Commercial Plumbing in Springfield, VA

What to expect when you call

You'll be asked about the property, the problem and whether customers are affected. Then you're connected with an independent local plumber who takes commercial jobs in Springfield, whether it's a restaurant on Old Keene Mill Road, a shop near Springfield Town Center or an office near the Franconia-Springfield Metro and VRE station. Ask about pricing, the scope of the first visit and after-hours options.

Things that change the price

• Age of the building and condition of its drain and supply lines
• Camera inspection and jetting on long runs to the sewer
• Number of tenants or fixtures affected
• Permits through Fairfax County
• Night or weekend work

Springfield conditions

Springfield went from about 1,000 residents in 1950 to more than 25,000 by 1970, and the median home was built in 1974. Commercial strips and office buildings from that boom can still have original cast iron drains, older supply piping and worn shutoff valves. Restaurant lines in these buildings clog faster, and a camera inspection is often the quickest way to see whether a backup is grease or a broken pipe.

Fairfax Water serves most populated parts of the county from its Potomac River and Occoquan Reservoir plants; confirm your utility on the bill. The water runs moderately hard to hard, enough to scale commercial water heaters and dish machines. Under Fairfax Water's cross-connection rules, underground irrigation needs backflow assemblies tested at installation, every year after and whenever repaired or replaced (571-722-7653).

Fairfax County Wastewater Management runs the public sewer, and the owner maintains the private lateral from the building to the County sewer, including the connection. If sewage backs up, call the County's 24-hour line at 703-323-1211 to rule out the main. Permits come from Land Development Services through PLUS (703-222-0801). Washington Gas serves the area; if staff smell gas, everyone leaves, then someone calls 911 and 844-WASHGAS (844-927-4427), option 1.

Quick checklist

• Locate the main water shutoff and sewer cleanouts
• Note which fixtures back up and when
• Have backflow test paperwork on hand
• Know whether the lease makes the tenant or landlord responsible
• Clear space around the water heater