Water or Sewage on the Floor of Your Business
Act on safety first. Standing water near electrical equipment is dangerous, and sewage on a floor is a health issue for staff and customers. Close the area, switch off power to wet equipment if you can reach the panel dry, and post a sign.
Then find the water shutoff for the unit or building. In multi-tenant buildings the valve may be controlled by the property manager, so call them while you call us. Describe what you see to the dispatcher so the right plumber is sent.
Before the Plumber Gets There
These steps limit damage and help the repair move along.
- Close the shutoff for the affected fixture or unit
- Stop using sinks, toilets and floor drains if sewage is backing up
- Move stock and paper records above floor level
- Cut power to wet equipment only if it is safe to reach
- Take photos of the damage and the source
- Tell the property manager or landlord right away
- Keep a written log of times and actions
Common Commercial Problems and the Fix
Businesses see different failures than homes. This table links the symptom to the work.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Typical work |
|---|---|---|
| Floor drain overflowing | Debris, grease or roots in the line | Cabling or hydro jetting, then camera check |
| Grease trap smell or backup | Full or clogged trap and outlet | Cleaning and pumping of the trap |
| Wet ceiling tile or wall | Leak in a hidden supply or drain | Leak detection, then repair |
| Slow multiple fixtures | Main line restriction | Main line cleaning and inspection |
| Parking lot or yard ponding | Blocked storm drain or lateral | Storm drain cleaning |
The plumber confirms the cause on site before recommending the work.
Services for Shops, Restaurants and Property Managers
Most commercial calls fall into one of these groups.
Grease trap cleaning
Restaurants and food prep sites need traps emptied and cleaned on a schedule. The plumber checks baffles and outlets while it is open.
Storm drain cleaning
Roofs, lots and yards feed storm drains that fill with leaves and silt. Clearing them keeps water from pooling at doors and docks.
Backflow testing
Devices that guard the water supply are tested by a licensed plumber. Ask your water company how often yours is due.
Commercial drain service
Floor drains, mop sinks, restroom lines and main drains are cleaned by cabling or jetting.
Business Down Because of a Plumbing Problem?
Call (855) 575-2890 at any hour. Same-day appointments are offered when available.
Hunting Down a Leak Inside a Business
Commercial leaks hide above ceilings, behind walls and under slabs. The first clue is often a rising water bill or a stained tile in the back room. The EPA WaterSense meter test applies here too. Read the meter, stop all water use for two hours, and read it again.
If the number moves, the plumber uses electronic listening equipment and pressure checks to narrow the search. Our leak detection page explains the method. A business that wants to know before damage grows can call ahead of a planned closing time.
Serving Bandini Boulevard and the Florence Avenue Corridor
Bell's industrial and commercial activity centers on Bandini Boulevard and Florence Avenue. Bandini is the city's industrial corridor, and Florence Avenue is a commercial corridor where our own office sits.
Businesses on either street often work in older or shared buildings, so one drain line may serve more than one tenant. Tell the dispatcher your cross street and whether other tenants share the line, since that speeds up the diagnosis. We also serve Bell Gardens, Cudahy and Maywood.
Source type: City of Bell
How a Commercial Call Is Handled
A clear order of work keeps your downtime short.
- 1
Call and describe
Give the address, the fixtures affected and any safety risks.
- 2
Stop the damage
The plumber isolates the water, clears the worst blockage or shuts off the source.
- 3
Diagnose
A drain camera or pressure check shows what is wrong and how far it goes.
- 4
Price and repair
You see the clear price before work starts. If a landlord must approve it, the plumber can provide a written scope.
- 5
Document
You receive details of what was found and done for your records and insurer.
What Affects Commercial Plumbing Price
Commercial jobs vary more than home jobs. These factors drive the price.
Commercial property policies typically respond to sudden accidental water damage but not worn-out pipes or gradual leaks. Read the policy or ask the insurer, and check the lease for who holds responsibility. Tenants should notify the landlord and their business insurer.
Call (855) 575-2890 to get the price for your business.
Call (855) 575-2890Landlords, Tenants and Property Managers
Leases decide who pays. In general, the owner handles the building systems and the tenant handles fixtures they installed or damaged, but the lease controls. Read it before you hire anyone.
Property managers can set up a single point of contact for several units and ask for written reports after each visit. For drain lines serving a whole building, see our notes on drain cleaning for what cabling and jetting involve.
Commercial Plumbing questions
Yes. The line at (855) 575-2890 answers 24/7. While you wait, shut off the water to the affected area, keep staff and customers away from wet floors, and move stock off the floor.
Yes. Trap cleaning is part of commercial service. Tell the dispatcher about the trap type and size so the right equipment arrives.
It depends on the lease. Owners usually handle building systems, while tenants cover what they installed or damaged. Notify the landlord in writing and keep records.
A backflow device keeps water from reversing into the supply. Ask your water company or the Bell building department whether your property needs one and how often it is tested. Plumbing work in a business falls under the California Plumbing Code, which is based on the UPC, and the city building department can say what your site needs.
It often points to a restriction in the shared line. Stop using the fixtures and call so the line can be cleaned and inspected.
Yes. Service covers Bell and nearby towns including Bell Gardens, Cudahy and Maywood. Call (855) 575-2890 with the address.