Commercial emergencies we respond to
Backups and overflows
A floor drain, restroom or kitchen line backing up into a work area.
Water heater failure
No hot water in a kitchen or salon, which can force a closure.
Leaks and floods
A burst pipe in a ceiling or a service line leak outside.
Restroom failures
Running toilets, clogged urinals and leaking flush valves in public restrooms.
The first steps match a home: stop water use in the affected area, find the shutoff, and photograph the damage. Call us and say whether the business can stay open. We prioritize getting the essentials working.
Restaurants and food service
Kitchens produce grease, and a grease line that is not cleaned on a schedule will back up. We clear the line with a cable or hydro jetting and suggest a maintenance schedule based on what we find.
Floor drains in a kitchen are a common pain point. They carry grease and food, and they back up at the wrong time. We also check the disposal, the three-compartment sink and the dish machine connections.
| Business type | Common issue | Typical response |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant | Grease backups, floor drains | Jet the line, set a schedule |
| Retail shop | Restroom leaks, water heater | Repair and restore quickly |
| Office | Running toilets, slow drains | Fix parts and clear lines |
| Salon | Sink drain clogs from hair, hot water loss | Clear and repair |
| Multifamily | Shared stack backups | Camera and jet |
Business impacted?
Call and tell us what is down. We will advise on the fastest way to get you open.
What to tell us on the first call
- The type of business and whether you can stay open.
- Which fixtures or areas are affected, and whether the customers can still use the restroom.
- Whether the water or the gas is shut off and where the shutoffs are.
- Who has authority to approve work and who will meet the plumber.
- Whether the building is owned or leased, since the landlord may control the shutoff or the lateral.
Tenants often ask who pays. That depends on the lease, so check it, and call the property manager when the failure may be in a shared line. We keep photos and a written summary of what we found, which helps with the landlord and with your insurer.
Planned maintenance and installation
A scheduled visit costs less than an emergency. We offer routine drain cleaning, water heater checks, restroom fixture replacement and camera checks of laterals. Because the owner is responsible for the lateral under the street per Central San, a periodic camera inspection is a practical safeguard.
For new tenant improvements, our plumbing installation page covers the rough-in and fixture steps. Commercial work follows the California Plumbing Code, and permit requirements depend on the city.
What to do while you wait for the plumber
- Close the shutoff for the affected fixture, or the main if water is spreading.
- Move stock, paper and electronics away from the water.
- Put up a sign to keep staff and customers out of the wet area.
- Do not use the restroom or the dish machine on a backed-up line.
- Photograph the problem before cleanup for your records.
What affects commercial plumbing cost
We give a clear price before work starts. Factors:
Business insurance may cover consequential loss from a sudden event. Review the policy and document the downtime.
Want your real number? Describe the job on the call and we quote it before work starts.
Service area
We serve businesses along Contra Costa Boulevard in 94523, and also in 94520 in Concord and 94596 in Walnut Creek. See the Walnut Creek page for that side of our area.
Commercial work follows the California Plumbing Code, which is based on the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC), plus any requirements from the local health department for food service and from your water supplier for backflow protection.
Common questions
Yes. The line is answered 24/7. Call and describe what is down, and we will book the earliest visit.
Yes. We can schedule planned work outside hours, and priced separately.
Yes, with cable or jetting, and we can suggest a schedule.
We can install and repair them. Testing requirements depend on the water agency, so ask your supplier.
Yes. We give a clear price and a written summary of the work.
Central San states that the owner is responsible for the lateral up to the public sewer.
Still have a question about your situation? Call (855) 575-2890 any hour and describe what you are seeing.