When a plumbing failure shuts a business down
Most businesses cannot stay open with sewage on the floor or no working restroom. Close the valve at the failed fixture, or the building's main water valve if you cannot find it. Move stock, paper and electronics off the floor, and photograph the water before you clean up.
Then call us. After-hours and weekend calls are part of the job, and we offer same-day appointments when available. It helps to know where the main valve is before you need it, so tag it for your staff.
- Sewage or water backing up from floor drains or restrooms.
- A burst or leaking line inside a wall, ceiling or slab.
- A water heater failure that stops a kitchen or restroom.
- A failed shutoff or flush valve that keeps water running.
- A kitchen grease line that is backing up into the dining area.
What we handle in commercial buildings
| Setting | Common problems | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Office and retail restrooms | Clogged toilets, running flush valves, leaking supply lines | Repair or replace fixtures, clear drains |
| Restaurants and food service | Grease clogs, floor drain backups, hot water loss | Clear lines, repair fixtures and heaters, camera the drain |
| Warehouses and industrial units | Floor drains, hose bibs, restroom failures, water heaters | Repair or replace, reach long drain runs |
| Multi-tenant buildings | A shared stack backing up, unclear ownership | Locate the blockage, report which line is affected |
Business plumbing down? A plumber is on the 24/7 line. Call before the problem reaches your stock.
Call (855) 575-2890Hazelwood business parks and what they mean for plumbing
Hazelwood has several large business areas. The former Ford assembly plant site, where production ran from 1948 to 2006, is redeveloping as Aviator Business Park, with the Hazelwood Logistics Center across Lindbergh Boulevard. TradePort is a 325-acre industrial park north of the St. Louis Outlet Mall, which was formerly St. Louis Mills.
Large buildings in parks like these usually have long drain runs and one main shutoff for a whole unit. If you lease space in one, ask for the plumbing plan, find the main valve and the floor drains on your first day, and check your lease for who owns repairs inside the unit and who owns the shared lines. Sewer service is MSD, and plumbing permits for tenant work go through St. Louis County by way of the city.
The City of Hazelwood lists the 2021 International Building Code and International Mechanical Code among its adopted codes, and the International Plumbing Code (IPC) is the model code commonly used for fixture counts and backflow protection in commercial buildings. Ask the county which plumbing edition applies to your property.
Backflow testing and prevention
A backflow preventer stops used or contaminated water from flowing back into the public supply. It is common on fire lines, irrigation systems, boilers and food service equipment. Water suppliers and local authorities usually require these devices to be tested every year.
Testing must be done by a certified backflow tester. Ask to see the tester's credential, keep the report, and send it to whoever requires it, which is often your water supplier. We repair and replace a failed assembly and the piping around it. Testing is a separate credential from plumbing repair, so ask on the call who will perform it.
Grease traps and interceptors
A grease trap catches fats, oils and food solids from kitchen drains before they reach the sewer. Small traps sit under the sink. Larger interceptors are buried outside. A trap that is full sends grease down the line, and signs include slow kitchen drains, bad smells and flies.
Many authorities use a simple rule of cleaning when grease and solids fill about a quarter of the trap. Pumping out an in-ground interceptor needs a vacuum truck and a licensed hauler, which is separate from plumbing work. We do not haul grease. We repair the lines, clear the blockages and hydro jet the line beyond the trap. Ask MSD at 314-768-6260 what applies to your business.
What drives commercial plumbing prices
We do not publish national price ranges for commercial work because buildings vary too much. The factors below set the price, and you get a clear price before work starts.
If a failure closes your business, ask your insurer whether water damage or business interruption coverage applies, and keep photos and invoices.
What we do not do
We do not install or inspect fire sprinkler systems, and we do not work on medical gas. Boiler plants and industrial process piping need specialty contractors. Bigger projects are priced after a walkthrough, not over the phone.
We do repair drains, sewers, water heaters and fixtures. See drain cleaning, sewer line cleaning and sewer inspection. We also take calls from nearby towns such as Maryland Heights.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Close the failed valve, call, and we will schedule the visit with same-day appointments when available.
Yes. We take calls for Aviator Business Park, the Hazelwood Logistics Center, TradePort and the area around the St. Louis Outlet Mall, as well as stores, offices and restaurants across Hazelwood.
The lease decides. Shared lines are usually the landlord's, while fixtures inside a unit are often the tenant's. Check your lease before the visit.
Water suppliers and local authorities usually require an annual test by a certified tester. Confirm the requirement for your device with your water supplier.
Many authorities use the one-quarter rule, cleaning when grease and solids fill about a quarter of the trap. Ask MSD at 314-768-6260 what applies to your business.
Often, yes. Hazelwood contracts with St. Louis County for plumbing permits and inspections, and the city's Inspections and Permits office at 314-513-5034 can confirm what your job needs.
Questions about your situation? A licensed plumber is on the line any hour.
Call (855) 575-2890