a residential system, they are able to handle a higher amount of usage and sometimes the abuse that the public can put them through.
The higher grade of material initially comes with a higher cost, it also means that your commercial system should provide many more years of reliable service with a lot fewer plumbing issues than what one might see with a residential sewer system.
As the years pass, most well built commercial systems can show signs of wear and eventually you will need to either replace your buildings plumbing system or give it an upgrade.
Here are some signs that your commercial plumbing system may be in need of a repair.
Water Stains
While water stains on ceiling tiles are often an indication of a roof leak or overflowing drain pan from your air conditioner, a water stain on a wall or underneath a plumbing pipe often indicates that you’ve got a water leak. This usually means that you will need a sewer line replacement sooner than later before the leak gets any bigger.
Constant Dripping of Your Faucet(s)
Constant dripping from a faucet is usually a sign that some of the fixture has worn out and needs replacement. This may seem like a minor thing when it happens, but if this happens in a large office building, it can lead to a substantial increase in your overall monthly and yearly water bills.
Slow Toilets and/or Drains
If the water in your sink or toilet seems to be draining slowly, it usually means that there is a clogging of some sort in the drain system. If it is just one toilet or one sink, then you may find that it is just a smaller clog around the drain opening that can be fixed easily, however if this is occurring in multiple drains, you will want to get this checked out by a professional plumber as it can lead to much bigger issues both now and in time.
If you find that several fixtures in the building are affected it could mean that there is blockage further down the sewer drain pipe. Whether it is a small blockage or a big one, a professional plumber has the tools to remove the clog and can also camera inspect the sewer line to look for other potential blockages.
Brown or Yellow Water Color
It is not uncommon to see yellow or brown colored water when a plumbing system starts to age after awhile. This is often a sign that the pipes are starting to decay and corrosion is setting in.
If you see this type of discoloration of water in the faucets and it doesn’t go away, it most likely indicates that a pipe replacement is due in the near future.