If water is spreading in a shop, restaurant or office, close the nearest shutoff, keep customers and staff clear of wet floors and call. Our 24/7 dispatch takes commercial calls at night, on weekends and on holidays, and the plumber who arrives can isolate the problem so you can open on time. Note which fixture, line or floor drain is affected so the right tools are brought.
What commercial plumbing covers
Commercial systems are larger than residential ones and are run by different rules. They have more fixtures, longer pipe runs, grease and floor drains, backflow devices and water heaters sized for demand. The work includes service calls, repairs, planned installs and maintenance.
| Service | Typical property | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Drain and sewer clearing | Restaurants, retail, multi-unit | A blocked line closes the business |
| Hydro jetting | Food service and laundry | Removes grease and scale from long lines |
| Water heater service | Salons, restaurants, offices | Demand is higher than residential |
| Leak detection | Offices and retail | Hidden leaks damage tenant spaces |
| Fixture repair and install | All commercial | Toilets, faucets, urinals and sinks wear fast |
| Backflow testing support | Restaurants, medical, irrigation | Protects the public water supply |
Restaurants, retail and offices near Route 3A and Derby Street
Hingham has an open-air shopping center on Derby Street and a waterfront mixed-use area at Hingham Shipyard, plus businesses along Route 3A and in the Square. Properties like these share older and newer plumbing in the same block, and tenants may not know who owns which line. We start by finding the shutoffs and the line map.
For a restaurant, grease is the usual culprit. A grease trap that is not cleaned on schedule pushes grease into the building drain, and the line backs up on the busiest night. We service the downstream line and tell you what the trap needs. Hydro jetting is often the follow-up.
After-hours calls: what we need from you
- 1
Make it safe
Close the shutoff, keep people clear and avoid electrical hazards near water.
- 2
Call dispatch
Give the address, the fixture or line, and whether it is active or contained.
- 3
Meet the plumber
Show them the shutoff, the clean-out and any previous problem spots.
- 4
Get a plan
The plumber stabilizes the problem and explains the repair and the cost.
Permits and rules for commercial work in Hingham
Hingham's posted fee schedule, effective January 29, 2024, lists a $60 minimum for one commercial fixture, $20 for each additional fixture and $60 plus $60 for a commercial water heater. Rough and final inspections are mandatory, and the plumber must be on site for them. Work started without a permit costs double the fee plus $150.
Massachusetts permits plumbing work only through licensed plumbers, and a licensed plumber pulls the permit. Landlords and tenants should clarify who is responsible before work begins. We help you get the right permit for the job.
Backflow, cross connections and grease
Commercial properties with irrigation, boilers, fire lines or food service may need backflow preventers. These devices protect the public water supply from contamination and often need periodic testing. Ask your water utility what applies to your property, because requirements depend on the utility and the hazard level.
Grease interceptors have their own cleaning schedules, and the local sewer authority may set rules. We can tell you what we see in the line and recommend cleaning intervals.
What commercial plumbing costs
Commercial jobs vary more than residential ones, so we confirm scope before work starts.
What moves the price
- Size and scopeA single fixture repair is not priced like a main line job.
- Access and hoursWorking around business hours can add time or after-hours cost.
- EquipmentJetters, cameras and lifts add cost.
- Code requirementsBackflow, grease and accessibility rules may add parts.
- PermitsTown fees and inspections are part of the work.
A commercial property policy may cover water damage from a sudden leak but often excludes the pipe itself. Review it with your agent and photograph the scene.
Want the number for your house? Call (339) 216-9771 and describe what you see.
We work in ZIP codes 02043 and 02044 in Hingham, 02025 in Cohasset, 02188 to 02191 in Weymouth, 02061 in Norwell and 02045 in Hull. For leak problems in a tenant space, see leak detection. For emergencies, call dispatch day or night.
What to do before the plumber arrives
- Shut the main water valve if water is spilling
- Move stock and electronics out of the wet area
- Keep customers and staff away from standing water and exposed wiring
- Photograph the damage for your insurer
- Write down which fixtures are affected so dispatch can plan the visit
According to the town, Hingham's commercial fee schedule starts at $60 for one fixture, $20 for each additional fixture and $60 plus $60 for a commercial water heater, and work without a permit costs double plus $150.
Shops and residential buildings share the waterfront at the Hingham Shipyard, where the question of who owns each line matters as much as the fix.
Questions homeowners ask
Yes. We handle drain and sewer clearing, water heaters, leak detection, fixtures and more for shops, restaurants and offices.
Yes. We take commercial calls 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. Close the nearest shutoff and call so the right equipment is sent.
Our dispatch line runs 24/7 and takes commercial calls at night, on weekends and on holidays.
Follow a grease trap schedule, keep fats out of the line and schedule periodic jetting.
A licensed plumber applies for it. The permit fee comes from the town's posted commercial schedule.
Backflow testing is a regulated service that depends on your water utility. Call and we will tell you what applies and who can test.