There are many differences between residential and commercial plumbing. From what plumbing systems are needed to the type of work, residential and commercial buildings have certain plumbing differences. Residential plumbers and commercial plumbers will work in their respective places and will perform jobs suited for the type of plumbing. Here at Optimised Plumbing Services, our Emergency Plumber team will operate on both residential and commercial plumbing at any time.
The main difference between residential and commercial plumbing are where plumbing work occurs. Commercial buildings are larger, such as units and offices, while residential buildings are often smaller. Residential plumbing jobs are most times smaller, less complex and maintenance only needs to occur every two years. Commercial plumbing jobs are more complex and difficult, involve more plumbing systems and maintenance needs to occur at least once a year.
What are the Differences Between Residential and Commercial Plum
bing?
The main differences between residential and commercial plumbing are:| Residential | Commercial | |
| Size | Residential means places that are often single or double storey with fewer people living inside them which leads to less plumbing systems. Often there are just single appliances and plumbing lines for the single home. | Commercials are larger buildings, including offices, schools, strata buildings and shopping centres. Since there are many people working or living inside these buildings commercial plumbing systems include a larger number of appliances and water systems present. |
| Difficulty | Plumbing jobs are often simpler inside residential buildings due to there being fewer systems. There can still be costly and difficult plumbing tasks, such as handling burst pipes quickly and efficiently, but most plumbers will perform these tasks professionally. | Working with commercial plumbing can be as simple as residential when there is one task, such as clearing a Blocked Drain in one place, or the task can be extremely complex if numerous systems are involved, such as replacing water lines across the whole building. |
| Common Jobs | Most times residential plumbing jobs will include installations, repairs and replacements, such as:
|
Commercial plumbing jobs will include common repairs and installations but there is also a higher focus on preventive and maintenance tasks with commercial plumbing systems, examples include:
|
| Maintenance | Maintenance in residential homes and their plumbing systems are recommended to be every two years at least. Plumbing inspections are extremely important to ensuring the units and systems work safely and properly around the home.. | At least once a year commercial buildings maintenance will occur and be performed by a licensed plumber. Since there are so many plumbing systems and units it is important that they all work and no hidden issues are present. |
| Hours | Most residential plumbers will work the average Australian working hours. If the plumber is an emergency plumber then they will be available most hours of the day, but most residential plumbers will work within an 8-10 hour period. | Commercial plumbers will most times work at all hours of the day or at least longer than residential plumbers do. This is because within commercial buildings the plumbing systems may need work done during the day but also in the morning or night. |
| Style of Work | A residential plumber will most times work independently on a job, or if needed, with one or two more plumbers. | Plumbing inside commercial buildings will require numerous plumbers at a time most likely which is why commercial plumbers often work in a group or team setting, unless the job only requires one plumber. |
