Protect your kitchen, your reputation, and your bottom line.

When you run a commercial kitchen, plumbing problems aren’t just inconvenient—they’re dangerous to your bottom line. One overlooked drain backup or faulty water heater can put you on the wrong side of a health inspector, or worse, shut you down mid-service.

At LGE Prime Plumbing, we specialize in helping San Diego restaurants avoid costly disruptions. From North Park cafés to La Jolla fine dining kitchens, we’ve seen what happens when plumbing issues go unchecked—and we know how to fix them before they become emergencies.

Here are five of the most common restaurant plumbing issues that can lead to violations, delays, or even closure.

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San Diego restaurant plumbing issues

1. Floor Drain Backups – A Top Restaurant Plumbing Issue

If water pools around your kitchen floor sinks, bar areas, or mop stations, it’s a major red flag. In commercial kitchens, standing water can quickly turn into a sanitation hazard and lead to a failed health inspection.

Grease, food particles, and soap scum build up inside your drain lines over time, restricting flow. And if your pipes are improperly pitched, the water has nowhere to go.

Pro Tip: Schedule routine drain cleaning and camera inspections to identify and resolve issues before they back up.

2. Hot Water Failures in Busy Kitchens

Hot water isn’t optional in food service—it’s required by law. If your water heater can’t keep up during the lunch or dinner rush, you risk immediate noncompliance.

Some signs include:

  • Slow recovery times between uses

  • Temperature drops mid-shift

  • Employees unable to wash hands or sanitize properly

What You Can Do: Have your system evaluated by a pro. At LGE Prime Plumbing, we install and service commercial-grade water heaters that meet food service demands and health code regulations.

3. Grease Trap Smells or Overflows

Grease traps are essential—but when they’re neglected, they become your worst nightmare.

Overflowing grease traps lead to:

  • Strong, foul odors

  • Frequent backups in floor sinks and dishwashers

  • Failed inspections due to FOG (fat, oil, grease) violations

Pro Tip: Stay compliant with scheduled grease trap maintenance. We also offer hydro jetting and descaling to clear grease buildup deep in your lines.

4. Leaky Fixtures – A Common Restaurant Plumbing Problem

That dripping prep sink or leaky faucet may seem minor—but it could signal a much bigger problem.

Leaky plumbing can:

  • Waste hundreds of gallons of water per week

  • Cause mold growth under sinks and counters

  • Create unsafe working conditions

What You Can Do: Have a licensed plumber repair or replace problem fixtures before they trigger a code violation. Our plumbing repair team works quickly and cleanly—even during business hours.

5. Overdue Gas Line & Backflow Checks

Two things that should never be ignored: gas and water quality. Both are regulated, and both can get your restaurant shut down if overlooked.

  • Gas lines: Over time, fittings loosen and lines corrode—especially near stoves or fryers.

  • Backflow preventers: If not tested annually, they can fail and contaminate your water supply.

Pro Tip: We perform backflow repairs, and we’re licensed for full gas line installation and inspection in commercial kitchens.

 

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Protect Your Kitchen from Plumbing Violations

Plumbing problems in restaurants escalate fast—and they often strike at the worst possible time.

Whether you’re preparing for a health inspection or recovering from a late-night leak, LGE Prime Plumbing is ready to help you stay up and running.

✅ Family-owned and operating in San Diego since 2010

✅ Fast response, respectful techs, and no surprise charges

✅ Specialists in restaurant plumbing, not just residential

📞 Call (858) 366-8735 or book a service online