If you’re taking over a commercial space to run a business and think the plumbing seems fine, think again. What you can’t see will hurt you down the road. Many business owners have found out the hard way that what looks fine can fail inspections and result in revoked permits and extra costs. And if you’re thinking about creating a DIY septic for your business – even in a rural area where septic systems are the norm – that can be equally problematic.
Although it may seem like a good idea at the time, cutting corners is never wise. Here’s why skipping a sewer hookup that meets all applicable regulations is asking for trouble.
Looks can be deceiving
Just because a business comes with sinks, toilets, and floor drains doesn’t mean everything is properly built and/or connected. Commercial sewer requirements vary based on the type of business, waste volume and grease output, local and municipal codes, and environmental health regulations. Even if a sewer hookup was legal for the last tenant, it might not be legal for you.
How businesses get burned
You can have everything about your business ready to go for your grand opening and still be blocked by the city because your sewer hookup doesn’t meet code. This problem begins with a failed inspection and can cost you revenue while you still have to pay rent and payroll. If you don’t address your sewer setup before you start doing business, the issue can snowball into weeks or months of delays that cost thousands of dollars.
The next problem is fines and forced shutdowns. Cities aren’t lenient when it comes to sewer violations. If your business is overloading an outdated connection or bypassing required grease traps, you could end up with hefty fines or a full shutdown until the problem is fixed.
Worse, if your sewer setup is in really bad shape, a sewer failure can be catastrophic. When things go wrong, you’ll end up paying double or triple the labor cost for emergency after-hours repairs on top of the cost of lost business and repairs to damaged flooring or equipment. At that point, the $8k to $15k install you were trying to avoid can turn into a $30k to $60k nightmare.
Even after cleaning up the physical damage, you’ll have to deal with health code violations and reputational damage. This can lead to negative reviews on Yelp and Google, even if the issue was only temporary.
Another place businesses get stuck is taking shortcuts. Commercial sewer needs are not the same as residential. Many homeowners get away with shoddy sewer and septic hookups and DIY-style constructions, but commercial sewers aren’t the same. They need to be built for volume and frequent use.
A proper sewer hookup is a worthy investment
A compliant sewer hookup is essential for operating your business smoothly. When your sewer hookup is functioning correctly and up to code, your inspections will be smooth, your approvals will be fast, and you won’t have to worry about surprise shutdowns. That stability alone is worth the small investment in a proper setup from the start.
If you own the building, a code-compliant sewer connection can also increase the resale and leasing value of the property. If you choose to lease the building, a legal sewer hookup can protect you from certain tenant lawsuits.
Never assume the previous owner handled the sewer correctly
The biggest mistake business owners make is assuming a prior owner handled everything correctly. Never trust verbal assurances in the absence of permits and inspection reports. Even if something looks right, it might be incorrectly installed or created to residential specifications.
Permits and paperwork will save you later
Having documentation of a permitted, inspected sewer system is crucial for every business owner. You need proof of code compliance in case something fails to avoid lawsuits brought by the city.
Without the right documentation, if there’s a problem, the city will assume it’s your fault. That means you’ll have to pay for the investigation, repairs, and work to bring everything up to code within a tight deadline.
Missing permits can also kill refinancing opportunities and void insurance coverage for water damage. Without proper permits and inspection reports, you’ll have a hard time selling in the future.
Shortcuts aren’t worth it
Business owners who delay or skip proper sewer hookups usually end up regretting it later when the fines start rolling in after a failed inspection or emergency. Actions that began as a way to save money turn into expensive lessons on the importance of compliance.
Code-compliant sewer infrastructure isn’t optional. If you cut corners, it will be one of the most expensive mistakes you’ll ever make.
