Commercial plumbing contractors offer a wide range of services, with many dedicated to specific industries such as food service. Are you looking for a regular relationship with a commercial plumbing company? The best offer frequent customer or preferred customer programs that give you priority for emergency services and routine maintenance calls.

Avoid dealing with plumbing services that give you specific quotes for plumbing work without doing an on-site inspection. Commercial plumbing work is subject to many variables and an accurate estimate simply can't be given over the phone unless the problem has been diagnosed in person. Your plumbing problems may be complicated by issues beyond your basic control; tree roots can penetrate sewer lines, the original installation of pipes or drains could be defective.

A commercial plumbing expert can give you sound advice on how to control or repair these issues, and what kind of preventive maintenance the company can help you with. Never pay for an on-site inspection meant to give you an estimate. The commercial plumbing service should offer this for free. When in doubt, ask during the telephone consultation if there is a fee for a specific service.

If you are using bathroom contractors to remodel your bathroom, you'll need to give them some information to help design and plan your new bathroom plumbing needs. If you already have bathroom design ideas, give them to the contractor in advance, and be sure to include the following information:

• Counter top materials - do you prefer stone, a solid surface, or a laminate?
• Electric outlets and fixtures - do you want to add or move something?
• Sink, toilet, and tub - do you want a larger size, a different configuration, or a new location?
• What type of cabinets do you want?
• Do you want new flooring?

If you aren't sure on any of these bathroom remodeling ideas, check with the sales rep to look through a catalog or see samples of your options. You can look over a wide range of fixtures, toilet diagrams, and bathroom design ideas before committing. Always get multiple estimates on your final design with alternative materials and configurations to see how adding or changing fixtures or materials affects the bottom line.

Do your commercial fixtures and faucets meet requirements set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To be ADA-compliant, commercial faucets must be operable with one hand using no more than five pounds of force. Some commercial fixtures may be governed by height requirements, allowing proper reach and use for people in wheelchairs or assisted-mobility devices. A quick inspection of your commercial faucets and fixtures with ADA in mind could reveal a lot about how accessible your operation truly is. If you need commercial plumbing help to bring your facility into ADA compliance, call a professional right away for an on-site visit and quote on the work.

Commercial plumbing products cover a wide range of needs. Did you know that there are products specifically for restaurant operations that can help control grease-related plumbing problems? One commercial plumbing solution for grease control is known as BioChoiceES. This is an auto injection system designed to keep drains flowing, prevent grease clogging and improve the efficiency of grease traps. BioChoiceES does not emulsify grease, which can violate local regulations; instead it consumes the grease and coverts it to water or carbon dioxide. An aggressive grease control solution such as BioChoiceES can eliminate your need to call on commercial plumbing services later on to handle grease-related issues.

Industrial plumbing problems can create emergencies far different than residential issues. A home plumbing problem can result in a few feet of ruined carpet or some furniture replacement; industrial plumbing problems can result in damaged equipment, lost productivity and even compliance with commercial building codes. Some industrial plumbing issues are a result of failed inspections.

Did you know that old plumbing can sometimes lead to elevated lead levels in drinking water? An old facility may be in need of a plumbing overhaul and a commercial plumbing expert can give advice on how long and how much such an overhaul will cost. If you have an older facility that may need the work, it's best to show voluntary compliance with federal and local codes. Going on the record with a proactive approach is good for your workers and your public image.

Are you having repeated problems with clogged or slow drains? Your commercial facility may have an issue bigger than a single sink or kitchen area. Video inspection is an important commercial plumbing service when dealing with such repeated issues. You may have a problem deep inside the system, far beyond commercial sinks, toilets or other common-use fixtures. A video inspection reveals hidden issues including simple clogs, badly aligned pipes or damage to the system.

Commercial and industrial plumbing may need a video inspection after natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes to determine if the system has been compromised. Commercial plumbing experts can give you an estimate for both the cost of repairing the damage, and how it will affect your operation in the meantime.