When a plumbing problem hits a business, the repair bill is only part of the cost. A backed-up restroom, a ceiling leak or a failed drain line can slow your work and upset customers, and some shut a business down for the day.
That is why the plumber you choose matters. Many plumbing companies focus mostly on residential work and have only minimal experience with commercial systems. Here is what to look for.
Commercial plumbing is a different job
Commercial buildings have more fixtures, higher demand and more complex systems than a typical home. That means more places for problems to start and less tolerance for downtime. A plumber who is comfortable in a commercial setting understands that, and plans the work to get you back up and running.
Our commercial plumbing work covers businesses across the Wilmington area, and other plumbing companies have sent commercial customers to us when they could not resolve an issue.
What to look for in a commercial plumber
The right license
Ask whether the company is licensed for commercial work, and check the answer yourself. The NC State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors has a public Verify License Search where you can look up a contractor’s license. East Atlantic Plumbing is a licensed plumbing company, and we handle residential, commercial and industrial plumbing.
Real experience
Ask how long they have worked on commercial properties. We have provided residential, industrial and commercial plumbing services since 1985, and our team includes master and journeyman plumbers who have been through extensive training.

Equipment that finds the cause
Commercial problems are often hidden in walls, floors or underground lines. A company with diagnostic equipment, including plumbing camera inspection, can find the cause faster and avoid unnecessary work. Our team can perform a plumbing camera inspection to see inside your lines.
Emergency response
Plumbing problems do not wait for business hours. Ask whether the company offers after-hours service and whether a real person will answer. We offer emergency plumbing for situations that happen after business hours.
Communication
You want a plumber who explains your options and gives you transparent pricing. We are a family-owned company, and we treat every client like family, with honesty and integrity on every call.
Commercial services to ask about
A capable commercial plumber should be able to help with the full range of work your property might need. Our commercial services include:
- Commercial leak detection.
- Commercial plumbing installation.
- Commercial drain cleaning.
- Commercial plumbing repairs.
- Commercial plumbing inspections.
- Commercial plumbing replacement.
- Emergency plumbing for after-hours problems.
See details on commercial plumbing repairs and commercial plumbing inspections.


Lift stations
Some commercial and industrial properties use a lift station to pump wastewater uphill when gravity cannot do the job. Most homes do not have one. A lift station needs regular maintenance and inspections, or a failure can shut a building down. If your property has one, ask any plumber you consider whether they work on it. We provide lift station services in the Wilmington area.
Inspections catch problems early
A regular plumbing inspection can catch small issues early and give you a better picture of your system. Learn more about how to avoid commercial plumbing problems.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are you licensed for commercial work, and what does your license cover?
- How long have you worked on commercial properties?
- Do you offer after-hours emergency service?
- What diagnostic tools do you use?
- Can you help with drain cleaning, leak detection, repairs and replacement, or only some of them?
- How will you keep disruption to my business to a minimum?
We serve businesses in Wilmington, Leland, Castle Hayne and Porters Neck, as well as the surrounding New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender County areas.
Frequently asked questions
Do you handle commercial plumbing in Wilmington?
Yes. We have provided commercial, industrial and residential plumbing services since 1985.
What commercial services do you offer?
We offer commercial leak detection, installation, drain cleaning, repairs, inspections and replacement, plus emergency plumbing for after-hours problems.
Do you offer emergency service for businesses?
Yes. We offer emergency plumbing for situations that happen after business hours.
Do you work on lift stations?
Yes. We provide services related to lift stations throughout the Wilmington area.
Are you licensed for commercial work?
Yes. We are a licensed plumbing company and we handle residential, industrial and commercial plumbing. You can look up any contractor’s license on the NC plumbing board’s Verify License Search.
Need a commercial plumber you can count on?
Call East Atlantic Plumbing at (910) 616-3238, available 24/7 for urgent problems. You can also contact us online to schedule an appointment for your business.