Commercial Plumbing FAQs – Your Questions, Answered

When you think about plumbing, chances are good you picture residential components, like kitchen sinks or master bathrooms. Residential plumbing indeed constitutes the lion’s share of work in the industry, but commercial properties also have plumbing needs. We’ve answered some of the most commercial plumbing FAQs we get most often in this blog post.

1. Do I need to clean my property’s drains?

Yes, commercial drains should be cleaned. However, the frequency with which you need to clean them varies depending on usage, industry, and other factors. We recommend monthly cleaning for most of our commercial customers.

2. What types of commercial plumbing services do you offer?

We offer a full range of commercial plumbing services, including maintenance, cleaning, emergency responses, sewer camera diagnostics, repairs, new installations, and more. 

3. What’s the difference between commercial plumbing projects and residential plumbing projects?

All plumbing shares similarities. For instance, toilets are connected to sewer lines, whether we’re talking about a home bathroom or one in a retail store. The scale and scope of commercial plumbing systems are usually much greater than those of residential systems. A multi-stall bathroom will have a larger and more complex system than the bathroom in a home, for instance. 

4. Is hard water a problem for commercial plumbing systems?

Yes, hard water is a problem for commercial and residential systems. This refers to water with a high mineral content, often lime, which leaves behind trace amounts. Over time, that builds up, narrowing the diameter of pipes and causing other problems, particularly with water heaters. Regular maintenance is the key to preventing damage to commercial plumbing from hard water.

5. What causes clogged drains at a commercial property?

Clogged drains in a commercial property are often caused by many of the same things that cause clogs in residential systems. For instance, too much toilet paper used at one time can clog drains. However, commercial properties see a higher incidence of inappropriate items being flushed down toilets. 

6. When should I have a commercial plumbing inspection done?

We recommend having a commercial plumbing system inspected before signing a new lease, immediately after major natural disasters, like floods or earthquakes, and on an annual basis for general operability and reliability.

Do you have questions about your commercial plumbing system that we didn’t address above? Reach out, and one of our experienced commercial plumbers at Elk Grove Village Sewer & Plumbing will be happy to answer.