Large multi-story apartment buildings require very specialized plumbing services. A large number of bathrooms in large apartment buildings can be a nightmare for many reasons, especially when tenants all experience problems at the same time. Not only do landlords have to deal with complex piping systems, but they also have to navigate through a multi-level building just to find the source of the issue. This makes the job that much harder and more demanding for residential property managers who do not hire a professional apartment plumbing company.
Multi-story vs Multiple Dwellings
Apartment buildings are categorized as either multi-story dwellings or multiple dwellings.
Multiple dwellings include large apartment complexes, which are known to have lesser plumbing standardization across their units than apartment buildings. Each unit usually has different piping needs and this leads to problems when certain units require large amounts of water fast while others use less water at a time. In these cases, there is no single solution for all systems which means each system will need its own solutions for plumbing.
A large multi-story apartment building will likely have a plumbing system that is used by all tenants, and not just one or two of them. Since large multi-story buildings usually contain more than three floors, they are subject to different plumbing standards that require certain parts as well as tools. Some large residential buildings have begun installing water meters on each floor so that tenants can easily determine how much water they use throughout the day.
In large apartment buildings, common areas may also need large-diameter piping to carry large amounts of water from the central point of a building to their respective appliances. This large diameter is necessary because the water pressure at these points will be much higher than in single-family homes. In many cases, a single pipe will run through an entire complex and it will need to support multiple boilers or furnaces that turn apartment units into livable spaces. In an apartment building, there may be different individual appliances, such as espresso machines or washing machines, that will require high water pressure.
Large multi-story buildings and multi-dwelling apartment complexes often have some problems with their large residential plumbing systems, but there are some general ideas on how to efficiently and effectively resolve these issues. The first step is knowing what they are.
Flooding and Ceiling Damage
Large apartment complexes and large multi-story buildings all require large, heavy duty pipes that can support large amounts of pressure. If they are not properly installed or if the water pressure is too high for the plumbing system, then leaks can occur and lead to floods or ceiling damage, such as collapsing or bursting.
Drainage and Clogging
Because large residential properties are bigger in scale compared to single-family homes, drainage systems tend to be more complex also. It’s recommended to install large residential plumbing systems with large drain piping so that waste water can travel easily through large properties.
The biggest plumbing issue in all residential properties is clogging. When there are multiple individuals using water and toilets all at once, it can be a lot of work to a plumbing system that is not installed or maintained correctly. Apart from this, not all residential tenants may follow proper washing, flushing, and disposing habits.
Control Valves
Control valves are important in large residential plumbing, because it allows the large properties to be divided into segments that can be drained independently. These valves control the amount of water draining through each section, and they prevent most clogging possibilities.
Control valves reduce cross-contamination between residential units. They are also conveniently used in repairs, allowing plumbers to turn off the water supply for one unit without disrupting others.
Do-It-Yourself Disasters
The most common mistake an inexperienced hand can do is to try to fix a serious plumbing issue. This becomes especially disastrous in large residential properties where damage to one tenant’s plumbing may affect another’s. Small toilet clogs can be handled by tenants with a plunger, but large issues require the expertise of plumbing professionals.
For example, large apartment buildings often use metal pipes and fittings for plumbing to ensure durability and reliability. However, metal has the tendency to corrode and it will crack and leak, even if slightly damaged. Repairs on metal piping should always be done by experienced plumbers trained in large residential plumbing repair.
Lack of Maintenance
The large scale of plumbing for residential properties can often lead to a lack of maintenance as the daily problems encountered may seem too large for tenants or landlords, sometimes both at once.
Plumbing should never be overlooked, as there can be serious issues that are not always visible to a non-professional. Large-scale residential plumbing should be carefully monitored by building management to ensure smooth operation, with little chance of major repair jobs being required.
One of the surest ways to avoid any plumbing issues down the road is to ensure that your property receives proper, regular maintenance. Regular plumbing inspections may include checking all faucets for leaks, checking the water pressure of each floor, inspecting drains lines for cracks and holes, or inspecting drain traps.
It is also important to ensure that large appliances are operating at peak performance levels. All toilets should have enough water pressure to cleanly flush without causing any product damage or breakage. It takes about three minutes for hot water heater tanks to heat up, so management must make sure they are receiving enough hot water flow during peak hours.
Early Problem Detection
One of the most effective preventions for large apartment building plumbing problems is to establish a system that allows residents to quickly report problems. Service requests should be routed through a central service hotline, allowing staff and management to respond immediately, before large damage can occur. Residents should receive a regular schedule of inspections, including units that are vacant or recently vacated. All appliances must be inspected with regularity as well—it’s not uncommon for large appliances like hot water heaters to develop slow leaks over time; by the time they’re caught it may be too late to save them.
If large apartment building owners utilize these strategies, they will greatly reduce large plumbing problem risks in their buildings. By making sure all fixtures are working properly and promptly responding to any issues that arise, large residential properties can save large amounts of money on repairs.
However, this is not always the case, especially in the event of an emergency. For example, a large plumbing problem can arise where large amounts of water are lost in a very short amount of time. It is then that one must call a professional plumbing company for the fastest, most effective plumbing solutions
Do You Own a Large Residential Property?
As the owner of a large property, you know that plumbing problems can be expensive and time-consuming. Certified Plumbing of Brevard is here to help! We’ll keep your pipes running smoothly so they don’t cause any more damage than they already might have. Our team will provide regular inspections and maintenance so we can catch problems before they get worse. And if something does go wrong, we’re available 24/7 for emergency service. You won’t find another company with our level of expertise or commitment to customer satisfaction anywhere else in Brevard County!
If you want to avoid costly repairs down the road, give us a call today at (321) 676-0812 for an inspection and free quote on our services. Schedule your appointment with us today!