Whether you are looking to buy a home or a condo, rent one out, or spend a decent amount living in one, it is important to know the major differences they have regarding their plumbing system. Though shower drains, toilets, etc. are all used the same, there are important things to keep in mind to take care of the plumbing system as best as possible. This blog will take a look at these differences and how to keep them maintained as a tenant.
Key Differences
- Shared System
A big difference between the plumbing system in a condo and a regular home is the ownership. The plumbing system for a condo is shared between multiple units, dividing up the ownership, whereas a homeowner takes on all of the ownership responsibilities. It can be hard to determine what is owned by the public association vs. the tenant, so it is important to communicate and make sure to maintain everything you use.
- Use
Because condos are a part of the public plumbing system, along with apartments, schools, etc., everything is used a lot more, especially bathrooms. This high demand requires more maintenance and more frequent check-ins to make sure drains and such are working properly.
- Water Heater Size
Condos require much larger water heaters because more people are using water in these commercial buildings. To minimize the chances of running out of hot water for all residents, a bigger water heater is put in place.
- Complex Systems
The plumbing systems used for commercial condos are a lot more complex than ones in an individual house. Because the pipes are shared, it can be harder to detect an issue and requires a longer process. Professional Idaho Falls plumbing companies are better equipped to find these issues and get them fixed, as they understand the systems and the industrial equipment used.
- Drains and Leaks
Two specific issues that occur in condos that are not as easy to fix as they are in residential homes are clogged drains and leaks. In homes, clogged drains can be fixed by using a drain snake and are relatively easy to restore. In buildings with a more complex and shared system, the drain may need to be checked to the end of the line to make sure there are no clogs. Regarding leaks, they are much harder to detect in condos or commercial buildings because there are many more places that the leak could be coming from in comparison to a home.
Preventing Potential Issues
Because problems are much harder to fix and demand is much higher in condos and commercial buildings, here are some things you can do to minimize the problems and stay responsible for what you use:
- Remove any material, such as hair or soap, from the drain after you shower to prevent future clogging.
- Do not flush large amounts of toilet paper in the toilet. If you need to use a decent amount, flush in between so there’s less likely of a chance it will get clogged.
- Be mindful of your hot water use and make sure to shut off all faucets to avoid running out of hot water.
- Don’t pour large pieces of food down the kitchen drain and use the garbage disposal when necessary.
Keeping these things in mind can help you best prepare to take care of a condo, with everything that comes with their plumbing system as well.
