Commercial Plumbing in Riverside, CA

Typical commercial jobs

• Grease-heavy kitchen drains and main line clogs.
• High-capacity tank and tankless water heaters.
• Restroom fixtures, flush valves and sensor faucets.
• Backflow assembly testing, rebuilds and replacement.
• Gas lines for cooking equipment and heaters.
• Leak tracing in slab-built retail and office space.
• Tenant improvement rough-in and fixture changes.

Backflow is on the calendar every year

Businesses are more likely than homes to have cross connections, from soda machines and boilers to irrigation and fire lines. Where RPU requires backflow protection, the owner installs, maintains and pays for the assembly. It must be tested after installation, relocation or repair and at least once a year by a Riverside County certified tester approved by the City, with the report sent to RPU. Missing a test notice is an easy way to end up in a compliance problem.

Hard water costs businesses money

RPU lists hardness at an average of 197 mg/L, about 12 grains per gallon. A restaurant or salon running hot water all day builds scale fast in heaters, dish machines and mixing valves. Softening or regular descaling protects that equipment and keeps hot water steady through a busy shift.

Permits and who to call

City of Riverside Building & Safety issues plumbing permits; its Permit Counter is (951) 826-5800, and an online Public Permit Portal is available. For water service issues, RPU's contact line is (951) 782-0330. For sewer main concerns in most of the city, Public Works is at (951) 826-5311. A few areas get water or wastewater service from Western Municipal or Eastern Municipal Water District, so confirm the provider for your address.

Gas safety in commercial kitchens

If anyone smells gas, get people out first. From a safe spot, call 911 and SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200. A plumber can repair piping after the utility has made the site safe.

Keeping downtime short

1. Know where the main shutoff and fixture stops are, and label them.
2. Keep backflow test dates and reports in one folder.
3. Schedule drain maintenance before problems hit during peak hours.

What affects the cost

Cost depends on the type of work, after-hours scheduling, access in occupied spaces, equipment size, permits, and whether parts must be ordered.