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Residential vs. Commercial Plumbing

Posted on March 9, 2021 by

Residential vs. Commercial: What’s the Difference? 

At a glance, the difference between residential and commercial plumbing might not seem so great. It’s probably fair to say that everyone realizes that commercial plumbing is a little more intricate than residential, but just how much more intricate is the question. Some plumbers work specifically with residential, while others work specifically with commercial plumbing systems. This alone is proof of their intricacy. 

Homeowners should understand the differences so they can provide the best care possible for their residential plumbing system. After all, it is one of the most important systems of the home. 

The Size and Scale of the Work

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Commercial plumbing and residential plumbing are similar in functionality, but nearly everything else about them is different. The size and scale difference between each system is rather obvious. Commercial buildings are massive compared to residential properties. That said, the size, scale, and material difference of the workload results in a few major differences.

  • Commercial plumbers are much more schedule-based: They usually work when offices are closed, so they don’t interfere with daily responsibilities. 
  • The job must always be done on time: Hundreds and even thousands of people depend on that plumbing system to work efficiently every day. Missing one day could mean that the business loses a day of work too. 
  • Unscheduled Overtime: When the job is bigger, there are larger risks involved too. If something unforeseen happens once a job is complete, the commercial plumbers must stay until the problem is resolved. Otherwise, it could disrupt normal business hours. 

Structural and Building Complexity

It can also be argued that both commercial and residential plumbing systems are structurally complex systems. However, commercial plumbing requires a little more building complexity because of fixtures like: 

  • Water fountains
  • Multiple bathrooms with numerous toilets, urinals, and sinks
  • Mop rooms
  • Dish sinks or industrial dishwashers

Businesses are complex by nature because they are all so different and unique. Commercial plumbers have to be experienced in various installation processes, including working with sewer lines, to ensure they get every job done properly. 

The More Complicated the System, the Higher the Risk

As mentioned above, commercial plumbing is high-risk because so many people depend on commercial plumbing systems every day. Not only that, but the job itself is innately higher risk than residential plumbing because of the differences in the complexity of the system’s structure. 

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There are more components involved, so there is a higher risk for pipe burst or another one of the components to go wrong. It’s clear to see now that the main difference between residential and commercial plumbing is directly correlated with the number of components involved in each system. 

Capital Plumbing Contractors Are Dependable and Efficient

Homeowners can discover the perks of experienced professional plumbers when they hire the experts at Capital Plumbing Contractors. These professionals care about Tallahassee, FL residents and work hard to ensure they are always safe and their plumbing works efficiently. Not to mention, they offer coupons directly on their website. Customers save big time the moment they call for plumbing service!

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