Typical residential jobs for plumbing contractors will include repairing leaking pipes, installing toilets and sinks, and installing sinks and aerators in the bath or kitchen. On the commercial end, plumbing jobs can consist of residential-type plumbing projects (e.g., installation of bathroom fixtures), plumbing services, mechanical services, water piping and repair, and septic tank replacement. Plumbers may also be called upon to help with construction projects such as basement waterproofing, foundation crack repairs, septic tank repairs, bathroom fixtures and plumbing, roof leak repair, and replacements, among other projects. Contractors usually belong to several different groups: commercial plumbing contractors, commercial plumbing service contractors, general contracting contractors, municipal plumbing contractors, private plumbing contractors, and subcontractors.
Commercial plumbing contractors deal with much more than typical home plumbing issues. For example, they may be called upon to install complex tasks involving high-pressure steam units, sewage systems, and various water purification devices. They also work with drainage and sewage systems, septic tanks, and facilities, including various pumps, waste disposal devices, pipelines, and fixtures. Many Plumbing Contractors Grand Rapids MI work on residential and commercial projects.

In many instances, plumbing contractors are also called upon to perform non-technical tasks, such as making necessary repairs to drains, plumbing fixtures, traps, lines, faucets, toilets, showers, tubs, and more. Many homeowners hire a plumber to make necessary home repairs when a pipe breaks. In many cases, the homeowner doesn’t know how to fix a problem, so it’s wise to have a professional do the work for them. Some common problems that plumbing contractors commonly see include burst pipes, leaking sinks, leaking toilets, clogged drains, slow leaks, slow drains, water damage to walls, floors, ceilings, baseboards, flooring, insulation, water damage to electrical outlets, water damage to floors, furniture, cabinets, desks, countertops, paint, wallpaper, plaster, mortar joints, cracks in cement, cracks in brick, cracked foundation walls, and other problems that are likely to arise. Most homeowners choose to tackle minor plumbing repairs themselves rather than hire a contractor. However, in some instances, it makes more sense to hire a contractor to make sure that everything is done right the first time.
It’s smart to hire plumbing contractors during the final inspection of any home construction or renovation project. Plumbing companies frequently provide soil and contaminant testing as part of their final inspection. This information can help you avoid costly mistakes during the final inspection. A plumber can also tell you whether there are likely to be problems with the integrity of the pipes or fixtures due to changes made to the structure of the home. While building or renovating your home, you may notice changes in the construction or plumbing work that wasn’t present when the house was built or renovated.
Another common plumbing problem that plumbers see involves the installation of underground drain pipes. In most homes, stormwater drainage systems are located within the walls or floors of a home. Sometimes, however, a homeowner decides to connect an above-ground drain to an existing below-ground system. Unfortunately, this connection isn’t always made correctly and can lead to the plumbing contractors calling in an expert. This leads to the next common plumbing problem that plumbers encounter. Leaks.
While leaks are typically the work of amateurs, plumbers also deal with major plumbing problems regularly. One of the most frustrating things for homeowners is waking up to a leaking toilet or sink, only to find out that it wasn’t the fault of a weekend splashing due to a cold snap. Plumbers can help solve these issues because they have training in water damage and drain pipe works. If a plumber believes the problem is one of these types, he/she will usually recommend an extensive repair job to be sure. In some cases, he/she won’t even recommend a service from a plumber because the damage will require the purchase of new equipment to correct.
Although some states require plumbing contractors to obtain state licenses to provide services, all states don’t need to do so. For example, in some states, a contractor license is not required for building contractors. Still, it is necessary for sub-contractors who are allowed to do plumbing work under the supervision of licensed plumbers. Some states also don’t require a licensing examination for general contractors, only for those working specifically with building projects.
Finally, there’s one more thing that makes a plumbing contractor different from a regular plumber: fees. Plumbing contractors aren’t trained or experienced in doing large, complicated tasks. This means that they can usually do all of the required basic repairs without any extra guidance, but some special cases may call for something else. For example, if a pipe is leaking and needs to be repaired, a professional plumber will know how much pipe repair is necessary and the best options. On the other hand, a nonprofessional plumber will not have this knowledge and may damage the pipes or, worse, put their own life at risk by using the wrong tools. So as you can see, plumbing contractors step up from ordinary plumbers, but the job doesn’t require a license.