Commercial plumbing is repair and service work on the supply, drain, gas and pump systems of a non-residential building. That includes restrooms, kitchens, floor drains, water heaters and the lines that serve them.
If water is escaping, close the nearest fixture shutoff or the suite's main valve, keep customers away from the wet floor and call us. Tell the dispatcher if you are the owner, the tenant or the property manager.
Remount Road, Rivers Avenue and after-hours calls
Rivers Avenue (US-52) is Hanahan's main commercial corridor, and Remount Road runs through the same part of the city. Offices, shops, restaurants and service businesses along those roads often call after closing, when a problem is found in the morning or an alarm goes off overnight. Our office is on Remount Road, and we treat after-hours calls as part of the job.
What that means for you: tell us the address and the cross street, and tell us whether anyone can open the building at night. A plumber arriving at a locked unit cannot do much.
The 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC), with South Carolina modifications, applies to commercial buildings as well as homes, along with the other codes the City of Hanahan lists. A property manager should expect an inspection question on any larger scope.
For backflow requirements, ask your water utility directly. The code sets the device, and the utility sets the testing program.
Sources: City of Hanahan, Building Codes and SC LLR, Building Codes in Effect for South Carolina. Checked October 2026.
Burst pipe, backup or flood in a business: first steps
Protect people first, stock second.
Clear the area
Keep customers and staff away from wet floors and standing water. Put up a sign or a barrier.
Find the shutoff
Close the valve at the fixture, then the suite or building main if water keeps coming. In a multi-tenant building, the main may be controlled by the landlord, so call the property manager now.
Stop using upstream fixtures
For a backup, stop flushing, washing and running dishwashers. More water adds to the overflow.
Protect power and stock
Move inventory, files and equipment out of the water. Stay away from outlets and panels in wet areas.
Photograph and call
Take photos for your insurer and for the landlord, then call us with the address and what you see.
Commercial leak detection: scope, approvals and work orders
Finding a hidden leak in a commercial building is different from a home. The leak may be in a shared wall, above a ceiling that belongs to another tenant, or in a line that serves several units. Before we open anything, someone with authority has to approve the work, and that is often a property manager, a landlord or a tenant representative.
That is why the plumber may need a work order or written approval first. We tell you what we need on the call. We do not promise instant scheduling, and we do not open a wall without permission. What we do is describe the likely source, the scope and what has to be approved so the job moves once it is.
Leak detection methods in a business include meter readings, pressure testing of isolated sections, listening devices and camera work. The right choice depends on the building, and we explain it before we start.
Water or sewage problem right now?Call the 24/7 line. A licensed plumber, a clear price before work starts.
Call (855) 575-2890Who approves what: owner, landlord or tenant
Leases differ, so check yours. This is a typical starting point.
| Situation | Who usually approves | What we need from you |
|---|---|---|
| Leak inside your leased suite | Tenant, with notice to the landlord | Lease contact, suite access and a work order if required |
| Leak in a shared wall or ceiling | Property manager or landlord | Written approval and building access |
| Main supply or building drain | Owner or property manager | Authorization and the shutoff location |
| Restaurant kitchen drain or grease trap | Tenant, sometimes the landlord | Kitchen access and operating hours |
| Owner-occupied building | Owner | Access and a contact who can approve |
Backflow testing: planned work set by your water provider
Backflow prevention devices keep water from flowing backward into the public supply. Which buildings need them, how often they are tested and who receives the report are set by the water provider's backflow program. For most of Hanahan that provider is Charleston Water System, but confirm which utility serves your street.
Ask your utility what your property needs, and check charlestonwater.com for current program information. We do not state the rules for you. If your utility asks for testing, it is planned work, not an emergency, and we can schedule it. A failed device may need repair or replacement before it passes.
Grease trap cleaning for kitchens
Restaurants and food service shops use grease traps and interceptors to catch fats before they reach the drain. A full trap smells, slows kitchen drains and can back up into the dish area. Small traps under a sink can be cleaned by a plumber, while large in-ground interceptors usually need a vacuum truck from a licensed hauler. We tell you which you have before we do any work.
Disposal of trap waste is regulated, and the rules come from your utility and local authorities. Ask them what they require and keep your service records. If your drains keep backing up even after a cleaning, the cause may be the line, and drain cleaning or hydro jetting may be next.
Commercial drain service
A slow restroom drain, a backed-up kitchen line or a floor drain that smells all point to the same questions: how far does the blockage sit, what is in it and how does the line run? We clear the line, camera it when needed and tell you whether the problem is local or part of a bigger run. Roots, grease and paper towels are the common causes in commercial lines.
If the blockage keeps returning or the line is shared with other tenants, sewer line cleaning and a camera inspection may be the right next step.
How a commercial service call works
The sequence differs from a home visit because more people have a say.
- 1
Dispatch and details
You tell us the address, the problem, who can approve work and who can let us in.
- 2
Make safe
We stop active water or isolate the fixture or branch, and tell you what is affected.
- 3
Diagnose
We find the cause with the right tools and explain it to whoever approves the work.
- 4
Approval
Work moves once the owner, manager or tenant approves the scope and the price.
- 5
Repair and report
We fix the problem, test it and give you a written note you can pass to the landlord or insurer.
For property managers calling on behalf of tenants
If you manage a building and a tenant reports a problem, call us with the tenant's contact, the suite number and your authority to approve work. We will ask who pays, who can sign and whether other tenants are affected. That keeps the plumber from waiting on approvals.
For repeating problems across suites, we can look at the building lines and tell you whether the issue is local or shared. Work in North Charleston and nearby areas follows the same approach.
What affects the price of commercial plumbing
We do not post prices. These drive the number.
- Scope and access
- A single fixture is quick. A hidden leak across a building takes longer.
- Building type
- Restaurants, retail and multi-tenant offices each add their own constraints.
- Timing
- After-hours and emergency work follow different rates than planned maintenance.
- Equipment
- Camera work, jetting and pumps add cost.
- Approvals and paperwork
- Work orders and building rules can add visits.
Business insurance may cover sudden water damage but often excludes wear and tear and gradual leaks. Ask your carrier and your landlord, photograph everything and keep invoices.
Call with the address and the problem and we will give a clear price before work starts.
Floor drain backups and lift pump failures in basements and service areas are covered under our drain service. Tell us what the pump or drain serves and whether alarms are going off.
Frequently asked questions
Do you handle commercial plumbing emergencies at night or on weekends in Hanahan?
Yes. Dispatch runs 24/7, and we take after-hours calls for burst lines, backups and flooding. We do not promise a time of arrival, but we ask the right questions to get a plumber moving.
Tell us who can open the building.
I am a landlord. Can I call for my tenant?
Yes, if you can authorize the work. We will ask for the tenant's contact and suite access.
Do you need a work order before starting?
Often yes in managed buildings. We tell you what is needed on the call.
Do you do backflow testing?
Yes, as planned work. Ask your water utility what your property needs.
Can you clean a grease trap?
Small traps, yes. Large interceptors usually need a vacuum truck hauler.
What about a floor drain or lift pump?
We service both. Tell us what the drain or pump serves.