Gainesville is unincorporated western Prince William County, so Prince William Water provides water and sewer and the County's Building Development Division issues permits. Its commercial buildings are mostly newer, built during growth since the mid-1990s, so the work centers on restaurants, retail build-outs and backflow tests. Call the number on this page to be connected with a local plumber in Gainesville.
What shapes commercial plumbing in Gainesville
Gainesville was a railroad and farm crossroads at I-66 and U.S. 29 until rapid growth from the mid-1990s brought subdivisions and large shopping centers. Only about 4% of homes in ZIP 20155 were built before 1980, and the 2000s were the biggest building decade. Older pipe is rarely the problem here; busy kitchens, high-traffic restrooms and tenant turnover are.
Prince William Water serves the area, and its planning materials note that much of its rural-area demand falls within Gainesville-Wellington. Most of its water is bought from Fairfax Water, while western customers may receive water treated at the City of Manassas plant from Lake Manassas. It rates its East and West systems moderately hard, 3.5 to 7.0 grains per gallon. Wastewater from the western county goes to the Upper Occoquan Service Authority plant. The meter is Prince William Water's; lines and connections on private property belong to the owner. Customer Service is (703) 335-7950 and Emergency Dispatch is (703) 335-7990.
Permits come from the Prince William County Building Development Division, which covers unincorporated areas like Gainesville. Prince William Water's cross-connection program requires testable backflow devices to be tested at installation or repair and every year after, with results sent to its coordinator. Columbia Gas of Virginia and Washington Gas both operate in the county, so check the bill. If anyone smells gas, leave and call 911 and the gas company from outside.
Repair, replace or plan ahead
| Situation | Often a repair | Often a replacement or upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant drain line | Grease cleared by jetting | Interceptor too small for the kitchen |
| Restroom flush valves | Diaphragm or sensor service | Fixtures changed during a tenant build-out |
| Water heater | Thermostat, element or anode | Unit can't meet a new tenant's demand |
| Backflow assembly | Rubber parts and springs replaced | Body damaged by freezing |
Signs to watch
- Recertification notice for a backflow device
- Restaurant drains gurgling during peak hours
- Hot water shortages after a tenant change
- A wet patch between the meter box and the building
Seasonal notes
Winterize irrigation and backflow assemblies before the first hard freeze; summer concert and shopping crowds near the interchange put the most strain on restrooms and kitchens.
Commercial Plumbing questions in Gainesville
Who owns the water line between the meter and the building?
How can a restaurant keep grease from clogging its lines?
Which office handles commercial plumbing and gas permits for our address?
Who pays for plumbing repairs in a leased commercial space?
More plumbing services in Gainesville
Commercial Plumbing nearby
Sources
- Prince William Water presentation to the county Sustainability Commission
- Prince William Water: water treatment facilities
- Prince William Water: water hardness information
- Prince William Water: residential customers FAQ
- Prince William Water: backflow prevention and cross-connection control
- Prince William County Development Services: areas we serve
- Prince William County annex, Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan
- Gainesville ZIP 20155 housing by year built
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