Workshops, warehouses and small shops
The area around Fullerton Municipal Airport on the city's west side includes hangars, workshops, warehouses and small industrial and service businesses, along with nearby retail and homes. Plumbing in these buildings is usually simpler than a restaurant's, but it has its own weak spots.
Floor drains in shops and warehouses may sit unused for long stretches and dry out. Process water, wash bays and equipment connections can require backflow protection. Large slab floors hide supply lines, and small office restrooms see heavy use from crews.
Typical plumbing conditions
- Buildings
- Industrial, warehouse and workshop buildings, plus nearby retail
- Foundations
- Slab-on-grade is typical
- Drains
- Floor drains, utility sinks and wash areas; some may require special handling of what goes down them
- Water
- City of Fullerton water utility; hard water
- Gas
- SoCalGas
Common issues and first moves
| Issue | First move |
|---|---|
| Sewer smell in the shop | Pour water into unused floor drains; ask about trap primers |
| Rising water bill | Run an after-hours meter test for hidden leaks |
| Equipment or wash connection added | Ask whether backflow protection is required |
| Utility sink drains slowly | Check what is going down it; some materials should never enter the sewer |
| Restroom fixtures running | Close control stops and schedule service |
A short list for shop and warehouse managers
Questions to ask a plumber
- Do any of our connections need backflow protection?
- Would trap primers solve our floor drain odors?
- Are any of our drains connected to something other than the sanitary sewer?
- Where does our water line run under the slab?
Common questions
Who regulates what we put down shop drains?
Discharge rules come from the city and other agencies. Check with the City of Fullerton before sending anything unusual down a drain.
Why do warehouse floor drains smell?
Unused drains lose the water in their traps, letting sewer gas in. Regular priming or a trap primer usually fixes it.
Does a small shop need backflow testing?
It depends on the connections. Check with the City of Fullerton water utility.
General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.