How to Benchmark Your Building’s Plumbing Efficiency

For facilities managers, landlords, and commercial property owners, plumbing systems are often out of sight and out of mind — until something goes wrong. But poor plumbing efficiency isn’t always visible. It shows up in rising utility bills, recurring faults, tenant complaints, and unnecessary water waste.

At Pleasant Plumbers, we work with commercial clients across London to measure and improve plumbing efficiency, helping buildings perform better, reduce risk, and save money long-term. Here’s how to benchmark your building’s plumbing performance — and how to raise the standard.

Plumbing efficiency refers to how effectively your building’s water systems deliver reliable service with minimal waste, energy use, and maintenance issues. A high-efficiency system:

• Uses water and energy responsibly
• Minimises leaks, pressure loss, and blockages
• Requires fewer repairs and less downtime
• Meets legal and environmental compliance standards
• Offers predictable operational costs

To measure plumbing performance, start with these essential KPIs:

1. Water Usage Per Occupant (Litres/day)

This helps you spot anomalies and set realistic reduction targets. Benchmark against national commercial averages or similar buildings.

2. Leakage Rate (%)

Track unaccounted-for water usage between meter readings and actual occupancy use. Leaks = wasted money.

3. Callout Frequency (Reactive Plumbing Jobs/Month)

High volumes suggest inefficiencies, ageing infrastructure, or poor preventative maintenance.

4. First-Time Fix Rate (%)

The percentage of issues resolved on the first visit. Below 80% = inefficiencies in diagnosis, staffing, or contractor quality.

5. Average Cost Per Repair

Track trends in plumbing spend. Is your budget being eaten by emergency work that could have been prevented?

6. Drainage Blockage Frequency

Especially relevant in multi-tenant buildings. Recurring blockages = poor design or lack of scheduled jetting/maintenance.

7. Boiler & Cylinder Uptime (%)

A key indicator of heating water system reliability and risk exposure.

• Install smart water meters and pressure sensors to track consumption and anomalies in real time
• Use maintenance logs and CAFM data to track faults, response times, and repair outcomes
• Conduct annual plumbing audits with a qualified commercial plumber
• Compare across sites if managing multiple properties
• Work with contractors who provide clear, reportable data (like Pleasant Plumbers)

Once benchmarks are set, develop a strategy to improve:

• Fix long-term leaks and pressure losses
• Replace ageing pipework or inefficient fittings
• Schedule routine drain jetting and inspections
• Install water-saving fixtures in WCs, taps, and kitchens
• Implement a Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) programme
• Train on-site teams to spot early signs of failure

We work with commercial landlords, office managers, and FM teams to audit plumbing performance and deliver ongoing reporting — all while reducing reactive costs. Contact us to book a survey/audit today.

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