Apartment buildings have different plumbing challenges than those found in single-family homes and duplexes, says Denman Management team. That is because the plumbing in the living units within the building is connected in ways that make them highly interdependent.
Although plumbing systems in multi-story buildings operate on the same basic principles as those in single-family homes, they are harder to manage. Plumbing systems in single-family homes are simple – they are designed to serve one family.
But this is not the case with apartment buildings where issues in one unit’s plumbing can spill over to affect the entire building. That happens because the plumbing in each living unit in the building is connected to one central system.
For instance, since the units in apartment buildings are stacked on each other, it is impossible to transport water to the upper levels using the force of gravity alone, as is done in single-family homes and duplexes. Pumps are needed to pull the water up.
Apartment buildings also have challenges with their drainage systems. To solve the complex drainage issues, the system often has features that are not present or necessary in single-family homes: branch lines, vertical stacks, and vent or drainage stacks.
All these mean that opportunities for plumbing problems to get out of hand are high in apartment buildings. The complexity of the system makes it easy for seemingly minor plumbing issues to have far-reaching consequences on the entire structure.
Common plumbing issues in apartment buildings
The main challenge with multi-story plumbing systems is the risk that plumbing problems in one unit will ripple outwards to other units. The extent of this ripple effect depends on how many units share the affected section of piping.
Common problems tenants may face in apartment buildings include:
Clogged or blocked drains
Units that share a common line will be affected if one has a clogged drain or blocked toilet.
Frozen pipes
If water pipes in one of the units become frozen, it can affect the water supply to other units or the entire building.
Leak or burst pipes
A burst pipe emergency in one unit can cause water damage in adjoining apartments or those below it.
Water contamination
Dirty water from an apartment’s faucets may be due to rust in another unit’s water pipes.
Ceiling damage
This is a common problem caused by bathroom flooding in the upper levels above the affected unit.
Your preferred plumber should have the expertise to manage plumbing systems in multi-story buildings. It is a mistake to hire plumbers who only know about single-family home plumbing systems for your apartment building.
How to solve plumbing issues in an apartment building
Addressing plumbing issues in apartment buildings requires more expertise than is needed when dealing with plumbing issues in single-family homes. That is because the cause of the problem is often outside the unit where the problem occurs.
Moreover, to solve the problem, connected units must be taken into account; not just the pipes and systems in the affected apartment. Failing to do this only compounds the issues by creating unexpected problems in other areas of the building.
Plumbing problems in apartment buildings are trickier to solve. Before attempting to tackle them, you must understand how the plumbing works, how it connects to each unit and the potential impact of any solutions you apply.
That is why you should always hire professionals for plumbing issues in apartment buildings. The chosen plumber should have intimate knowledge of shared plumbing systems. They should also understand the unique needs of HOA plumbing.
What should you look for when hiring a professional plumber for your residential apartment complex?
Experience and specialization
Your preferred plumber should have the expertise to manage plumbing systems in multi-story buildings. It is a mistake to hire plumbers who only know about single-family home plumbing systems for your apartment building.
The right tools and equipment
Leak detection, drain cleaning, and pipe repairs in apartment building plumbing systems is a complex process that requires specialized tools and equipment. Only a plumber who specializes in these systems will make the vast investment needed to acquire these equipment.
Availability for emergency repairs
Plumbing emergencies are common issues in apartment buildings. Because of the complexities of the building’s plumbing, these emergencies must be solved quickly. That is why your chosen plumber must also offer emergency plumbing services; they should be available on short notice at any time.
Knowledge of plumbing needs of HOAs
Working with shared plumbing systems comes with challenges that are not limited to the plumbing systems themselves. Plumbers often have to deal with multiple tenants to solve the issues in the plumbing. The right Chicago plumber should know how to work with HOA communities of various sizes.
Plumbing issues in multi-story buildings come with numerous problems that can be worsened by the incompetence of your plumber. Do not take a chance with the operations of your rental property and the safety of your tenants; get a professional for the plumbing issues in your building.