3 Amazing Facts About Commercial Plumbing

For as much as we all interact with commercial plumbing on a daily basis, few people ever stop and appreciate what a technological feat our modern plumbing actually is!

There is so much about plumbing that many people don't even consider, like how their pipes can become corroded over time, what kinds of regulations plumbers need to be aware of before beginning a project and the effect of loose soil on your pipes.

Let’s take a look at some of these amazing facts about commercial plumbing, that most people don’t know!

Corrosion Depends on the Pipe’s Material

Plumbing lines and pipes come in many different types and materials. From plastic to copper, to galvanized steel, what your pipes are made of is a significant factor in determining how quickly they can be corroded, and what type of corrosion they are likely to experience.

Steel pipes, for example, can form rust between the threads of the metal. The danger here is less about pipe failure, and more about the fact that that rust can contaminate your family’s water supply, including drinking water, which can pose serious health threats.

Even copper pipes, which have a reputation for lasting far longer than steel, can corrode over time. One way copper pipes can corrode is when they are connected with other pipes of a different metal. This causes something called galvanic corrosion, which creates a blue-green colored deposit to form where they meet.

Plumbers Must Know the Health Regulations that Apply for All Buildings’ Plumbing

Because plumbing work interacts so much with clean water supply, and with sewage, it is imperative that plumbers be aware of all health regulations that apply in each building they work in.

Careless plumbing can lead to a host of issues like poorly installed pipes that can come loose or burst, and flood a building. It can also cause sewage backup, and contaminated drinking water, which can be extremely hazardous to your health.

You should always confirm with your plumbing contractor that your home's plumbing (whether newly installed or older) meets all your buildings regulations, if you don't, your licensed plumbing contractor should be able to adjust your plumbing and get you back "up to code."

The Ground Surrounding Your Pipes Can Shift, This Happens When the Soil is Loose

Loose soil, like everything else, has its time and place where it is needed. Gardening, for example, is an area where loose soil is very useful. When gardening, you'll want loose soil because it allows air and water to get to the plants' roots.

However, when you are laying underground pipes for your home's plumbing, you absolutely do not want loose soil! This is because soil that is loose is far more likely to move around than packed soil is.

What's wrong with a little bit of soil movement," you ask? Well, shifts in the earth around a pipe can cause pressure to build up within the line, leading to cracks or even a burst pipe!