Commercial plumbing

Commercial plumbing in Westminster, CO

Commercial plumbing in Westminster: a leak in the back room, a restroom out of order or a drain backing up in your shop or office? A plumbing problem can close a business. Call (720) 861-8125 now to see if an independent plumber can reach your address.

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Pressure gauges mounted on a run of insulated pipes

Common problems

Common business plumbing problems

Business plumbing is larger and busier than a home's, and a problem affects customers and staff as well.

Restroom fixtures out of order

Clogged toilets, leaking urinals or flush valves that no longer work. A business often has to close a restroom until it is fixed.

Floor drains or grease lines backing up

Kitchens and food service rely on grease handling. A backed-up floor drain or grease trap needs attention soon.

Water heater problems at scale

Commercial water heaters feed kitchens, restrooms and cleaning. Loss of hot water can stop operations.

Leaks in walls, ceilings or shared spaces

A leak above a ceiling can damage stock, equipment and neighboring units.

Low pressure on upper floors

In a multi-story or older building, low pressure can come from valves, pipe scale or a pressure regulator.

Repeat backups in a rental building

Several tenants affected by the same drain points to a shared line, and the owner or property manager usually arranges the repair.

Safe checks before you call

Find the main and branch shut-offs. Know where the building's main water valve and any unit shut-offs are, and who has the key.
Contact the owner or property manager. If you rent, the lease may say who arranges plumbing repairs. Tell the manager before you call a plumber.
Document the problem. Photograph the damage and note the time, so you can show the owner or your insurer.

When to call a professional

A restroom, kitchen or hot water supply is out of use.
A drain or grease line is backing up.
Water is reaching stock, equipment, electrical gear or other tenants.
The problem involves a shared line or a building system.

Safety first: Keep customers and staff away from standing water and sewage. Water near electrical equipment can be dangerous, so shut off the power only if you can do so safely, and call an electrician or the utility.

Recognize the problem? Call to ask whether an independent plumber can reach your address.

Call (720) 861-8125

How a plumber typically diagnoses commercial plumbing problems

Find which part of the system is affected: a fixture, a branch line, the main drain or the building's supply.
Look at the equipment, valves and the size of the system, and decide how to restore service with the least disruption.
Give you a written estimate and explain the permit, access and scheduling needs for a business setting.

What affects the cost of commercial plumbing work

The size and complexity of the system, and the access the plumber has during business hours or after.
The type of equipment, such as commercial water heaters, backflow assemblies or grease management.
Permit and inspection requirements for the work.

This website doesn't set prices. Ask the plumber for a written estimate before you approve any work.

Local conditions

Business plumbing is not the same as home plumbing

Colorado lets owners do plumbing work on their own residence, but that exemption does not cover rental property or commercial buildings. Plumbing work at a business has to be done by a plumber who holds a state license, and the State Plumbing Board's lookup lets you check one.

Westminster's Building Division regulates plumbing modifications, water heater installation and underground sewer or water line work, and the same permit rules apply to commercial properties. Some nearby cities run backflow programs that require assemblies to be tested every year, for example Northglenn and Arvada, so ask the plumber whether your building has assemblies that need testing.

Business types

Restaurants, offices, rentals and multifamily buildings

Commercial plumbing problems are shaped by the building and by who owns what, so a commercial plumber will usually start by asking about both.

Restaurants and food service

Grease is the main enemy. Kitchen drains, grease traps and interceptors need regular cleaning, and a grease-filled line is a common cause of repeat backups. Thornton's wastewater page, for example, warns that grease can cause a backup.

Offices and retail

Restrooms, water heaters and floor drains. Downtime matters, so ask what a plumber can do outside business hours, without assuming it.

Rental and multifamily

One failing line can affect several units. Colorado's own-home exemption does not cover rentals, so the owner or manager arranges a licensed plumber.

Backflow protection

Some businesses have backflow preventers on sprinkler or process lines. Many water providers require them to be tested, so ask your water utility and your plumber about local rules.

A commercial water heater or sewer repair often needs a permit, just as at home. See emergency plumbing for after-hours problems and drain cleaning for recurring clogs in drains and grease lines.

Decisions

Repair now or plan the work?

When a problem shuts a restroom or a kitchen, restore service first and plan the lasting repair next. Ask the plumber whether a temporary fix is safe and how long it should last.

For larger work, such as replacing a water heater or a section of drain, ask for a written estimate with the permit, access, schedule and clean-up listed. If you are a tenant, get the owner's approval before you agree to work.

What to tell the plumber

The business type, building age and the area affected.
Who owns the building and who is authorized to approve the work.
When the plumber can have access, and any hours when customers or staff are in the way.

Discuss the diagnosis, pricing and timing directly with the plumber, and confirm their license and insurance before work begins.

If you rent your space, tell the building owner or property manager before you approve work. Many leases say who arranges plumbing repairs.

Plumbing problem at your business? Close the valve if you can, then call to ask whether an independent plumber can reach your address.

Call (720) 861-8125

Maintenance

Simple care that helps prevent repeat problems

Keep grease out of drains and have grease traps cleaned on a schedule.
Post the location of the main shut-off where staff can find it.
Test backflow assemblies and valves on the schedule your city requires.

Questions

Commercial Plumbing questions

Can I do my own plumbing at my business?

Colorado's exemption for owners covers their own residence, not rentals or commercial buildings. A plumber who holds a state license should do plumbing work at a business.

Who pays for plumbing in a rented space?

It depends on the lease. Many leases make the owner or property manager responsible for building plumbing. Check the lease and tell the manager before you call.

Do commercial plumbing jobs need permits?

Westminster's permit rules for plumbing modifications, water heaters and underground lines apply to commercial work as well. Ask the plumber who pulls the permit.

What if the plumbing problem is after hours?

We can't promise a time or an after-hours option. Availability depends on the plumber and your address, so call and describe the problem.

What is backflow testing?

A backflow preventer stops used or contaminated water from flowing back into the drinking-water supply. Many water providers require periodic testing by a certified tester. Ask your water utility what applies to your property.

Who is responsible for a grease trap or grease line backup?

Usually the business that produces the grease, unless your lease says otherwise. Read the lease and tell the building owner or manager before you approve work.

Where we take calls

Commercial Plumbing calls from across the north Denver metro area

Each local guide explains who handles permits and utilities there and what to check first.

Westminster area

North and east

West and north

Other services

Water dripping from the open end of a pipe

Sources and further reading

C.R.S. 12-155-118, exemptions — Colorado Revised Statutes. Owners may do plumbing work on their own residence; rentals and commercial buildings are not covered (text hosted by Public.Law).
State Plumbing Board — Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations. Colorado plumber license types and the license lookup.
Plumbing permit and inspection information — Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations. Who can pull a plumbing permit and when inspections happen.
Residential building permit requirements (PDF) — City of Westminster. Which plumbing work needs a permit in Westminster.
Consumer protection: home and repair — Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Check a professional's license before hiring.

Need commercial plumbing help? Call to get started.

One call tells you whether an independent local plumber can reach your address.

Call (720) 861-8125 Check your ZIP